The division between bicycles, and motorcycles

[biknut]

I think electric bicycles will eventually destroy the division between bicycles, and motorcycles. There's no way to stop it, because it's progress. Who goes out now to buy a lawn mower, and comes home with a push mower? The answer is nobody except someone that can't afford any other kind. Who buys a TV without remote control. Do they even make them that way anymore?

Soon you'll be able to buy an electric bicycle that can take you anywhere, at speeds that will rival small motorcycles. Motorcycles themselves will become smaller, and lighter, because electric motors won't need to be as big, and bulky as gas powered engines with the same output.

The advantage of being able to pedal an electric bicycle for exercise and economy won't go unnoticed either. Add ease of parking, and overall cost, and I can see room for explosive growth for higher powered, light weight electric bicycles coming soon.

 

[biknut]

This is an interesting article. This guy obviously is a scooter man, and he thinks eScooter sales are slower than they might be if not for the bad reputation of eBikes (electric bicycles). I doubt that's the case, but he does have a point about the pitiful performance of eBikes. Of course it's well understood that the lack of performance is because of manufacturers trying to meet legal requirements, but that doesn't change the fact that the requirements in most cases are ridiculous.

There's really two kinds of eBikes. Factory built, and home built. I think it's a good sign that as time goes by, a lot of factory bikes are becoming faster. eBikes aren't ever going to be practical for transportation until you can ride one fast enough to not block traffic on a city street, and there's really no good reason for them not to be.

All of the home built eBikes my friends own are 30+ mph machines, and they're all happy with their bikes.

I think the best solution would be for the eBike factory's to follow the lead of every other bike manufacturer, and offer aftermarket high performance kits for their bikes, for off road use. That would allow then to stay legal, and at the same time satisfy our need for speed.

http://motorscooterguide.net/Articles/electric/the-future-could-be-electric.html