Electric bicycles cruise into town
Move over, hybrid cars. Electric bicycles may soon gain momentum as the next big thing in eco-friendly travel.
A cross between a scooter and a traditional bike, the electric bicycle, commonly known as the e-bike, allows riders to propel themselves by pushing the pedals or gunning a battery-powered motor, or through a combination of both.
Most e-bikes have many of the same features as a traditional bicycle, including a metal frame, pedals, gears and handlebar-mounted brakes. The differences become apparent, however, when a rider turns on the e-bike's battery and twists its scooter-like throttle to move.
Topping out at speeds of 20 mph on motor power alone, the e-bikes can reach nearly 40 mph when using pedaling and motor power.
For several months, Ken Alder, owner of River Bicycles, 12 Riversville Road, has been offering test rides to customers on two newly released e-bike models at his shop in hopes of generating local consumer interest in the products.
His target customers are those who enjoy bike riding, he said, but have trouble with distances or are intimidated by steep hills. In Greenwich, the bikes are especially well-suited for riders who want to cruise scenic backcountry roads without having to contend with its steep slopes.
"This is not a wuss's bike. You're still going to have to pedal," Alder said. But while other bikers "huff and puff" their way up hills, he added, "you can just crank on the juice and enjoy the view. ... All of a sudden,
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Greenwich becomes Florida" in terms of terrain.
On Alder's e-bikes, a mounted battery powers a 1,000-watt "magnetic pulse" motor that runs for 20 miles on a single battery charge, or more than 40 miles when combining motor power and moderate pedaling, he said.
On most recent e-bike models, owners can detach the battery from the hub, where it is typically mounted, and recharge it by plugging into a wall socket for four to six hours. Older models often featured an external motor attached to the gear system, with circuitry embedded in the frame.
However, recent advances in the design - including hub-mounted motors, batteries and computer systems - have made the newer models more reliable and easier to operate, said Rob Koshar, manager of Greenwich Bicycles, 189 Greenwich Ave.
Prices for e-bikes range widely. "IZIP" models can be ordered online for as low as $700. In Greenwich, Dave's Cycle and Fitness, 78 Valley Road, also carries models by popular manufacturers Giant and Schwinn, which sell for $2,100 and under.
At Alder's shop, the two Electric Motor Systems "E+" models - one a cruiser, the other a mountain bike - go for $3,500 apiece.
While the higher prices may inspire sticker shock, Greenwich bike enthusiast Julian Ybarra said riders who substitute a pricey e-bike for their four-wheeled gas-guzzler as their primary mode of conveyance around town will realize long-term saving on fuel and car maintenance.
"It's going to pay back over time," said Ybarra, a competitive cyclist who is considering purchasing his own e-bike for leisure riding and weekend commutes in Greenwich. That, he added, "and you can use it to blow off your car."
Move over, hybrid cars. Electric bicycles may soon gain momentum as the next big thing in eco-friendly travel.
A cross between a scooter and a traditional bike, the electric bicycle, commonly known as the e-bike, allows riders to propel themselves by pushing the pedals or gunning a battery-powered motor, or through a combination of both.
Most e-bikes have many of the same features as a traditional bicycle, including a metal frame, pedals, gears and handlebar-mounted brakes. The differences become apparent, however, when a rider turns on the e-bike's battery and twists its scooter-like throttle to move.
Topping out at speeds of 20 mph on motor power alone, the e-bikes can reach nearly 40 mph when using pedaling and motor power.
For several months, Ken Alder, owner of River Bicycles, 12 Riversville Road, has been offering test rides to customers on two newly released e-bike models at his shop in hopes of generating local consumer interest in the products.
His target customers are those who enjoy bike riding, he said, but have trouble with distances or are intimidated by steep hills. In Greenwich, the bikes are especially well-suited for riders who want to cruise scenic backcountry roads without having to contend with its steep slopes.
"This is not a wuss's bike. You're still going to have to pedal," Alder said. But while other bikers "huff and puff" their way up hills, he added, "you can just crank on the juice and enjoy the view. ... All of a sudden,
Advertisement
GetAd('tile','box','/home_article','','www.greenwichtime.com','','null','null');
Greenwich becomes Florida" in terms of terrain.
On Alder's e-bikes, a mounted battery powers a 1,000-watt "magnetic pulse" motor that runs for 20 miles on a single battery charge, or more than 40 miles when combining motor power and moderate pedaling, he said.
On most recent e-bike models, owners can detach the battery from the hub, where it is typically mounted, and recharge it by plugging into a wall socket for four to six hours. Older models often featured an external motor attached to the gear system, with circuitry embedded in the frame.
However, recent advances in the design - including hub-mounted motors, batteries and computer systems - have made the newer models more reliable and easier to operate, said Rob Koshar, manager of Greenwich Bicycles, 189 Greenwich Ave.
Prices for e-bikes range widely. "IZIP" models can be ordered online for as low as $700. In Greenwich, Dave's Cycle and Fitness, 78 Valley Road, also carries models by popular manufacturers Giant and Schwinn, which sell for $2,100 and under.
At Alder's shop, the two Electric Motor Systems "E+" models - one a cruiser, the other a mountain bike - go for $3,500 apiece.
While the higher prices may inspire sticker shock, Greenwich bike enthusiast Julian Ybarra said riders who substitute a pricey e-bike for their four-wheeled gas-guzzler as their primary mode of conveyance around town will realize long-term saving on fuel and car maintenance.
"It's going to pay back over time," said Ybarra, a competitive cyclist who is considering purchasing his own e-bike for leisure riding and weekend commutes in Greenwich. That, he added, "and you can use it to blow off your car."
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