I have a friend who's been pedaling to work for about 5 months now. The commute is just a little too long for him. It's been taking him an hour and 10-20 minutes to go each way, and he's been exhausted all the time. After I bought my Ezip, he started to get interested. I kept giving him stats on rides and info about the bike. A few weeks later, he bought one. He got it this week, and it has cut his commute time by 30-40 minutes each way. He's still pedaling, breathing hard, and sweating, but not for so long. He seems pretty happy with this solution right now.

Meanwhile, I've noticed a lot more motorized bicycles on the road in the past year. There is also a shop that popped up to deal scooters and electric bicycles ("real" electric bicycles and not scooters disguised as bicycles).

I love to see all these changes. More and more people are getting a clue.

I almost got run over by one of these electric hybrids last night on my way from class. They really are quiet, they probably make less noise than most bikes. I kinda want one.

You would like me. The Ezip makes some noise.

Actually, I think this is one of the issues that will arise with all of this. All these new-to-cycling electric cyclists need to learn some rules of the road. That includes making ones's self known when approaching another cyclist from behind, passing on the left, etc.

We've been seeing similar changes here in Michigan. We opened our shop about a year ago and most people weren't even aware electric bicycles existed. But we've done tons of work and the word is spreading fast. People come in almost everyday saying they talked to "so-and-so" with one of our e-bikes or heard about us from somewhere else. It's especially gratifying when you see one of your customers zipping along the side of the street with people staring in confusion. Seeing more and more of our customers on the road these days

That happened on a pedestrian walkway actually. All I heard was a very faint whoosh-woosh-woosh as the guy passed me. A small electronic synthesizer to project a gentle humming sound would have enabled me to hear him coming, but by far its biggest fascination for me was how amazingly quiet it was (so I guess the artificial sound idea would kind of work against its awe and appeal).

I've had a couple of younger cyclists (both fit, young men) ride along by me asking questions about my electric conversion kit. Both are interested in assist on the mountain hills here (makes me feel better to know younger riders find the hills here difficult). There are many cycling in this poor valley, including seniors, because of economic circumstances. If they need to go beyond the little towns in this valley then they have very few choices since mass transit is a luxury of urban/suburban areas. I'm glad Currie offers affordable options for people whose economic circumstances makes them stretch every penny as far as it will go. I suspect more may join those ranks in the coming decade, especially since economists predict that we'll never recover all the jobs we've lost in this recession. I hope Currie keeps offering affordable products, not just top of the line. There are many people who just can't afford an $800 or up e-bike.