New-wave bicyclists sing the body electric

Workers and students use electric bikes such as the one pictured above to get around in Fort Collins, Colorado

December 17, 1999
Web posted at: 11:58 a.m. EST (1658 GMT)

Reducing air pollution and improving your health at the same time is as simple as riding a bike. And now, if you can't fuel a two-wheeler on your own strength, you can hop on an electric version.

"People need some form of transportation that is quick and easy for short trips but that does not necessarily require physical exertion," said Kelley Roberts, bicycle safety coordinator for the city of Fort Collins, Colorado. "Since cars typically pollute most heavily during the first mile of use, it makes sense to provide electric bikes to those who are simply stepping out for lunch, shopping, going to class or dashing to a meeting within small distances."

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Electric bike use is growing in popularity worldwide, according to industry spokesmen Frank Jamerson and Ed Benjamin. In the past six years, annual global sales of electric bikes soared from 36,000 to 500,000, they note.

In the year 2000, the Japanese are expected to buy at least 500,000 electric bikes. Americans are expected to catch up with the Europeans and purchase no fewer than 120,000 electric bikes in the same year.

What's the attraction? With the flip of a switch, electric bikes are capable of providing immediate acceleration. Riders use the power assistance to climb hills and can travel at speeds upwards of 15 miles per hour.

Interested in converting the bike you have to an "e-bike"? No problem with a conversion kit. And depending on the bike model, terrain and weight of the rider, e-bikes can travel up to 15 miles without recharging. The chargers are portable and plug into a standard (110-volt) outlet. Car and solar-power chargers also are available. Charging takes only a few hours. Safety circuitry guarantees that the battery pack can't be overcharged and batteries can be easily removed.

More Americans are buying electric bicycles because of municipal improvements of bike lanes, bike racks on buses and trains, and the advent of bike stations. Pioneered in Long Beach, California, and now found in Berkeley and Palo Alto, bike stations provide commuters with rentals, repair services, road safety advice and an amenity to end all cycling amenities, valet parking.

Electric bikes are also being used for law enforcement.

The trend in electric bikes

In December 1999, David Noland opened Millennial Motors, an Oceanside, California, bike shop which exclusively sells electric bicycles and scooters. Noland is one of a handful of visionary shop owners from Key West to Portland who see a new wave of demand for such products.

"I think the EV (electric vehicle) market in the U.S. has to take off if we are to improve air quality and road congestion," said Noland. "Bikes and scooters are the easiest place to start."

Electric bikes and scooters haven't found favor in every camp. Some bicyclists maintain that the lead batteries that power e-bikes are hazardous to the environment once they are discarded. Advocates of alternative transportation counter that lighter, more ecologically friendly nickel metal hydride batteries are not far off. They also point out that batteries now used can provide the equivalent of more than 500 miles to the gallon.

Finally, they argue, electricity eventually will come from cleaner sources such as solar and wind power. The city of Denver is currently working to create parking sheds with solar rechargers for its electric bicycle fleet.

Fort Collins also provides many opportunities for its citizens to leave the car behind and hop on an e-bike. The city recently advanced alternative transportation in the U.S. by adding electric bicycles to its downtown loaner program, the Free Wheels Bicycle Library. The city uses conventionally-powered bicycles with an additional electric motor "power assist" feature for riders who need help pedaling.The popular, U-shaped frame bicycle accommodates riders in skirts and those who have trouble mounting a typical bike.

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