Wall Street Journal Reviews Electric Bicycle
by Andrew Posner, Providence, Rhode Island on 07.28.08
Noting that high gas prices have forced drivers to find alternatives, including public transit, scooters and bicycles, Wall Street Journal writer David Patton wanted to know if "a hybrid-electric bicycle [can] really take the place of a car." After all, while bicycles provide great exercise, are extremely efficient and truly zero emissions, not everyone can or wants to pedal all the time, especially up steep hills. In theory, combining an electric motor with a bicycle should be an ideal mix of exercise and comfort. To find out how these hybrids perform, Patton test rode the "Urban XU450 made by OHM Cycles Ltd."
So what were the results?
Well, "on the street, the hybrid powertrain works well on mild inclines and flat terrain," thanks in no small part to the electric motor which "puts out 250 watts of steady power and 450 watts of peak power, equivalent to the power that a human can put to the pedals." Unfortunately, those 450 watts weren't enough to be of much help on steep hills due to the bike's hefty (50 pound) weight and a lack of low gears.
Operating the Bike
Operating the bike is simple and fun. "A small digital controller on the handlebar lets riders choose from four levels of assistance, and a throttle provides a burst of power as long as the bike is already moving." Charging is done in three to four hours via a standard wall socket, and the battery has a claimed range of 70 miles per charge (that's assuming the battery is providing a partial assist for those 70 miles). Perhaps most interestingly, the bike features regenerative braking, just like the Prius, so that on downhills and when the brakes are applied the batteries are partially recharged.
At a cost of over $2100 USD, this particular electric bike costs as much as some scooters and mopeds, but operating costs are low, no special permits are required, and the rider still gets a workout. There are less expensive electric bikes out there (see the $350 electric commuter bike) that work fine as long as you don't need the range and higher end components (such as disc brakes) of the higher-end bikes.
The FInal Verdict
So are electric bikes a viable alternative to cars? In the end, Patton felt that "The OHM and other electric bikes are decent on short commutes in place of owning a second car to take to the train station. And any bike gives the extra benefit of a little exercise, too."
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I would love something like this.
Who reads the WSJ anymore? It use to be a very good newspaper. Now they have caved-in with most all other medias.
If one reads the article one gets to realize, Wall Street Journal writer David Patton is another pawn in today's crappy media (so distasteful).
First we start with something to catch our present day attention "... can a hybrid-electric bicycle really take the place of a car?..." He takes us through the technical data, some of the features on electric bicycles. Includes a drive test with few details. Then gives us his "expert" advice " ... Bottom line: The OHM and other electric bikes are decent on short commutes in place of owning a second car to take to the train station. And any bike gives the extra benefit of a little exercise, too."
Most of us Treehugger readers will laugh at this article. But, most of all, the idiot did not even answer the initial question. I guess it is only about the short commute to the train station on a sunny day. At least I am confirmed our media are not changing their ways. I am surprise treehugger even posted this crap.
I'm sure there are alternatives lighter than 50 pounds.
I once tried a bike with a BionX kit,
it apparently has the same features and I'm sure it ends up being much lighter, although that would depend on the bike that it is fitted on.
The holy grail being an electric foldable bike (in order to prevent theft and carry it on public transport)
I have been toying with the idea of an electric bike for a bit. A few people at work have them. When I bring it up though, 99% of the people start in on some sort of lazy or exercise argument. What's even more amusing is the people saying this are not exactly getting exercise or fit in anyway....If I am trying to replace my car with a bike, why are either of those things an issue. People don't pedal cars. If transportation is about exercise , why aren't these people running to work with weights strapped to their chest. Oh wait, I know why, because regardless of the health benefits available sometimes you just want to get home from work after 12 hours and not have to pedal much. It's mind boggling the way people approach this whole situation. I am trying not to pay $5 bucks a gallon for gas and slowly strangle the earth with my exhaust. I'm not trying to fit in my high school clothes. Not that it's a bad thing.....if and when I decide to turn my commute into an exercise routine I will be more than happy to pedal the entire way, Until then I will toy with the idea of buzzing along side stopped traffic not sweating into my work clothes.
One of the worst clips ever published by Treehugger. Shame on the WSJ staff !
Andrés from santiago, Chile.
$ 3500.00
No thanks!
I don't get people that say electric bikes are cheating. You're commuting, you're not racing anyone. Is it a little wrong to get some assist when getting to work? Oh, I get it. It's ok if you're in a CAR which has a bazillion watts of power. Hmm... makes a lot of sense. :-\
The WSJ article was silly. The point of a hybrid bike isn't to beat a skilled bicyclist up a steep hill, it's to get around easily and perhaps without heavy sweat.
I've ridden a Bionx 350PL kit put on a Dahon folder. Very nice. The kit of motor wheel and battery is 14 lbs.The folding bike plus kit weighted around 30 to 35 lbs.
I'm using the 350PL on my hybrid bike. Maybe 40 lbs total with racks and bags and fenders. I get range of about 35 miles in the assist mode I use the most and use it routinely for errands and trips up to 15 miles each way. I can bike off to a meeting 10 miles away, get there sweat free and pretty much as fast as if I drove.
I couldn't care less if people don't consider this "pure" bicycling. It opens up trips that I wouldn't do before by bike. Mostly because I wouldn't have time to change, bike to a meeting site, take a shower and then change into work cloths. With this, I go in my work cloths.
I have a degenerative disease that was making bicycling pretty much impossible. Now I'm bicycling more than ever and getting a great workout even with the electric assist on. I've pretty much given up driving because of this system.
@Space "I'm sure there are alternatives lighter than 50 pounds.
I once tried a bike with a BionX kit,
it apparently has the same features and I'm sure it ends up being much lighter, although that would depend on the bike that it is fitted on."
I have a Bionx PL350 on a standard cross bike. It weighs 65lbs. I don't think you can do much better for that much power. If you're willing to accept less power and less range you could trim a few pounds. I've seen a lot of electric bikes and have yet to see a useful one that weighs less than 50lbs.
i apologize for my previous comment, the video is dumb but the article is pretty informative.
I love bicycles and I love electric bikes especially ezee bikes(brand) and think that they are the future of personal and fun transportation. Everybody shoul try one and get one. About purists well, lend a purist one of these electric bikes and see what happens.
This is truly great. I cycled to work at my previous job but the long steepish hill en route to my existing office workplace caused me to abandon comuting by bicycle. This is the answer for me, Are any of these available in New Zealand.
Carl