| Electric Bicycles and Electric Power Assisted Bicycles | | | | must be taxed and insured etc. Electric bicycles can |
| offer many advantages to commuters providing low | | | | climb a hill without any help from the rider. A twist grip |
| cost transportation around town. Since these are the | | | | throttle is used to control speed. Power-on-demand |
| bikes which are not too powerful, it is classed as a | | | | bikes are often a bit heavier because of the more |
| bicycle. Electric bicycles carry rechargeable batteries | | | | powerful motor and battery. |
| which can be charged with mains electricity or from | | | | Although capable of pushing you along without your |
| renewable sources such as solar and - or wind power, | | | | help, electric bikes perform noticeably better when you |
| and so they are very cheap to run. Electric bicycles | | | | pedal, especially with the 24v models. The average |
| cope well with hills and carrying a lot of luggage. | | | | electric bicycles can range up to 25 miles with minimal |
| There are two main types of electric bicycle: those | | | | effort, with a recharge time of several hours. Power, |
| with a separate throttle on the handlebars which are | | | | when activated by a switch on the handlebar |
| called E-bikes and those with pedal sensors called | | | | (power-on-demand) or in response to your pedaling, |
| pedelecs to match electric power to the effort you | | | | gives you an immediate, nearly silent push. When you |
| are putting in. Much lighter bikes are also available | | | | release the switch or stop pedaling, the motor coasts |
| starting at around 20kg for a 16" wheel model with | | | | or "freewheels" like when you stop pedaling a regular |
| battery, or even less for a more expensive lithium ion | | | | bike. Standard electric bicycles have hand brakes and |
| battery and folding aluminium frame. Electric bicycles | | | | gearing round for the controls. "Power-on-demand" |
| weigh less than 40kg and are not rated over 250 | | | | means just that - no pedaling required! This is how our |
| Watts, powered speed is 16mph or lower, the bike has | | | | 48 volt super heavy duty bikes operate. I rode these |
| working pedals, and riders are over 14 years old. It is | | | | with a passenger on back for 30 miles with hardly |
| not necessary to wear a motorbike helmet when riding | | | | pedaling at all! Although all electric (or "electric-assist") |
| an electric bicycle. If the bike is too heavy, too | | | | bikes are designed to work with your pedaling, |
| powerful, or too fast then it is classed as moped and | | | | power-on-demand allows you to break the rule. |