Comments on: SF Supervisors Chiu and Mirkarimi Ride the Electric Bike Wave http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/15/sf-supervisors-chiu-and-mirkarimi-ride-the-electric-bike-wave/ Covering San Francisco's livable streets movement Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:15:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ron - NJ http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/15/sf-supervisors-chiu-and-mirkarimi-ride-the-electric-bike-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-133751 Ron - NJ Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:45:41 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=4751#comment-133751 Can you believe these are illegal in NJ and NYC? Also, they should not cost $2200. If you don't go for fancy alloy and status names like Trek and Fisher (try Mongoose and Currie), you can get a good one under $1000. Mine is an old Merida, which went for about $700 and has the same Panasonic drive system as in the article, except with lead acid batteries. Join the revolution! Can you believe these are illegal in NJ and NYC?

Also, they should not cost $2200. If you don’t go for fancy alloy and status names like Trek and Fisher (try Mongoose and Currie), you can get a good one under $1000. Mine is an old Merida, which went for about $700 and has the same Panasonic drive system as in the article, except with lead acid batteries.

Join the revolution!

]]> By: BC BionX rider http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/15/sf-supervisors-chiu-and-mirkarimi-ride-the-electric-bike-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-32401 BC BionX rider Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:40:11 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=4751#comment-32401 Good day, all! Thought I'd volunteer some experience based information to this little discussion. These are BionX equipped bikes so: Yes, they have regenerative charging. This features is available as a four-level user selectable controller console setting and/or automatically activated from a sensor in the the rear brake lever (Marcos/Mark). These are NOT mopeds (Barna Mink). Sure, a light rider on a PL-350 equipped bike might be able to ride the throttle alone up a fairly tame hill but it wont be at 14 MPH. Pedaling is required for any noteworthy uphill climbing speed. These bikes are speed limited and, rider dependant, won't be any more of a threat to you or other cyclists than a fast moving lycra clad roadie. Owners should expect to get 500+ charges (from dead empty) over the life of the battery. Mine has been going strong for over two years now (Jeffrey W. Baker). You can get the facts (and ignore the largely uninformed and hypothetical naysaying) here: http://www.bionx.ca/ B. Good day, all!

Thought I’d volunteer some experience based information to this little discussion. These are BionX equipped bikes so:

Yes, they have regenerative charging. This features is available as a four-level user selectable controller console setting and/or automatically activated from a sensor in the the rear brake lever (Marcos/Mark).

These are NOT mopeds (Barna Mink). Sure, a light rider on a PL-350 equipped bike might be able to ride the throttle alone up a fairly tame hill but it wont be at 14 MPH. Pedaling is required for any noteworthy uphill climbing speed. These bikes are speed limited and, rider dependant, won’t be any more of a threat to you or other cyclists than a fast moving lycra clad roadie.

Owners should expect to get 500+ charges (from dead empty) over the life of the battery. Mine has been going strong for over two years now (Jeffrey W. Baker).

You can get the facts (and ignore the largely uninformed and hypothetical naysaying) here: http://www.bionx.ca/

B.

]]> By: Sam Richardson http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/15/sf-supervisors-chiu-and-mirkarimi-ride-the-electric-bike-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-17291 Sam Richardson Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:37:51 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=4751#comment-17291 It looks like a converted bike rather than one designed to be an electric bike. I own a PEDEGO that was designed to be an electric bike. It is cool bike that gets lots of attention. It looks like a converted bike rather than one designed to be an electric bike. I own a PEDEGO that was designed to be an electric bike. It is cool bike that gets lots of attention.

]]> By: Dan http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/15/sf-supervisors-chiu-and-mirkarimi-ride-the-electric-bike-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-16471 Dan Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:00:13 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=4751#comment-16471 It is funny how the masses rag on ebikes as being ugly, too expensive, heavy, cheating, etc. Then, when a known high performance Brand name and a known pro rider give an endorsement, ebikes are suddenly cool...! ?? That's funny. I agree that one less car is better. For the uninformed traditionalist bikers, ebikes are on their way in. They come in many shapes, sizes, weights and abilities. FalconEv, posted above, is a pioneer and has good offerings. There are many DIY hobbyist, upstart companies and also some bad junk out there. I own an Optibike - Optibike.com Dan It is funny how the masses rag on ebikes as being ugly, too expensive, heavy, cheating, etc. Then, when a known high performance Brand name and a known pro rider give an endorsement, ebikes are suddenly cool…! ?? That’s funny. I agree that one less car is better.

