I’ve the most intimate recollections of soaring down a neighborhood hill on my blue, nonage bike. I was a intrepid sprat who took frequent, unplanned passages to the exigency room, and although I had a deep love for that bike, I ’m certain it kept my mama up at night. As with too numerous effects in life, time passed and I traded in that blue bike for a blue automobile.
In verity, I’ve only ridden a bike a sprinkle of times in my adult life. On a recent trip to Miami Beach, a friend told me we’d be renting electric bikes(e-bikes) to make a casual five- afar trip into the megacity. I was nervous, not only because I had n’t been on a bike in further than five times, but in the reverse of my mind I was n’t sure I ’d be suitable to ride one. As it turns out,e-bikes are a accessible way to move and are ‘ just like riding a bike. ’
This week, I sat down with ThaddeusSt. John, proprietor of Lincoln & Main Electric Bike Café and Winery to bandy electric bikes.
‘ When you pedal, they go ’
Thaddeus beamed as he explained to me how analogouse-bikes are to traditional bikes. “ The difference of course is the added electric battery- powered motor. ” This motor aids cyclists either by making it easier to pedal( pedal help), or on some models a throttle, with the motor furnishing backing up to a certain speed.
A standarde-bike can transport roughly 200 pounds and has battery capacity ranging from 20 to 50 long hauls depending on thee-bike and riding style. Cargoe-bikes have heavier frames designed to hold overhead of 500 pounds, but with analogous avail capacity, makinge-bikes a feasible option for all transportation needs.
When asked about who was copping e-bikes, Thaddeus expressed that “ no bone
demographic is copping e-bikes right now. Everyone from youthful families to retirees, to folks looking for a cleanser, easier way to exercise have made a purchase. ”
Thaddeus is most agitated about the future of thee-bike assiduity. “ With new technologies like internal capitals, nonstop gear shifts, and bettered towing capacities of over to 600 pounds, the possibilities for sports, recreation, and indeed hunting are endless. ”
Thaddeus did admit there are some challenges the assiduity will face over the coming times. structure planning and advocacy for illustration, are crucial in creating state-wide policy to encourage the mode shift down from vehicle- centric highways. further indifferent highways like those designed using Complete thoroughfares programs( detailed in last week’s Our Sustainable megacity column), especially those in pastoral communities will help to guide this shift.
Why you should make the switch to an e-bike
E-bikes are a zero emigration volition to gas- powered vehicles and save us plutocrat on energy and carbon emigrations. Biking is also a low impact exercise furnishing benefits like bettered cardiovascular health and dropped stress situations. E-bikes are also bring effective with standarde-bikes starting at roughly$,500 for base models and taking only “ standard bike conservation ” according to Thaddeus.
Rebate programs like South Portland’s Electrify Everything! has helped residers make this transition.
Eventually, we ’re working to produce a mode shift down from vehicle transportation ande-bikes are a great occasion for everyone to join in.