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This is one of the most practical and logical things I have come upon. Nancy Pelosi will be giggling all over the house. It's not as if it is a secret, lots of people are already aware of them but not a lot of emphasis has been made on their behalf. But take the time to read this and think.
Some of these bikes have been in production for the past several years now and more are beginning to build them. Schwinn displayed theirs on January 9 at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The potential for saving millions of barrels of oil, reducing the atmospheric polution and such other goodies, is great.
Some of these can be propelled altogether by pedaling, assisted by the electric motor, or by the motor alone. So one can get excercise but rely on the motor if he tires. Consider the reduction in gasoline consumption if everyone only used these bikes just for short trips such as to the mall, the grocery store, etc. Or for commuting to work where it is near enough.
Let's look at some of these bikes and see what all they offer. Schwinn's new "Tailwind" electric bike is powered by a Toshiba ponominal, 250Watt maximum motor. This bike carries a 2 year or 20,000 mile warranty. It sounds like a really good bike but the price is rather outrageous, as far I am concerned, at $3,199! wer pack SCiB (Super Charge ion Battery) which reportedly can be recharged in thirty minutes, whereas most batteries take 4 hours. With a 24Volt 180Watt
The new Rayos electric bike is a successor to the "ElecTrek" and the "Lashout" models and sounds good also, although quite different to the Schwinn. It has a full suspension frame similar to the Currie bike (built prior to 2006) but has a better battery system, a motorcycle type double legged kick stand, It uses a 24 volt, 14 amp lead-acid battery which powers a high-end 600-watt MAC Hi-Torque Brushless Motor that climbs hills and accelerates quite well. This bike automatically shuts off the motor when the battery reaches 80% discharged. This feature is to protect the lead-acid battery, all of which are subject to being damaged when allowed to be totally discharged. Another positive factor with this bike is that it is one of the lowest priced I have found with a retail price of $1,200. The battery will carry you 12 miles per charge with only the motor furnishing the power, up to 25 miles if you help it by pedaling. Top speed, 18 MPH.
Yongyang CEMOTA Ltd. is a Chinese exporter who builds a number of electric powered products, from bicycles to scooters, batteries, etc. They have some attractive products and are of very much interest. But, I've been unable to find prices, dealers or precise details of their products. The photos are nice looking, but that is about as far as I can expound upon them. They very well may be more competitively priced. To see their products Click Here.
Gomier Electric's battery powered tricycle (above right) is a neat vehicle especially for old codgers like myself who might break bones if they fell on a bike. This trike has a carrier basket behind the seat, and atop the battery, for transporting groceries or other miscellany. The pictured Gomier is a full sized 24 inch trike with a rugged 450 watt, 24 volt high torque brush motor. It uses a 24 volt, 20 amp sealed lead-acid battery. A fully charged battery will take you 8 to 10 miles, or even up to 25 miles if you assist by pedaling. And you can buy it for $1,299 online.
There is much to be said in favor of these vehicles at this point in time. I am one who does not believe, for one minute, that global warming is man made. I do know for a fact however, that our carbon and soot emissions are polluting our air and that our dependence upon foreign oil is a hazard we ought to remedy. It is taking billions of our dollars each year and fattening our enemies. Our capabilities of producing alternative energies are good, but producing them quickly at levels that are not cost prohibitive, is not good. While we do more research and development on these sources of energy, we need relief from foreign oil dependency.
I realize that there are not enough of us who will buy and use these electrical products to eliminate our dependency on foreign oil, but if enough would, it could certainly put a noticeable dent in it. Not only that, it would lower our individual monthly expenses. For us older characters, it might even save our lives. I'm pretty sure I can see better out of a 15 mph bicycle than I can out of my Voyager van at 65-70 mph. The occasional pedaling could encourage a platelate or two of vitamin enriched blood to reach our extremities also. Who knows, I might be built like Arnold Schwarzenegger yet. I suggest to you that these would pay for them selves within 24 months if used properly. But don't do like the lady who had her house insulated on the advice of a salesman and never paid for it. When pressed, she told them the saleman had advised her that it would pay for itself. I won't even mention her hair color.
A word of caution, if you should consider and purchase one of these, buy your self a good lock and chain to carry with you. Otherwise if you leave one parked outside the mall, you will walk home carrying your purchases. That's awful, isn't it? I can remember the days when it would have been just like a good horse, standing there waiting for you.
    
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