Electric Bikes
Wheel Life column - November 11, 2000
by Todd Litman and Suzanne Kort - Victoria Transport Policy Institute

If steep hills discourage you from cycling, you may want to switch on the juice - electricity, that is.

We recently tested some power-assisted electric bikes and found them fun to ride. Because of their low power, they required pedaling to accelerate from a start and have a modest top speed. Press the switch on the handlebars and you feel a quiet, gentle acceleration as if pulled by an invisible rope. It is especially pleasant when climbing; your bike continues up inclines as if propelled by magic, so you don't break a sweat.

If you visited European cities during the 1960s and 70s you would have seen streets filled with mopeds, particularly the Solex model, a sturdy black bike with a tiny gasoline engine mounted over the front wheel. Modern electric bikes are similar to the old Solex, but without the noise and smell.

There are dozens of models to choose from. Most are available as kits that mount on a standard bicycle. Some use specially-built bike frames. The maximum speed on level ground is about 20 km per hour, which feels fast for a bicycle, but not excessive. Most electric bikes can travel 15-20 kilometres on one charge, making them suitable for commuting, errands and moderate-distance recreational rides.

Most have a motor that drives a small rubber wheel which rubs against the bike tire. Others have a motor built into a special hub. Some drive the rear wheel, others the front. Some have batteries located inside the frame's main triangle, while others have batteries that strap to a rear rack. Some have one or two speeds, others have variable controls.

These electric drive systems are not cheap. A kit containing the motor, batteries, switches, recharging equipment, and mounting hardware costs $600 or more, or $1,000 or more for a complete electric bike.

They are also heavy. A typical motor and battery weigh 10-15 kilograms, or about as much as a bike. As a result, electric bikes are slow and difficult to ride when the power runs out.

Not every drive system will fit every bike; most kits work best on a mountain bike or cruiser frame, which have the clearance needed to mount the hardware, and the strength needed to carry the extra weight. Some systems work on adult three-wheelers and recumbents.

Recent provincial legislation is intended to encourage use of electric-powered bicycles for transportation (Bill 20, the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 2000). It defines "motor assisted cycle" as a bicycle with a motor that delivers less than 1.4 kilowatts (under 2 horsepower). The final regulations now being developed by ICBC will probably allow use of motor-assisted cycles without a drivers license, but will require that riders be at least 16 years of age.

For more information visit the Fairfield Bikeshop (381-2453), which has a variety of electric-powered bikes and kits, or visit the ZAP website (www.electric-bikes.com) which provides performance data on their own models and other brands.

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The driver who killed Terry Van Fleet on December 15, 1998 received a 5-year prison sentence and an 8-year suspension of driving privileges last week. To honor Van Fleet's memory, the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition is hosting a Christmas Lights bike tour on Saturday, December 16, leaving 7 p.m. from Centennial Square (next to the Victoria City Hall). It will be a fun but meaningful way to "take back the night" on two wheels and view some of the most colourful holiday displays in our city. The full ride is 20 kilometers and will take about 2 hours. Helmets and lights are required and participants are asked to pay a $5 fee ($10 per family) to cover costs. Registration forms are available at local bikeshops and the GVCC website at www.gvcc.bc.ca.