Electric Bicycles Surging In Popularity 533
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kdawson
from the look-ma-no-feet dept.
from the look-ma-no-feet dept.
gollum123 writes "An accidental transportation upheaval began in China, where an estimated 120 million electric bicycles now hum along the roads, up from a few thousand in the 1990s. They are replacing traditional bikes and motorcycles at a rapid clip and, in many cases, allowing people to put off the switch to cars. The booming Chinese electric-bike industry is spurring worldwide interest and impressive sales in India, Europe, and the US. China is exporting many bikes, and Western manufacturers are also copying the Chinese trend to produce models of their own. From virtually nothing a decade ago, electric bikes have become an $11 billion global industry. In the Netherlands, a third of the money spent on bicycles last year went to electric-powered models. Industry experts predict similar growth elsewhere in Europe, especially in Germany, France, and Italy, as rising interest in cycling coincides with an aging population. India had virtually no sales until two years ago, but its nascent market is fast expanding and could eclipse Europe's in the next year. In China, electric bicycles have evolved into bigger machines that resemble Vespa scooters. These larger models are causing headaches for global transportation planners. They cannot decide whether to embrace them as a green form of transportation, or ban them as a safety hazard. Some cities are studying the halfway measure of banning them from bicycle lanes while permitting them on streets."
Nothing glamorous to see (Score:4, Interesting)
As someone who spends a week each year in Shanghai, this is nothing special. These bikes are nasty rusty things. Often found in shades of silver and brown with broken seats and bent baskets. The owners don't understand the concept of pride in their own possessions. I find this behavior quite foreign to me, but I suppose that's because I'm an American. In short, leave-it-out-to-rust is the Chinese motto.
Oh, and for all you living in Shanghai, could you PLEASE for the love of God, change your moped brake pads? That high pitched squealing makes my ears ring :-p.
Re:Ah, yes, one of the modern evils... (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:reasons this may not catch on in the US (Score:3, Interesting)
I'll second Parent here. I have a two and a half mile ride to work, but I'd have to cross two interstates and a 6 lane highway to get there. I can do it in the summer, but trying to get a bike through 6 inches of snow in the dark mornings while dodging traffic isn't fun or safe.
Down south this might be more viable as a car replacement, but up in Michigan I need a car 4 months out of the year. It sucks, and I end up paying more for PLPD than I do for gas, but it has to be done.
Americans Pay More (Score:4, Interesting)
He did his research, so it wasn't like the Chinese bikes were painted with lead and made by slave labor or anything. Anyone have any idea why electric bikes would be on the import no-no list?
Re:Ah, yes, one of the modern evils... (Score:5, Interesting)
While some twenty-something dudes would otherwise be riding a normal bicycle, most would be driving a car. If it takes electric bicycles to kill the idea that cycling is a sport instead of an efficient form of transportation, so be it.
Re:Ah, yes, one of the modern evils... (Score:3, Interesting)
I wonder about how safe they are. My heart rate scales with the speed I travel and my reflexes tend to scale the same way. Sometimes I get scared riding with a strong tail wind because I feel that I am going faster than my body is setup to do.
The other thing is that sometimes I need to go slow, and sometime I need to go very fast. A power limited electric motor can't do the latter and would make me feel vulnerable in traffic.
Energy (Score:4, Interesting)
In an age when most of us could do with more exercise, not less, and could reduce energy usage not increase it - these seem like a bad idea. It will be interesting to see if the percentage of people who are obese in either of these countries increase in parallel with the switch to electric bikes.
I've been to Amsterdam, spent a few weeks there, and you'd be amazed at how few people are fat in that city - a lot of which can be contributed to the fact the ride everywhere. Compare that to the US, Britain, and even Australia - and it's quite the difference. America of course wins the prize - so if anything you guys need more incentive to ride pushbikes, not less.
in japan... (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Americans Pay More (Score:3, Interesting)
There are plenty of sealed lead acid batteries around (old people scooters for example, a similar device...).
