e-bikes and micromobility
#1
Thread Starter
Newbie

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 40
Likes: 14
From: Central Ohio
Bikes: Ancheer folding e-bike, ancient Trek (24" wheels, modified for my back problem), Zizzo trailer, homemade trailer
e-bikes and micromobility
I'm older than I used to be and not bound to ideals about human power. So about six years ago I bought an electric bicycle, the cheapest I could find on Amazon that came with a rack and might fit. It gave me the help I needed to compensate for my asthma and COPD, and that cheap one is still holding up well with little maintenance. My medical person says to count the exercise just the same as long as I pedal. That makes it possible to fill in for transit on short trips, places transit doesn't go and recreational cycling. A couple of years ago, for various reasons, I bought an electric stand-up scooter (similar to the rentals) that gives me transportation on bad health or weather days I'd be reluctant to use either bike. There's basically no maintenance at all on that other than tire pressure.
I'd still use a car for long trips if I could afford to buy or rent one, but the e-bike and e-scooter have improved my car-free life.
Others' experiences?
I'd still use a car for long trips if I could afford to buy or rent one, but the e-bike and e-scooter have improved my car-free life.
Others' experiences?
#2
Tinker-er



Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 1,580
From: Mid-Atlantic
Bikes: 1956 Rudge; 1981 Miyata; 1994 Breezer; 1987 Raleigh Mtn Trials; 1952 R.O. Harrison; 1994 Concorde; 1949 Rotrax; 1964 A.S. Gillott; Early 60s Frejus; ~1979 RRB track; Unknown Interwar track
E bikes and scooters, along with regular bicycles, scooters, skateboards, tricycles, unicycles, and pogo sticks, all have a place in the modern commute. I like the word "micromobility." Here in Philly, the city is WAY overcrowded with cars, and I'm part of that problem, so I ride as much as possible. That said, much of the population here drives a car for very small scale mobility. Within the city limits, the average driver's speed is just under 13mph and the average commute is less than 8 miles. That speed and distance can be met with a bicycle and with an E bike even easier. The 8 mile figure means that a person wouldn't even need to recharge during the day before the trip home.
#3
I have been using a power assist bike for a few years. I bought it for my wife so she could use it to shuttle around our daughter, little did I know that I would be the one doing most of the shuttling, or I would have chosen a color other than pink. But it works well enough, and I do admit that I get a workout on it. I use it so much that last night I realized I hadn’t started my car in more than a month, so I took it out for a drive to warm it up.
#4
Thread Starter
Newbie

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 40
Likes: 14
From: Central Ohio
Bikes: Ancheer folding e-bike, ancient Trek (24" wheels, modified for my back problem), Zizzo trailer, homemade trailer
I have a friend here in Ohio. She is strictly a car traveler here, but she's attended conferences in Philly and was unwilling to drive there. She used transit.
#6
Yep
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 74
Likes: 35
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bikes: Gianni Motta road bike, old Diamondback MTB converted to a touring bike, and a GT MTB converted to an e-bike
I use most of the above: e bike with a trailer for groceries and errands, regular bike if I don't have to haul anything, motorcycle for roads where I feel unsafe on a bicycle, a car if it's the only option, and some public transportation - trains, planes, and buses mostly for travel to far-flung places.
#7
Bicyclist

Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 62
Likes: 3
I have over 30,000 miles on an e-bike hub kit. Then another 15,000 on a pedal bike. Lots of tires worn out. I've seen lots of car accidents riding my bike. I always feel safer on my bike. And no stress sitting at a red light in traffic burning up all your gas. The clerks at the grocery store probably think I'm a bum but that's ok.





