Electric Bikes and Socialism --informing you what the German Government is doing to help with green

[Mira]

Just for the heck of it, let me tell you that there are bicycles, invented in Switzerland, that are either pedaled, or on inclines have a small electric powered motor. Cool, right!

So I learned in a phone call last night, from a friend who lives in Augsburg Germany, that the government makes low interest, low payment loans to people to buy the bikes.
Not only that, they have installed 5 FREE loading stations through the city, where people can pedal to and load up on free electricity as often as they want.

I said to him: "Here they would scream that it's a socialist government."

He to me: "Here we don't put a flag on everything and expound on being Christians.
We just simply find ways to help each other and the planet."

[defendandprotect]

1. Why do we see so few electric bikes here in America ... are they illegal or something???

[SocialistLez]

2. Bikes in general are in low supply...at least for TRANSPORTATION not recreation

We're not a very bike friendly country.

[Mira]

4. Bikes are not "provided for"

We have letter to the editor type discussions of "should there be bike paths" - and the general traffic is not prepared mentally and physically to incorporate bikes as a part of expected modes of transportation on the roads.

This is what makes biking still very dangerous in the US.

[SocialistLez]

6. Agreed

I'd gladly ride my bike to school and work if I felt some idiot was not going to run me over or TRY to run me over.

I'd love to have physically separated bike lanes like they have in Europe.

[handmade34]

15. I just got done working in the

Arlington, VA / DC area and biking is great there. They have just implemented an excellent Bikeshare program. We need more of this around the country

http://www.capitalbikeshare.com/station_map

[defendandprotect]

7. Agree on that because I frequently ....

am after our Town Council to make more protected room for biles --

Many people up in age could be riding bikes around town but no protected lanes --

usually kids ride to schools, but now with TRUCKS having been put on our local roads

by our NJ legislature, lots more worries re cars/citizens/bikes.

In fact, on some of the local streets they've added quite a few "bumps" to make it

less attractve to truck trafic! Makes driving a car on those roads also less attractive --

at night, cars are up and down and so are their lights blinding you.

But -- what I was asking is specifically about motorized bikes -- not motorcycles --

they've never been popular here -- anyone know why?

[SocialistLez]

10. In some cities (not sure about states)

they are illegal I believe.

Where I live, electric bikes are legal.

I think a lot of people are just unaware that electric bikes are available. I know I was until I did some research on my own.

[ProudDad]

13. You might want to double-check that...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws

According to this they're legal in Arkansas -- maybe not in your town?


Bummer, they appear to be illegal in Hawai'i! I was able to ride a Harley without a helmet but can't ride my bicycle there? :eyes:

[SocialistLez]

17. They are legal in my city, I just meant in other cities (outside of AR) they may not be. =]

In my city however, it's illegal to ride your bike on the sidewalk in front of businesses.

[eilen]

28. You should not ride your bicycle on the sidewalk anywhere

Bikes are transportation, there are more accidents d/t sidewalk riders. They tend to ride out in traffic-- the cars are not aware of them when they are on the sidewalk then they ride out into the road. We need more riders on the roads where auto drivers can see them and get used to them. The correct way to ride your bike is also the way you drive your car-- ride with traffic, use headlights/taillights, signal turns, follow traffic signs (stop signs, stop lights). That is the safest way to ride. The only people that should ride their bikes on sidewalks are children.

[happyslug]

24. Legality depends on the need to get the bike Licensed.

In Pennsylvania, for example, any bike with ANY engine (gasoline or electric) MUST be registered with the state AND have a license plate. Depending on the size of the electric engine the bike may also have to be inspected and get an inspection sticker. The operator of the electric bicycle also MUST have a driver's license.

Other states permit bikes up to 50cc (Gasoline engine) or an equal size electric motor NOT to have a license AND to be operated by people without a driver's license.

[eilen]

29. I prefer it that way.

Get the state governments on board -- licensed riders have a right to demand road accessibility and secure parking. As more people move to them the better. It will take time but people will buy them as cars are unbelievably expensive. We need charging stations for them.

I wanted a new car to replace a Chevy Blazer that while it is paid off, has had frequent repair needs. I thought it was done for this last time but it turned out only to need a new radiator -- very expensive but still way cheaper than having to come up with the cash for a new car. I live in a heavy snowfall area and have used the Blazer for the 4WD. I was very interested in the small compacts from Ford (I knew a Hybrid was way out of my pocket) or 2009 Aura. But the prices are absolutely insane. We really wanted a diesel car but they are not available in the US.

