Electric Bike Proves to Be a Real Transportation Alternative

We live in a northern suburb of Atlanta where personal transportation is a must.Public transportation is pretty much slim to none up here and even though we have a number of stores between one and three miles from our front door, walking each way can become a real drag when you have to do it on a daily basis.

My wife unfortunately suffers from arthritis and fibromyalgia and while I can find walking to the store a drag on occasion, she finds it nigh on impossible. She also doesn’t drive.In order to allow her to get out of the house and move around I purchased an electric bike for her.

An Electric Bike? What’s that?

An electric bicycle is a standard bike that has a battery operated electric motor attached.The most common kind of motor is a "hub motor".This motor is built into the central hub of one of the wheels and uses the opposing currents created by polar opposite sets of magnets located within the hub. When current is applied to the magnets, the wheel spins.No gears, belts or chains required.These bikes can be purchased pre built from a number of dealers or you can convert your own bicycle with an inexpensive, easy to install kit.It sounds scary high-tech but really it’s as simple as can be.

The best bikes use a lithium ferric phosphate (LiFePO4) battery.These batteries are the lightest weight and longest lasting (1000+) charges of any available and are environmentally far better than lead acid batteries.There is no special license or insurance required, the bikes are practically silent while giving off no smelly emissions.The bike recharges from house current and the lightweight battery can be easily detached for recharging while at work or in class.

Since we acquired her bike, my wife has gained new freedom and finds getting around quite easy while gaining some exercise in the process.The top speed of her bike is about 18 miles and hour and the motor makes taking hills a breeze. The biggest drawback I have found so far is that she now has many more opportunities to go shopping.

I too enjoy the bike and often use it for quick errands where I previously use to go by car.I find riding this machine fun and relaxing and a little light exercise never hurt anyone.It costs over fifty cents a mile to operate a car and one cent to operate an electric bike.To me it’s a no brainier.

While not a solution for every transportation requirement, when you have a short distance to go, why not take the alternative that creates not pollution, provides exercise and cost a lot less?I believe that the electric bike is here to stay and its only a matter of time before they become a local transportation staple.

Author: Steven Bodenstein

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