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If you’re new to owning an electric bike, you might be concerned about bike theft. What kind of lock should I get? Where should I lock my bike up? How can I protect my shiny, new investment?
Unbreakable Bonds recently posted their top ten cities for bike theft. As you might expect, the list includes Philly, Chicago, NYC, and San Fran. More surprising are towns like Cambridge, New Haven, and Austin. For the top 10 list, check out the Top 10 Cities for Bike Theft.
But the kind people at the Bicycle Transportation Alliance have posted a thorough set of tips for keeping your bike safe. This is especially important when you’ve got a electric bike. They discuss how to choose a lock, a locking location, and what bike features to be mindful of. Read Don’t Get Your Bike Stolen for the full run down on protecting your new investment.
Consistent with our last post, the popularity of commuter cycling is growing due to cash concerns. Recent research indicates that some people are turning to loans to buy high quality commuter bikes, including electric bikes. This gives people a more economical alternative to transportation, even if they don’t have cash in hand.
For the full article, check out “Popularity of Cycling for Commute Grows Due to Cash Concerns.”
The New York Times has uncovered the average *actual* cost of owning a car — taking into account the cost of the vehicle, insurance, registration fees, and the host of other sneaking expenses. And this cost is nothing to sneer at: $8,758 per vehicle for the year 2007. Wow!
Paul White of NYC’s Transportation Alternatives then calculated the average annual cost of bicycle ownership to be a mere $390. That even includes a theft allowance.
Electric bikes are more expensive than straight mechanical bikes, but they also allow for longer, less sweaty commutes. On the Ecobike, charging the battery doesn’t really add to the expense as much as many expect: less than a dime per charge, although this varies based on local electric costs.
For full details on the calculations, see “The Costs of Owning a Car” on the New York Times.
Representative Wayne Krieger of Salem is the chief architect of House Bill 3008, which would require every bicycle owner in Oregon to pay a mandatory $54 registration fee, and then renew it every other year for the same fee.
He explained, “This is an opportunity for the bicyclists to start contributing to our roads,” he said. “If you want to have something that everybody is going to use, than everybody needs to contribute to what’s there… if there were not bicycles we wouldn’t need bicycle lanes.”
He also said the tags would give drivers a way to track down cyclists who cause accidents.
Asked if he cycles, Krieger responded that he’s “not into it.”
For a full discussion of the bill and an interview with Krieger, see BikePortland.org’s A conversation with Rep. Krieger about his bike registration bill.
HolisticMamma over at the Holistic Family Movement Show has written an article on “How to Live Happily Without a Car in Five Easy Steps.”
She gives three reasons why you should bother:
1. It’s better for your health because you’ll need to walk or bike to get places;
2. It’s better for your pocketbook because you’ll save thousands by not owning a car; and
3. It’s better for the environment because you’ll reduce your carbon footprint dramatically.
The author wisely includes getting an electric bicycle as one of the important steps to living happily without a car.
For all five steps, visit the full article here: “How to Live Happily Without a Car in 5 Easy Steps.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of San Jose Gets Green and Orders EcoBikes
SAN JOSE, CA – The City of San Jose has ordered EcoBike electric bicycles for their employees to use for work-related trips around town.
San Jose is the first US city to order these clean and quiet electric bikes for their employees. In June 2008, Scott Shaw, president and co-developer of the EcoBike, introduced the Mayor of San Jose Chuck Reed to the Elegance EcoBike. After the Mayor took a test spin, the City ordered six EcoBikes for employees to use for everyday transportation. Using EcoBikes instead of gasoline-fueled cars will reduce the environmental impact of short trips around town on government business.
The changing economic climate that has presented a challenge for many businesses has actually increased interest in the EcoBike. Higher gas prices and environmental awareness have made consumers, and now the City of San Jose, interested in transportation alternatives. EcoBike has responded to that interest by offering a responsible, affordable, and fun way to commute to work and run errands. Scott Shaw explains, “I wanted to do something good for the environment, and my main goal was a quality product that was good for people socially and physically.”
EcoBike is based in Medford, Oregon. Photos, reviews, and ordering information can be found on the EcoBike electric bicycle website at http://www.ecobike-usa.com.
EcoBike North America Inc.
1236 Disk Dr.
Medford, OR 92501
Phone 541-210-5546
Chris Robertson just posted an article, “How to Fit Electric Bikes Into Your Lifestyle.” He explores the advantages of electric bike ownership and how to use an electric bike for exercise. Robertson does a great job of explaining why so many people enjoy using electric bicycles for commuting to work –
“Using your electric bike for commuting back and forth to work helps clear your mind and makes you feel good all day. When you ride your electric bike to work, you don’t have to worry about the excess perspiration, which can be an issue with a conventional bike on warm days. You move faster on the electric bike, which increases wind chill, thus keeping you cool. When the weather is hot, you maintain a normal speed by letting the electric motor take over. In cold weather, you can turn the motor off. Once you arrive at work, you have a few minutes to relax because of the time saved by not having to ride the bus or go through the hassle of searching for a parking space.”
Read the whole article, “How to Fit Electric Bikes Into Your Lifestyle,” on Moon Light Coming.
EcoBike USA has launched a blog which will feature news, updates, stories and resources for electric bicycle enthusiasts. We aim to help the public get to know both our products and our company, while increasing customer-manufacturer communication and interaction.
EcoBike is an international designer of high-quality electric bicycles. Our flagship bike is the Vatavio, a fold-and-carry electric bicycle that weighs only 48.6 pounds.
In the past year, EcoBike has been undergoing tremendous expansion in the US, especially in the Pacific Northwest. In 2009, we will release the Adventure, a crossover electric bike that can handle off-road trails. With the fuel crunch and an increasing awareness of environmental and health concerns, the upcoming year should be a great one for the electric bicycle industry.
Please add us via the subscription link in the sidebar if you would like to stay informed. We anticipate having much good news to share as EcoBike grows and expands in the US.
