HOW E-BIKES
WORK
E-bikes (electric bikes) work by assisting your
pedalling. Electric bikes are everyday bicycles with an added battery-powered electric
motor. Although capable of pushing you along without your help, electric bikes
perform noticeably better when you pedal. The average “couch potato” who normally
rides at 15kmph can ride at 24-30kmph using the same effort.
Do you remember that easy pedalling after you get your bike
up to speed? That is the cruising feeling you get all the time
with an electric bike.
For personal travel between 7km and 40km per day, the
electric bicycle offers the lowest environmental and personal monetary cost, usually without
increasing urban travel time.
We have a full range of modern reliable electric bikes designed in the USA.
For some examples, check out the
iZip
Electric Folding Shopper
(PDF, 409KB) and the
iZip Hybrid
Electric Bike
(PDF, 464KB).
A more comprehensive brochure is also available - see the
iZip Catalogue
(PDF, 2MB). (Please note, not all models are available in New Zealand yet). Please contact us
if you have a specific requirement.
ADVANTAGES OF AN
E-BIKE
Hill
Climbing
That may sound obvious, but it’s the primary
advantage. A good electric bike effectively flattens hills, increasing your average speed
and eliminating the groan factor when a gradient comes into view. Provided you supply
a reasonable amount of effort, you can expect to climb hills of 1 in 10 (10%) on an electric bike
with ease, and clear a maximum gradient of 1 in 7 (14%) or much more. In hilly
terrain, the effect is nothing short of miraculous.
Safety
It sounds unlikely, doesn’t it? But the mathematics
is compelling. Think of a steep and busy road, with cars climbing at
40kmph. If you previously slogged up the hill at 9-10kmph, but you can tackle the
same gradient at 17-18kmph, with an electric bike you will see 33% fewer cars.
The same principles apply to road junctions, the faster your
acceleration, the sooner you can get out of trouble. And with no need to rush the hills,
you won’t be tempted to ride downhill at breakneck speed – another useful safety feature.
Personal
Fitness
Surely a conventional bike will keep you fitter?
That, of course, depends how much - if at all – you use it. Research has found that
46% of conventional bikes are used only once or twice a week, with a further 30% being used once a
fortnight or even less. 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.
These figures confirm our experience that an electric bike
typically gets used at least twice as often as a conventional bike.
Because riding an electric bike is a great deal more
enjoyable in hilly country, into strong winds, or when carrying heavy loads, users tend to make
better use of them. The motor provides up to half the effort, but more regular use means
more exercise for the rider.
No
Sweat
Sweat may not be a serious issue when you are out for a
leisure ride, but its more important if you are cycling to work. Many places of work do not
provide showers and other facilities for cyclists and may, never will. An electric
bike eliminates the problem at source. In hot weather, its possible to maintain a
normal schedule by transferring a bit more load to the electric motor. In colder
weather – or if you feel in need of more exercise – just throttle back, or turn the motor off.
Clean &
Green
Electric bikes obviously consume energy, where a conventional
bike does not. However, the amount of energy used is very small compared to a moped,
motorcycle or car. Besides fuel, the only consumables are the batteries, and these
can normally be recycled when life-expired. As for energy use, electric bikes
typically consume fuel at an average rate of 100 to 150 watts of electrical energy, against 15,000
or so for a car (admittedly travelling much faster).
Faster
Travel
In theory a car can average a high speed, but in practise
speed often falls below 15kmph in cities. The problem is congestion – motorcycles get
around this to some extent, but they are still confined to the road network. An
electric bike can maintain a higher average speed than a bicycle but take advantage of the same
network of cycle facilities, giving access to routes that cars and motorcycles cannot
reach. The result is often a faster door-to-door journey time than any other
mode. By taking advantage of the uncongested cycle network, but eliminating hills and
headwinds, electric bikes are often the most consistent mode of transport.
High Resale
Value
Electric bikes are new technology, and its early days yet,
but the evidence points to a much better resale value than a conventional bike.
Motorised – But No Red
Tape
Electric bikes are treated just like ordinary bicycles for
legislative purposes, so there is absolutely no registration or legislation to worry about.
You are of course free to insure the machine if you wish, but there is no compulsion to do anything
but enjoy yourself.