I ended up repairing the Blazer as I have to make 2 long Winter trips this year. I don't want to be roped into a car payment. I try to use this vehicle rarely. We have an old Saturn beater that takes less gas but it does tend to eat oil like those special mushrooms and the doors have some difficulty closing/fastening (my son fears for his safety in this). I refuse to fly.

So, I am investigating the bus system we have here and I think I may be able to swing it but it will take a zen approach as the buses run only once an hour up here and are often late--it will take me 3x longer to get to work and back. My husband is opposed to my bus riding as he is often away and I am it for the offspring-- what if he needs me to get him from school? (My answer--he can cool his heels in the nurse's office till I get there or until his bus is ready to take him home or walk). I am pretty out of shape and ride my bike but don't think I am up to the 15 miles to work yet... and anyway, Winter is coming and it will not be bikeable. I do love those little electric cars -- they make them nearby-- but they wouldn't handle the icy roads we get (might be cool for spring/summer and fall. Ultimately, once I finish paying off the repairs on the Blazer, I hope to trade it in for something more economical and ecological --so I can pay less than $10,000 for a newish car. My issue is that I am a nurse and HAVE to be a work no matter what weather. They say the state police will deliver me if absolutely necessary but they won't bring me home.

I have been busy trying to create a life that is not dominated by my work and this area is still a nagging issue. We may be relocating soon-- in the next year or so and at that point we will be living in a milder climate and I can truly rid myself of the Chevy.

[defendandprotect]

19. That's what I had always been told ... "illegal" ....

but hard to understand!!

[ProudDad]

12. You can get a decent used motorcycle

for the same money...

and don't have to pedal...

and have a better chance to survive on USAmerican roads that are anti-bicycle...

[SocialistLez]

18. Motorcycles have horrible exhaust

At least my step-dad's does and it's a fairly new bike. He's had it about 2 years now.

[defendandprotect]

20. Horrible noise and vibration as well -- doesn't look like any fun....

[ProudDad]

21. Depends on the bike...

1985 Honda V65 - 1100cc -- Very smooth and very fast...

[ProudDad]

3. I have an electric bicycle...

I also use it to haul a solar power plant on a bicycle trailer for powering music events...

[Mira]

5. I'm very impressed.

You're my kind of guy....

[ProudDad]

9. Why, thank you...

:hi:

[defendandprotect]

8. Fantastic ....

and do you have any opinion on why so few in America have been interested in

electric bikes?

[ProudDad]

11. They're expensive...

mainly because of the battery technology. The battery cost almost as much as the bike and motor combined.

And you still have a constant temptation to actually pedal and get exercise; and most USAmericans are exercise-adverse?

And it's dangerous as hell to ride out there with the car jockeys. We lose a bicyclist to a car, bus or truck every few months in our town, including one of my close friends who was mangled by a pick-em-up truck. He survived but has to wear a back brace.

Our entire infrastructure has been designed to accommodate cars and trucks -- we don' want no stinkin' bicycles...

[defendandprotect]

16. Thank you -- thought this was actually a "safety" issue ......

but wasn't sure if there are restrictions on motorized bikes --

and have been told problem with them is that they are dangerous???

As far as I can see they are only dangerous because cars and trucks are so dangerous to

every living thing!!

Thanks for the info :)


And, GASP, horrific news about what's happened to your friend and other bikers!!!

That should not be ....!!

[ProudDad]

22. Collateral damage in the world built for cars...

he's up and around and playing music and riding his motorcycle now...

[defendandprotect]

23. Good to hear -- and thanks again for info-- !!

[handmade34]

14. love it! n/t

[Bigmack]

25. Ms. Bigmack and I ride all the time in the ....

hilly NW. We're looking at all the electric bikes for when we get too old and wimpy to take those long uphill pulls. The Giant Twist model is by far the best we've seen.

http://www.metaefficient.com/bicycles/best-commuter-bikes.html

$1600-$2200 70 mile range.. 4 hour charge

Expensive, but, if you believe fuel is just going to get more expensive....

[happyslug]

26. This has been discussed on the Bicycle Forum many times

This is from 2006, where I even listed the Pennsylvania Law involved:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=324x1049#1097

In this site, i looked up Tennessee law and its requirements that electric bicycles have a license and the operator be licensed.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=393x566

Sorry, some states say anything under 50cc (or the electric equivalent) does NOT need a license nor do the operators have to have a license (California and Texas seems to be of this school, but please note I have NOT check the laws as to those two states, I am going by what other people have posted on DU). On the other hand other states require not only anything with an engine that operates on the road be licensed, but so must be the operator of the vehicle. Please check with your state before opting for an electric engine on any vehicle.

[HEyHEY]

27. They are ALL OVER China

Everyone has one here. I love em.