The smart Trick of folding e-bike That No One is Discussing
The other day I visited the library in the large town next to ours and noticed an elderly lady, locking up an electric bike before entering the library. Since my husband bought a rechargeable electric bike a couple of years ago, I struck up a conversation with her to find out how she liked her bike. It was a folding model, and she told me that she carried it in the back of her small van all the time. When she found herself having to park several blocks from her intended destination, she pulled out her bike and, as in the case of her trip to the library, the books she was returning, and in a few minutes arrived outside the library door.
What a great idea.
For several years, I have been toying with the idea of getting an electric bike for myself. My husband bought one to keep up with the grandkids when they go biking during our annual vacation to Diamond Lake in central Oregon, and he loves sailing along behind them with little or no effort (or in front of them if he feels in a competitive mood.) I usually stick around the campground, pedaling my old 3-speed bike with coaster brakes only as far as my legs will allow before turning back to park myself in a chaise lounge overlooking the lake to read until the adventurers return.
A folding electric bike would really be perfect for me. I have checked out a few since my encounter with the library lady. Most have good sized baskets in front-something essential to anyone who plans to travel a bike trail with 3 grandchildren who, without fail, shed sweaters, billfolds, hats, sunglasses, and all kinds of other paraphernalia along the way. "Grandma, would you carry this?" "Grandma, please hold this for me." Grandma soon ends up becoming the pack mule for the group.
Luckily, even my old pedal bike has a basket attached. Everyone knows that a woman never leaves home without her purse, but have you ever tried carrying a purse while riding a bicycle? A bit awkward to say the least. Bike-riding women definitely need baskets on their bikes.
Folding electric bikes are a little more expensive than non-folding ones, but, if you are like me, you will probably keep it forever so it should be worth paying a little extra for in the beginning.
You can probably find one costing as little as $600, but most are in the $900-$ 1400 range. If you want an ion-lithium battery instead of the older lead-acid kind, you can expect the price to be higher, but the increased efficiency and the lighter overall weight will make it worth a few extra dollars. If you were able to replace your family's second car with an electric bike, just think of how much money you could save.
With gasoline prices on the rise, there has never been a better time to look into the advantages of owning an electric bike. And, while you are looking, don't forget to check out the folding ones. Some fold down as small as 30 x 30 x 17 inches, and come with an attractive carrying case. That's so small you could tote one to town with you on the city bus.
It's my guess, that if you ending up purchasing a folding electric bike for yourself, it won't be long before you'll be telling people you never leave home without it.
The other day I visited the library in the large town next to ours and noticed an elderly lady, locking up an electric bike before entering the library. Since my husband bought a rechargeable electric bike a couple of years ago, I struck up a conversation with her to find out how she liked her bike. It was a folding model, and she told me that she carried it in the back of her small van all the time. Then, when she found herself having to park several blocks from her intended destination, she pulled out her bike and, as in the case of her trip to the library, the books she was returning, and in a few minutes arrived outside the library door.
What a great idea.
For several years, I have been toying with the idea of getting an electric bike for myself. My husband bought one to keep up with the grandkids when they go biking during our annual vacation to Diamond Lake in central Oregon, and he loves sailing along behind them with little or no effort (or in front of them if he feels in a competitive mood.) I usually stick around the campground, pedaling my old 3-speed bike with coaster brakes only as far as my legs will allow before turning back to park myself in a chaise lounge overlooking the lake to read until the adventurers return.
A folding electric bike would really be perfect for me. I have checked out a few since my encounter with the library lady. Most have good sized baskets in front-something essential to anyone who plans to travel a bike trail with 3 grandchildren who, without fail, shed sweaters, billfolds, hats, sunglasses, and all kinds of other paraphernalia along the way. "Grandma, would you carry this?" "Grandma, please hold this for me." Grandma soon ends up becoming the pack mule for the group.
Luckily, even my old pedal bike has a basket attached. Everyone knows that a woman never leaves home without her purse, but have you ever tried carrying a purse while riding a bicycle? A bit awkward to say the least. Bike-riding women definitely need baskets on their bikes.
Folding electric bikes are a little more expensive than non-folding ones, but, if you are like me, you will probably keep it forever so it should be worth paying a little extra for in the beginning.
You can probably find one costing as little as $600, but most are in the $900-$ 1400 range. If you want an ion-lithium battery instead of the older lead-acid kind, you can expect the price to be higher, but the increased efficiency and the lighter overall weight will make it worth a few extra dollars. Just think of how much money you could save if you were able to replace your family's second car with an electric bike.
With gasoline prices on the rise, there has never been a better time to look into the advantages of owning an electric bike. And, while you are looking, don't check here forget to check out the folding ones. Some fold down as small as 30 x 30 x 17 inches, and come with an attractive carrying case. That's so small you could tote one to town with you on the city bus.
It's my guess, that if you ending up purchasing a folding electric bike for yourself, it won't be long before you'll be telling people you never leave home without it.
Since my husband bought a rechargeable electric bike a couple of years ago, I struck up a conversation with her to find out how she liked her bike. The other day I visited the library in the large town next to ours and noticed an elderly lady, locking up an electric bike before entering the library. Since my husband bought a rechargeable electric bike a couple of years ago, I struck up a conversation with her to find out how she liked her bike. By contrast, a recent survey of electric bicycle owners reveals that a third ride their bike at least once a day and 81% use the bike at least once a week (c).
Electric bikes obviously consume energy, where a conventional bikes does not (provided we ignore the environmental cost of growing and processing food - see below).