I would like to discuss here, why Electric Bikes aren't more popular.

 

Think of the unbelievable hype that surrounds Tesla Motors. Even at a price of $70-100k these electric cars became a hit and a status symbol. Tesla announced that soon they would have electric cars available in the $35k range.

 

However, Electric Bikes have been available for a lot longer, are cheaper and are so much more versatile. You can park them pretty much anywhere. You can take them on trains and put them on racks behind cars and even on public buses. You can take advantage of short cuts on different types of terrain and utilize bike paths or trails, possibly of any sort depending on your state or city's laws. They might not seem cost effective but if you plan on using them regularly, in the long run it would seem to have advantages over more complex, heavier and more powerful vehicles in terms of cost, time and headache spent on maintenance, insurance, licensing, fees, permitted parking, access, etc. It's also great way to reduce your carbon foot print.

 

Apparently these things are a huge hit China and other industrial, developing countries. Even though there are a few companies who do manufacture these and sell them in America, I'm thinking that what probably deters manufacturers and consumers from them is simply the complicated yet vague legal status which makes it seem to risky to take seriously but laws are able to be changed. Here is what I found regarding the legal status of Electric Bikes for Ohio:

 

The Ohio Revised Code 4511.01 [103] distinguishes motorized bicycles and mopeds from motorcycles or scooters by describing them as "...any vehicle having either two tandem wheels or one wheel in the front and two wheels in the rear, that is capable of being pedaled and is equipped with a helper motor of not more than fifty cubic centimeters piston displacement that produces no more than one brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of no greater than twenty miles per hour on a level surface." One brake horsepower converts to 0.75kW, or (rounded) 750W. Thus, a bicycle with an electric helper motor operating under 750W, and not propelling the bicycle over 20mph, does not qualify to be registered under Ohio state law. Local jurisdictions may have other regulations.

 

I tried to look up the legal status of them online for also Cleveland and Shaker Heights since I live right on the border but I couldn't find ANYTHING.

 

Do you think confusion over legal status and regulations are the reason why?

 

This all just happened to come to mind because I was thinking about the idea of saving up to buy one of these  and happened to find some really cool E-Bikes online. The attached file shows one that is particularly bad-ss[/member], it looks like an Enduro racing bike built for speed and not for adhering to your state's safety regulations while driving on the road but even that fancy one is less than $2000.

 

This youtube link below shows a more practical one more suitable for the city and able to adhere to state and local regulations.

 

 

 

Why don't you see these everywhere?  :wtf:

 

They are very expensive and easy to steal would be my guess. Besides that the technology for them has only recently gotten good enough to make them viable. It's no surprise they haven't caught on yet.

I think that these are going to be a game changer for Cincinnati's hill neighborhoods. They could allow a car free commute into the basin whereas today it is hard to bike up to even to the lower hillside streets like lower Klotter, Peete, Mulberry, Milton etc. But I agree that theft is a HUGE concern given the price tag. You would almost need a secured place to put it wherever you went.

Probably because most Americans are used to a car-centric lifestyle and don't want to change unless there's a really, really good reason (in their mind). Electric cars are essentially no different than regular cars for these people. But using a bike for your day-to-day transportation needs is a foreign concept to them.

Its strange that  i was just contemplating the of the art of electric bikes for mountain biking. I was thinking since i live fairly close to some mtn bike trails maybe i should get an electric bike to journey to them instead of driving my car.  It does seem very promising technology. So now that i know what to look for, i'll see if there are people using them.  The riding times i see online of people hitting the course are double my speed. That seems insanely fast without some electric motor helping, not that i am in peak physical condition. I also know that if there is a way to use technology to get an advantage, people absolutely will.  Another thing to note is that a good mtn bike costs around $2500. These cost about the same range.

I think that these are going to be a game changer for Cincinnati's hill neighborhoods. They could allow a car free commute into the basin whereas today it is hard to bike up to even to the lower hillside streets like lower Klotter, Peete, Mulberry, Milton etc. But I agree that theft is a HUGE concern given the price tag. You would almost need a secured place to put it wherever you went.

 

I have some friends who bought electric bikes. Live just out of the basin and went from two cars to one (selling the car paid for the bikes in full). They are big proponents and ride them everywhere.

 

I would purchase one, but I live in a four story walk up and they weight almost as much as a RedBike, so it would be a pain to carry them up and down the stairs everynight for charging. They are, however, incredibly fun to ride.