Photo courtesy of Velolectric
We recently returned from Eurobike, the largest bike industry trade show in the world, and one of the primary themes that dominated the show was E-bikes.
What Are E-Bikes
Put simply, e-bikes are bicycles assisted by an electric motor, most of which travel at a speeds up to 20 MPH. In many cases they are traditional bicycles that have been equipped with an aftermarket conversion kit.
Most jurisdictions, nationally and internationally make a distinction between a motorcycle and electric bicycle and as a result electric bicycles aren’t subject to the same laws and regulations as a motorcycle. A major difference between a motorcycle and an electric bike is the rider still pedals a bicycle but is assisted by the electric motor either as a result of their pedaling action (known as a pedelec) or by a handlebar throttle.
The range of e-bikes can vary widely depending on the weight of the rider and the extent of hills that are covered during the ride. Typical stated ranges vary from 5 – 25 miles. Prices for just the conversion kit can range from several hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars.
E-Bikes Gaining Popularity
E-bikes are still in relative infancy, especially in the United States, but are rapidly gaining popularity both in the US and abroad. 2010 sales in the US are expected to hit 300,000, which is significantly less than the 1,000,000 expected in Europe but double the number of 2009 sales. Both of these pale in comparison to China where it is estimated there are 120,000,000 E-bikes.
As the popularity of E-bikes continues to grow it’s no surprise the number of manufacturers of conversion kits and E-bike retailers has also increased. This was certainly evident at Eurobike this year.
The number of retailers installing conversion kits on Montague folding bikes has also increased, both in the US and internationally. We had several existing international Montague dealers stop by our Eurobike booth and let us know how well sales are going and how well the bikes are suited for conversion kits. For riders interested in e-bikes, combining an electric assist conversion kit with the portability of a Montague further extends the utility of our folding bikes.
Stay Tuned
There was plenty of focus around E-bikes at Eurobike and predictions are strong for future worldwide growth. It will be interesting to see how much coverage there is at Interbike, the largest US bicycle trade show, at the end of September.
Critics of E-bikes cite the environmental impact resulting from battery usage and electrical consumption but there are also plenty of positives that come from more people getting on bikes. E-bikes are attracting a segment of the marketplace that might not have otherwise considered getting a bike.
It’s likely that E-bikes will be around for good, but as with all products, the pace of that growth will be determined by the marketplace.
Montague bikes can be equipped with electric conversion kits along with any other after-market part, as all of our bikes use industry standard parts. Give us a call if you need help finding a local Montague dealer.
Do you have any experience with E-bikes? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Ride Safe,
Montague Bikes
Originally developed as a military E-bike at the end of the last century, the Montague Patented Folding System proves to be an even better match for modern day electric propulsion systems. We have a newer and lighter model of the Montague hosted E-bikes to be released in 2010.
We need to get off the fence really. New technology is great, but we need to pick a standard and then move on with modular technology. Every bike has its own battery, battery shape, and connections. It would be like a car without the ability to refill at any gas station. Who is going to want to buy into a limited technology? Can’t we buy in now, and replace the batteries with better technology later? How much more efficient can electric motors get at this point? Modular is the way to go. Henry Ford made the Model T the car of choice not by innovation, but by mass production.
Ebikes are a greta form of transportation. I have been commuting to work for years on my custom built ebike.
As the popularity of E-bikes continues to grow it’s no surprise the number of manufacturers of conversion kits and E-bike retailers has also increased. This was certainly evident at Euro bike this year.
I have a Montague with a Bionx D500 installed on it and I would much rather have an e-bike made by Montague with the motor in the bottom bracket and built to withstand rough city streets (fatter tires and solid rear rack options) with the bike designed to be electric from the ground up (lights that are powered by the same battery, proper cabling, etc).
Overall my aging knees love having the motor assist and my wife loves the ability to fold it and put it in our SUV. It reduces greatly our need for a 2nd car in the city. However, my Bionx D500 has been riddled with problems over the past 3 years, much of it perhaps vibration related. There is no add-on system that would be able to compare to one built into the bike by the bike manufacturer.