When I was younger we often "rode bikes" just to occupy ourselves, and when the time came to obtain a learners permit or drivers license the hobby was lost and save for dire circumstance not even considered as a viable model of transportation. This is not to say that every person out there (such as yours truly) started driving as soon as they could, but that is the model based on my experience. And who can blame anyone for wanting to drive over riding a bicycle? Unless you live in Kansas or Oklahoma ever ridge and hill is an exercise in more ways than one, gears "be danged" a hill requires a typically unattractive level of exertion.
Something that is not a new concept, but one that is gaining popularity as of 2017 are the utilization of "hybrid electric bicycles" or "e-bikes". This modified style of conveyance is considered to be a more and more practical form of transportation, as pollution and traffic become a more common concern.
The typical e-bike is considered a "hybrid bicycle" because it can be operated either via pedaling it (like a standard bike) with a pedal assist (kinda of like a gear system) or as full on electric propulsion system (like a moped). This not only allows persons who might like to "be more eco-friendly" to consider bikes as a real alternative for their regular commute but it skirts some "legal hiccups". For example in most municipalities, a bike lane is meant for "non-motorized vehicles" and if for example, someone drove their 49CC moped in the bike lane they would be in violation of the law. The same consideration applies to an electric motor, but because the bike can be operated entirely by pedaling it usually gets around that regulation, provided the user doesn't operate the motor while in a "bike lane". (Although pedal assist is kind of a "gray area" in that regard, what about getting up a steep hill?)
E-bikes are considered to be getting cheaper, but by and large, most models are currently over $1,000. When one considers these as a "vehicle" then the price could be considered reasonable by most standards but for myself, it's still way out of my budget. (Comparable price to a "Cannondale" or another racing bike.) Presumably, the primary market base for this item are "desk professionals in heavily populated cities". Consider if one lived in Portland, Oregon or San Francisco, California and every day from 7-10AM the morning commute it to put it politely "gridlock purgatory", and it doesn't help there is often a wreck on the local freeway. If hills weren't a factor anymore would you prefer to sit in traffic in a comfortable automobile or brave the weather and just be where you wanted to go quickly? Is a combination of public transportation and a bicycle considerable? And with these factors in mind, is over $1,000 dollars reasonable? Is this just another fad? I am on the fence, I would love to see bicycles become a more common method of transportation here in the U.S. but I just don't see it becoming a "national trend" that is here to stay. (Prove me, wrong folks, please!)
Thank for reading, please feel free to comment below I appreciate the dialogue. Do you personally think e-bikes are a good alternative to cars?
Guest, Bob Roman, Don DiCostanzo/Pedego, Al Mayberry, Hugh, Brad Sloan, Folliguet, GB, Charles Halberstam, Lee Raesly, and JB. "The State of the Electric Bicycle Market."Electric Bike Report | Electric Bike, Ebikes, Electric Bicycles, E Bike, Reviews. MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDING COM LLC., 19 Sept. 2016. Web. 17 July 2017. <https://electricbikereport.com/the-state-of-the-electric-bicycle-market/>. Resource noting some consideration and further information regarding "e-bikes".