Re:reasons this may not catch on in the US (Score:3, Interesting)
No, the reason is because pretty much everyone else in the world has the sense to realise that bicyclists are pedestrians. They don't belong in the road any more than joggers or skateboarders.
I was just in Helsinki last august, they just doubled the size of the sidewalk and allowed the section nearest the road for bicycles pretty much everywhere and where they don't they just treat a bicyclist that hits a walker the same as a car that hits a pedestrian.
Struggling to classify low-speed vehicles. (Score:3, Interesting)
Trying to fit these things into traffic in a crowded area is tough. New York State classifies such vehicles as follows:
So New York State makes a clear distinction between a bicycle and anything with power. (Segways are handled somewhat differently, but are limited to 12.5 MPH. New York City prohibits them on sidewalks.)
Realistically, once you pass 20MPH, you have most of the risks of a motorcycle, and may as well get one.
Re:reasons this may not catch on in the US (Score:3, Interesting)
One is drivers. I ride a (nonmotorized) bike to work twice a week. It would sure be nice if drivers here in the US showed that they had some clue that cyclists exist, etc.
It would also be awesome if cyclists would show that they aren't oblivious to drivers. "Share The Road" goes both ways, bro.
Re:reasons this may not catch on in the US (Score:4, Interesting)
I did, didn't I? (Score:3, Interesting)
I'm glad you used sound reasoning and solid argumentation and did not resort to baser things like guilt-trips and emotional appeals. Well done, sir.
Sure, because the parent I replied to had sound reasoning and solid argumentation when he said that most cyclists on the road are lawless jerks- and implied that they deserve what they get, or that drivers shouldn't be responsible for hitting them. Also, I think it's pretty logical and good reasoning to say, "When is the last time you read, 'motorist killed by cyclist'?"
You know what? If reading that story and looking at that picture of that orphan makes a couple of Slashdotters a liiiiitle bit more careful driving (around cyclists or not), then it was worth every mod point.
But yes, I see your point. Unfortunately, when you've been struck by cars twice (both breaking the law, when you were doing everything right), you tend to have a very shore fuse for the whole but-cyclists-are-lawless-idiots comment. Every time cyclist safety comes up in conversation someone has to blurt this out. While I was still in my cast from the first time I was hit, an asshole coworker sat across from me and told the table that cyclists knew that it was dangerous and thus drivers shouldn't be liable. I nearly cracked him over the head with the cast.
Re:Ah, yes, one of the modern evils... (Score:5, Interesting)
I have a "hybrid" electric bike. It has an electric motor in the hub, and regular pedals for the human powerplant. The motor works best as an assist, particularly nice on steep hills. I mainly use the electric motor to get up to speed, then can pedal to maintain. Using both at the same time gives a good quick launch from a standstill. The electric motor on mine tops out at about 15mph, which is decent. I can go faster on a normal bike, but I break a sweat. :)
Re:bicycle lanes are for BICYCLISTS (Score:3, Interesting)
There are many cyclists who are capable of traveling at or above the urban speed limits, and around here do.
Should they be banned from the bike lanes? what exactly is the bike lane speed limit?
I would love to see what would happen if someone did try and enforce a nice and slow and safe limit on them, i bet a rather vocal group of riders would go nuts.
Also, to address your other BS.
Have you looked in the rear vision mirror of a parked car when bikes are coming past? they are VERY hard to spot, especially when going fast (as they often are), that is why riders must take care - I ride motorcycles, and we get the same problem, except hitting something much faster, attached to something much heavier, kills us more often... you know what we do? take care!
And there is NO moped in the world that makes more pollution than an SUV, you are just showing everyone your own personal bias and one eyed view of transportation. Stop thinking you are so perfect and deal with the real world, as the rest of us do.
I added a side-car so I can go through snow. (Score:1, Interesting)
To add a sidecar, look for a remnant or broken bicycle that someone either discards or sells as parts. Best places are yard or garage sales, but you realy need to rummage through the dumpsters in a square mile area at-least once a week.