For the uninformed traditionalist bikers, ebikes are on their way in. They come in many shapes, sizes, weights and abilities. FalconEv, posted above, is a pioneer and has good offerings. There are many DIY hobbyist, upstart companies and also some bad junk out there.

I own an Optibike – Optibike.com

Dan

]]> By: KEN SANDERS http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/15/sf-supervisors-chiu-and-mirkarimi-ride-the-electric-bike-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-15731 KEN SANDERS Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:58:42 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=4751#comment-15731 i am a dealer in canada for Bion X assists kits try one out on a Trek Navigator 2.0 great bike to install on less cost the the model described above interested in kit alone contact sandeskd@accesscomm.ca i will ship world wide and have done so . i am a dealer in canada for Bion X assists kits try one out on a Trek Navigator 2.0 great bike to install on less cost the the model described above interested in kit alone contact sandeskd@accesscomm.ca i will ship
world wide and have done so .

]]> By: jacob http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/15/sf-supervisors-chiu-and-mirkarimi-ride-the-electric-bike-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-15381 jacob Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:47:23 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=4751#comment-15381 The shop I work in received a few of these 2 weeks ago, I had my doubts in the beginning, but once I rode one I realize they are a pretty sweet setup. Electric bikes aren't for everyone, but if they help one more person get on a bike instead of in a car I'm all for it! The shop I work in received a few of these 2 weeks ago, I had my doubts in the beginning, but once I rode one I realize they are a pretty sweet setup. Electric bikes aren’t for everyone, but if they help one more person get on a bike instead of in a car I’m all for it!

]]> By: Jim http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/15/sf-supervisors-chiu-and-mirkarimi-ride-the-electric-bike-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-15111 Jim Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:59:46 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=4751#comment-15111 Yes, it has regenerative braking. Believe it uses Bionx electricals on a Trek FX 7.3 frame. These bikes would get all tore up in a Velib-style scheme. Yes, it has regenerative braking. Believe it uses Bionx electricals on a Trek FX 7.3 frame.

These bikes would get all tore up in a Velib-style scheme.

]]> By: Pat http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/15/sf-supervisors-chiu-and-mirkarimi-ride-the-electric-bike-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-14961 Pat Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:48:05 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=4751#comment-14961 I just hope they don't get run over by Carmen Chu or Gavin Newsom pulling into the bike lane in front of City Hall I just hope they don’t get run over by Carmen Chu or Gavin Newsom pulling into the bike lane in front of City Hall

]]> By: marcos http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/15/sf-supervisors-chiu-and-mirkarimi-ride-the-electric-bike-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-14941 marcos Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:49:27 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=4751#comment-14941 The difference is that you can't pedal a laptop with a dead battery, fallback to analog. The reason why many portable batteries die an early death is that they rarely are drawn down. If you don't use it, you lose it. I would imagine that with such a light weight, there is no regenerative braking on these bikes. -marc The difference is that you can’t pedal a laptop with a dead battery, fallback to analog.

The reason why many portable batteries die an early death is that they rarely are drawn down. If you don’t use it, you lose it.

I would imagine that with such a light weight, there is no regenerative braking on these bikes.

-marc

]]> By: Jeffrey W. Baker http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/15/sf-supervisors-chiu-and-mirkarimi-ride-the-electric-bike-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-14921 Jeffrey W. Baker Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:17:31 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=4751#comment-14921 How many charges do you get out of the battery pack, Ahmet? If it's anything like a laptop battery it seems like you'd be replacing it annually. How many charges do you get out of the battery pack, Ahmet? If it’s anything like a laptop battery it seems like you’d be replacing it annually.

