What is an electric bike?
An electric bike is simply a regular bicycle with an electric motor, battery, controller and throttle, that allow additional assistance to the rider. You have the option to pedal normally while just using the motor for up hills and when tired, or to use the motor with pedalling to make riding quick and easy. Electric bikes interest is constantly expanding as people are turning to their bicycles instead of their car for transport. Many cities around the globe have seen this growth and are providing alternative routes and lanes for cyclists.
History
Electric bikes were first invented in the 1890′s. They all but disappeared in the early 1900′s mainly due to the lack of battery technology. 100 years later in the 1990′s electric bikes re-emerged in Japan and began to see growth around the world. In the early 21st century electric bikes began their first stages of strong growth, mainly through the Chinese government manufacturers producing and selling bikes to their population, then eventually to the rest of the world. Quality control from these factories became the predominant problems with these first bikes, and they used lead acid batteries that were not designed for the current draws that electric bikes produced. (emergency lighting batteries).
In 2005, in North America, we began to see the emergence of electric bikes that were using NiMH, NiCad, and the first Lithium batteries. The market began to emerge as well bringing with it better manufacturers with their primary market focused outside of China.
Between 2007-9, we saw the first major breakthrough of sales of electric bikes and electric conversion kits in North America. In 2008 alone, the demand became much higher than the supply. This leaves us today in a growing market, with lots of forward-thinking individuals, governments and companies around the world, dedicating their lives to making sure the quiet revolution continues.
DESIGN
Electric bikes take on many forms. The most common two are the scooter style and bicycle style. Both have had substantial sales in NA, the scooters usually being cheaper with lead acid batteries. We feel that the scooter style is harming the image that the bicycle form is niching. Many governments and institutions are timid about extending road use and trail by-laws for electric bikes because they are worried that the scooters, being substantially larger than a bicycle, will encompass more space and potentially create accidents. Some bikes like the Ultramotor A2B have created a bike that pedals well as a heavy bike but has large tires and frame like a moped.
The bicycle style electric bikes seem to be the all around favorite. You are able to get mountain, road, cruiser, dutch, step-through, three-wheeled, folded, cargo, velomobiles, recumbents and even tricycles in an electric form.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Bicycling has some of the best benefits to people’s cardiovascular system. Many people like to bicycle but have a particular hill or physical ailment that restricts them from going for a leisurely bike ride or commuting by bike. The electric bike gives that added support to know that you can arrive to your destination and feel the rush of a good ride. Many doctors are recommending electric bikes as a daily exercise option to get people back into shape.