Try to imagine the verticle pipe of the bicycle frame where the seat mounts into, you need to bend the two horizontal bars to a 90-degree angle or otherwise cut them off to re-weld them at a 90-degree angle. A disc cutter to cut the entire front frame off the rear-wheel would suffice if you have a choice of hardware to hobble it onto your bicycle. You can make a sidecar for someone to sit, or a basket, but the purpose is to just get a 3rd wheel on the ground so you CAN ride on snow without gravity sliding you on your chin and elbows.
It's a shame that bicycle assemblers put so much crap along the wheels that limit what choice of wheels and traction to use. Bicycle Snow-chains need to be custom-made, and that's why you need to use disk-brakes rather than the cruddy ones they weld onto the forks. Goal is to replace brake calipers on the rims to disc brakes on the wheel axles, and consider quick-release rims because only cheap-bastard assemblers use anything that needs a wrench to remove.
fule cost are why (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:reasons this may not catch on in the US (Score:4, Interesting)
The problem is that when drivers ignore the traffic laws around cyclists, it's a threat to the cyclist's life.
The problem is that when cyclists ignore traffic laws around cars, it's also a threat to cyclist's life.
Re:reasons this may not catch on in the US (Score:3, Interesting)
So you punish people based on no evidence? Interesting law.
Brett
Typical demographic (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:reasons this may not catch on in the US (Score:3, Interesting)
pretty much everyone else in the world has the sense to realise that bicyclists are pedestrians. They don't belong in the road any more than joggers or skateboarders.
I don't suppose you've ever ridden down a sidewalk at 30mph? How about trying to avoid getting hit by cars pulling in and out of driveways while riding down a sidewalk at 30mph? Nobody expects fast moving vehicles on a sidewalk and they are a hazard to any cyclist capable of maintaining high speed. The widespread development of smooth paved roads was initially done at the behest of cyclists 100+ years ago who wanted a better surface to ride on than dirt or gravel. Now all of a sudden the automobile comes along and we can't use the roads originally made for us. That's very fair.
Re:reasons this may not catch on in the US (Score:1, Interesting)
You know here in Norway a lot of people cycle in the winter. Studded winter tires on a bike makes breaking on ice almost as easy as on a dry road. But at -18C i feel it is too cold to take the bike to work even if they have showers and a sauna there.
Americans are lazy and built around outdated infra (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:reasons this may not catch on in the US (Score:3, Interesting)
There's this one road I go down -- 30kph speed limit, and yet every car behind me always seems to catch up and pass me rather quickly when I'm going along at 30kph. In fact, I would say that most are going 50kph. That's more than 66% over the speed limit.
My brother is a cycler and comes home regularly with tales that make me cringe for his safety.
I've often wondered if he had an LED display on the back of his bike that showed how fast he was riding, if cars would be more prone to backing off. He is like you sound - regularly doing the speed limit - and is overtaken a lot, I assume because people think "well, bikes are slow, so I can drive faster".
Re:Ah, yes, one of the modern evils... (Score:3, Interesting)
The electric motor on mine tops out at about 15mph,
The throttle control on my 3 year old Urban Mover UM36 is now derestricted, normally the throttle maxes out at 10mph and the pedal sensor maxes out at 15mph, but now the throttle can get me to 20mph along the flat without pedalling (and no panniers), faster if I pedal whilst the throttle is on maximum.
Sure it's illegal here in the UK but it's so much fun and journeys are shorter than before, took a short while to get used to the increased speed but I'm still safe with it, I make sure I don't ride dangerously because I don't want to get hurt or hurt others.
Better planning (Score:1, Interesting)
I like to ride my bike to work. It is about 40 minutes each way. Nice an calm except that 15 minutes of terror while I have to cross the freeway (zero way around) and then safely navigate through 20 square block where the cops fear to even go. No matter how I cut it I must cross at least one freeway (takes about 5 minutes) and if I want to avoid the nasty neighborhood then I must cross two freeways (and travel down the second one for about 5 minutes). The safer route actually adds about 40 extra minutes to my 40 minute route.
