The New York Times has posted an article detailing how it is that electric bike sales are soaring in New York , especially when use of the vehicles is in some places prohibited by law.  The article describes urban e-bike users from Chinese food delivery men to screenwriters.

Read the full article here: Despite Ban, Electric Bikes Gain Favor on City Streets.

An 67-year-old Englishman who was told my doctors he’d never walk again has just set the world record for miles travelled on an electric bycicle.  He completed his 1,912 mile trip at Lands End, UK.  Of the trip, Eddie Sedgemore said, “It was a long journey and I faced some horrendous wind and rain along the way, but looking back now it was all worth it.”

Record breaking ride for Chippenham man.

Each state passes its own laws regulating the use of electric bikes.  And because electric bikes are relatively new to the transportation industry (as opposed to cars or traditional bicycles), those laws can vary widely.  The following website has put up a page giving you state-by-state local laws regulating electric bicycles.  We are not affiliated with this site, nor does it constitute any guarantee that the stated laws are complete and up-to-date, so it’s always good to check with your local authority for the latest laws.  But it is a good starting point, for sure.

Laws for Electric Bikes – State by State.

The Japan Times writes that electric bikes have become a big hit in Tokyo — with moms.   In Tokyo, traffic laws don’t apply to electric bicycles the way they do to mopeds, so moms can pile the kids on an electric bicycle and run their daytime errands.  Parking is no problem, and the bikes pay for themselves in the way of fuel savings.

For the full article, visit Japan Times: Battery-boosted bikes a hit with moms, firms.

Thrill seeker and artist Bob Gidden describes how making the switch to an electric bicycle has allowed him to show mother nature the respect she deserves.  Gidden uses his bike for regular transport and even takes it out on his driftwood-seeking missions when he needs materials for his sculptures.  “Exhaust is mean, so go green,” he jokes.

Read the full article: Turning over green leaf from Yorkregion.com

Exercising due care while operating any bicycle, including an electric bike, is essential.  Riding requires the same sense of presence and alertness as driving a car, if not more because you are in a more vulnerable position. That’s one of the reasons you can just as easily get a DUI citation for drinking and riding as for drinking and driving.

Take a tip from Robert Cook of North Bay.  A week ago, he was arrested for driving his electric bike while intoxicated and spent six days in jail.  Read the full story here.

A Pioneer Press article recently featured a passage with a rider review of the EcoBike Vatavio:

Joshua Foss, of Northeast Minneapolis, uses an EcoBike e-bike on a roughly one-mile commute to his office.

“It’s the bee’s knees,” he said. “I can hop on the bike while wearing decent clothes, and I do not have to worry about breaking a sweat.”

His EcoBike model is the kind that folds, too, so he can stash it in the back of his Smart Car hatchback if necessary.

“But honestly, for anything within a three- to four-mile radius, I don’t even think about hopping in my car,” he said. “I want to ride my bike.”

“There are times when I’m Bluetoothing on a conference call while riding past people in their bike gear,” he said. “They all do goofy double-takes because it does not look like I should go that fast. They know something is up. Those are the moments that are cool.”

To read the whole article, visit TwinCities.com

Englishman Eddie Sedgemore is attempting to break the record for the longest journey taken on an electric bike.   He plans to ride over 1,600 miles around England.

See BBC News for the full story.

David Perlman has written a beautiful article in Orion Magazine on how commuting by bike gives him a little slice of transcendance.  Although we often promote bicycle commuting for reasons like health, finances, and environmental kindness, it’s nice to hear that some people also find poetry in their bike commuting experiences.

Perlman explains, “On my way to the office amidst the rush of wind, I’ll catch the call of a jay or glimpse a solo scull, its oars spread like wings, slicing the glimmering river.”

Read the full article, The Commute, on Orion Magazine.

The Bicycle Transportation Alliance of Oregon has put together a guide to designing a combo commute, which entails biking part of the way and riding the bus or train part of the way.  The article gives lots of tips to make combo commuting safer and easier.

By combining biking and public transportation, you can greatly reduce your costs of commuting, and increase the range with which you can comfortable travel using your electric bike.

Read the full article, Tips for Bringing Your Bike on Transit.

(There’s also a great video on how to safely bike near buses.  This includes lane positioning, interactions at bus stops, what to do if you have a bad experience, and more.)