]]> By: Ahmet http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/15/sf-supervisors-chiu-and-mirkarimi-ride-the-electric-bike-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-14901 Ahmet Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:26:24 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=4751#comment-14901 Hi, interesting topic - I have just bought an electric bike that I use to get to work everyday. I Just plug in at work to recharge it and then cycle home. Absolutely love the bike, it was cheap and simple to use. I got it from www.elecbikeco.com they seemed good but I am sure there are many other companies out there too. Good luck Ahmet Hi, interesting topic – I have just bought an electric bike that I use to get to work everyday. I Just plug in at work to recharge it and then cycle home.
Absolutely love the bike, it was cheap and simple to use. I got it from http://www.elecbikeco.com they seemed good but I am sure there are many other companies out there too.
Good luck
Ahmet

]]> By: murphstahoe http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/15/sf-supervisors-chiu-and-mirkarimi-ride-the-electric-bike-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-14891 murphstahoe Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:51:38 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=4751#comment-14891 There is already a extremely wide range of speeds in the bike lanes. On one of these, you are in the environs and aware of what is going on, which is 99% of the battle. And you aren't pushing 2 tons. There is already a extremely wide range of speeds in the bike lanes. On one of these, you are in the environs and aware of what is going on, which is 99% of the battle. And you aren’t pushing 2 tons.

]]> By: Barna Mink http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/15/sf-supervisors-chiu-and-mirkarimi-ride-the-electric-bike-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-14871 Barna Mink Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:59:59 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=4751#comment-14871 We just can't resist the temptation of motorization, can we? Anything that brings you up SF's hills at 14 mph without you breaking a sweat is not a bicycle. It's a scooter. Which is fine; I guess it's much better than driving. But if this takes off, I assume these will be ridden in the bike lanes, giving us yet another thing to have to watch out for. Just sayin'. We just can’t resist the temptation of motorization, can we?

Anything that brings you up SF’s hills at 14 mph without you breaking a sweat is not a bicycle. It’s a scooter. Which is fine; I guess it’s much better than driving. But if this takes off, I assume these will be ridden in the bike lanes, giving us yet another thing to have to watch out for. Just sayin’.

]]> By: falconef http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/15/sf-supervisors-chiu-and-mirkarimi-ride-the-electric-bike-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-14801 falconef Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:24:39 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=4751#comment-14801 Whats the big deal ? My Ebikes will run circles around this one. Whats the big deal ?
My Ebikes will run circles around this one.

]]> By: Nick http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/15/sf-supervisors-chiu-and-mirkarimi-ride-the-electric-bike-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-14781 Nick Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:31:36 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=4751#comment-14781 I think Gary Fisher might be onto something. If you further limit the range (say to less than 10 miles) you can limit cost, weight, and battery size to a point where 20,000 people are able to start bike commuting (followed by another 20,000 on regular bikes). I think Gary Fisher might be onto something. If you further limit the range (say to less than 10 miles) you can limit cost, weight, and battery size to a point where 20,000 people are able to start bike commuting (followed by another 20,000 on regular bikes).

]]> By: patrick http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/15/sf-supervisors-chiu-and-mirkarimi-ride-the-electric-bike-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-14771 patrick Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:28:12 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=4751#comment-14771 These would probably work great for a velib style bike sharing program as well These would probably work great for a velib style bike sharing program as well

]]> By: jwb http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/15/sf-supervisors-chiu-and-mirkarimi-ride-the-electric-bike-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-14711 jwb Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:10:21 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=4751#comment-14711 That is a great looking ride! Might be nice if the put the battery in the front though, to balance it out. I can imagine with luggage and a trailer on this thing the load would be 99% on the rear. That is a great looking ride! Might be nice if the put the battery in the front though, to balance it out. I can imagine with luggage and a trailer on this thing the load would be 99% on the rear.

]]> By: patrick http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/15/sf-supervisors-chiu-and-mirkarimi-ride-the-electric-bike-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-14701 patrick Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:08:40 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=4751#comment-14701 Wow, that looks pretty cool, I've never seen an electric bike that actually looked like a bike first. I hope these catch on, they could be extremely useful for those who are afraid of the hills here. Wow, that looks pretty cool, I’ve never seen an electric bike that actually looked like a bike first. I hope these catch on, they could be extremely useful for those who are afraid of the hills here.

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