This could be solved if the city built a bike path or even a traversalable path along the stream that snakes from near my home to near my work (down town). The city council does not really encourage alternative solutions – the current ‘bike’ paths are rough are composed of a lose gravel/sand mix. Part of the city council’s reasoning: it keeps those darn roller blading kids off their ‘walking’ paths.
The last city I lived in I could roller blade or bike to pretty much every corner of the city. I hardly ever need to use my car. It was great.
Re:I don't get... (Score:2, Interesting)
You are one of the few who obey the rules on a bicycle. I also obey all the rules of the road when I bicycle, but an overwhelming majority don't. I come to full and complete stops at red lights, behind the crosswalk or limit lines. I don't go unless the light is green. I stop at all stop signs. I'll hop off my bike and walk it across a crosswalk on busy intersections. Others just zip through traffic, ignore stop signs and red lights. They zip around pedestrians in the crosswalk and won't bother to stop for others. They just won't give up any right of way. It's the entire reason why bicyclists are hated. Because of this, many drivers don't know exactly how to behave around bicyclists because too many bicyclists do unexpected things and expect others to read their minds. That's where the animosity comes from.
Part of the problem is that there aren't enough regular people who bicycle in the USA. Too many are just weekend warriors or just adrenaline junkies. Many of them don't know that bicycles are considered vehicles and must follow the same rules of the road as a car. Too many think that they're pedestrians when they bicycle. Some drivers even come to full and complete stops for bicyclists as if the were pedestrians. The weekend warriors aren't out everyday and don't realize that they need to courteous to other traffic. The adrenaline junkies just ride for the thrill and do dangerous things. The standard rules of the road are ignored. This may explain why there are many more accidents in the USA.
Re:Ah, yes, one of the modern evils... (Score:3, Interesting)
I used to bike to work before my employer was bought out by %HUGECORPAGENCY%. The new bosses require me be available to travel within a range of 200 miles on a moments notice -- so I'm stuck.
I also have an electric bike. It's a hybrid. You can't just push a button and go. It requires you peddle -- and it will assist you. I like this because it makes the hills and inclines much easier to manage and I didn't show up to work smelly and sweaty. On the ride home, I'd generally ride with the motor off to get a workout.
Right now, except for the occasional weekend, this bike sits in my garage collecting dust.
Re:pardon me if I don't have much sympathy. (Score:3, Interesting)
Honestly, I feel the same way driving a coupe. If an SUV or a tractor trailer decides to pull into my lane without checking their blind spot, I'm toast. I've ended up literally with parts of a semi trailer *over* the front of my car before.
The best way to view this is that there is always someone else on the road who is going to do something stupid, and even if one of you end up worse for the encounter... it's still a really bad situation to be in knowing that you killed someone's mom through your negligence, or having to pay thousands of dollars in a settlement. One either side of the debate, you can't control the other idiots on the road. You can control yourself. Stay out of people blind spots, watch for doors opening and people pulling out of driveways, pull to the edge of the road as a slow vehicle or bike to let people pass... there are a lot of things people can do to make themselves safer without bitching about everyone driving around them.
Re:*cycle (Score:3, Interesting)
They are generally just electrically assisted bicycles. Around here they are limited so that the electric motor adds less power at higher speeds and shuts off completely at 25kph. They are allowed in bicycle lanes and have almost the same handling characteristics and looks as regular bicycles, and you can drive them without needing a license.
Re:Ah, yes, one of the modern evils... (Score:3, Interesting)
Where I live (northern Italy), we are trying to solve this problem with local trains carrying people and their bikes, and with bicycle parking racks near stations. This way, most part of the travel can be done on public transport, and the last 2-3 miles can be done on bikes. It is less clumsy than it sounds.
Re:Ah, yes, one of the modern evils... (Score:3, Interesting)
switch to a "ride flat" inntertube. It's a very stiff thick rubber innertube. you can still pump it up to 80psi, but if it get's a flat, you can still ride home safely, just extra work riding a tire at a 50-60 psi squishyness.
