Well I guess you guys got my creative juices flowing. Since the big hurdle you guys have identified is battery life I've got your solution.

eBike Patent Idea: An alcohol powered generator that would charge the batteries.

True you'd have to stop every once in a while at a hardware/pharmacy/liquor store (e-85 stations too) but just long enough pour in a couple of gallons. I'm thinking any US legal issues would be resolved with an alliance with politicians from the agriculture states that make the alcohol.

Optional Idea: Worldwide hydraulic fracturing is making natural gas cheap enough that might be a way to go: NatGasGen, oh yeah!