I use them on every bike now, got tired of patching a tube on the side of the road.
Two Sides (Score:3, Interesting)
At first I get sad thinking of younger folk using electric bikes. But there is a practical side and that is, as many have mentioned, replacing the car for commuting. If an electric bike can keep up a 15 MPH run (much faster and I wouldn't want it sharing bike paths with pedestrians and strollers), you could use it for the 5-20 mile commutes to work. I've been starting to realize just how completely absurd it is that we feel the need for 3000+ lbs of metal to cart us around. Even motorcycles are kind of ridiculous. But an electric bike that allows you to both pedal and ride...that's a decent idea.
I've got a 20 mile commute which is easy by highway, but hilly and 25 miles on a bike. I'd consider it with an electric bike though. But I'd consider it on a normal bike if I could get a bike path the whole way instead of sharing/dodging cars on the road.
Re:pollution (Score:3, Interesting)
Better than cars, which use lead-acid batteries as well.
Transportation times while riding a bike (Score:3, Interesting)
Your assertion might be right if you don't live in a major city. I live in Mexico City, which is a huge monster by all standards. The most efficient transportation medium here is by bike, unless you are lucky enough to ride on the major high-speed urban roads on your way to work, and both live and work quite close to their entry/exit points.
I am by no means an athlete. My average cycling speed is between 20 and 25 Km/h. The city is mostly flat, and whenever I can, I bike to my destination on a ~20Km radius from home. My trips are usually way faster than when I go by car, and slightly faster than when I go by subway. And as there are no major hills on the road, it is not enough effort to make me a sweaty mess.
Yes, my workplace is where the hilly part starts, and I do arrive somewhat sweaty ;-) But not enough to be stinky. Or at least, so I believe ;-)
Re:Ah, yes, one of the modern evils... (Score:3, Interesting)
As for "chicks"-and-or-coeds, I am nearly 50. And happily married. We're talking purely Walter Mitty territory here.
You really can carry plenty on a bicycle, depending on the bicycle. I got a cargo bike because I was tired of backpacks and panniers. 50lbs of stuff, I can still ride no-hands (summer tires, at least). 100lbs, I am still comfortable on the bike. 150+, I have to pay attention to the handling. 200 is the official limit, but people have carried more. I've hauled my wife a short distance, in the snow (storm), when it was easier than shoveling out the berm that had been plowed up behind the car. I've also arranged the bike so that I don't need to ride in fancy clothes, or even with pants clips -- nice saddle, chain case, when the weather's right I ride in work clothes, and I've even used a bike to get to a quite-fancy dinner in quite nice clothes.
Re:pollution (Score:4, Interesting)
Seems like a relatively minor thing to be worrying about; as e-bikes are such lightweight and efficient vehicles, an indirectly coal-powered e-bike is vastly lower-impact than almost any other motor vehicle on the road. Yes, the electricity comes from an ugly source -- but so little is used that mile-for-mile they're still a net win over most of the alternatives.
Do all the e-bikes in China add up to be resulting in significant smokestack pollution? Of course -- but that pollution would be far worse if other forms of motorized transport were being used instead.
Downtown vs residential areas (Score:2, Interesting)
Bikes are already banned from the sidewalks in many places, which makes absolutely no sense...
Ever try riding a bike downtown on a sidewalk during business hours? Constantly weaving through dozens of people each minute won't allow you to reach a very high speed, and you run a much higher risk of crashing into someone, as pedestrian movements can be a lot more random and sporadic (i.e. riding behind someone that just stops and turns around, people suddenly exiting parked cars or buildings) than cars, which generally travel in their lanes.
I'd prefer to ride on a sidewalk as much as possible, as getting run over by a pedestrian is a lot less worse for me than getting run over by a vehicle (paying extra attention to right turns and left turning vehicles when crossing intersections). Riding on the road when the sidewalk is empty seems like a needless risk too. Sidewalk-only riding simply doesn't work everywhere, and I'll need to ride on the road sometimes to get to my destination in the fastest possible time.