E-Bikes

Here are 6 of the lightest e-bikes for easy city riding

Written by:

In the realm of urban commuting, the quest for the lightest e-bikes has led to the emergence of some remarkable contenders. These innovative rides have been meticulously crafted to offer portability, convenience, and a seamless integration of electric assistance. Let’s delve into the details of these top lightweight hybrid e-bikes that are redefining urban commuting.

LeMond Prolog

At the forefront of this movement is the LeMond Prolog. With a design that blends aesthetics and functionality, this flatbar e-bike is tailor-made for urban living. Its striking appearance is matched only by its remarkable portability. The lightweight at 26 pounds makes it effortlessly easy to carry up flights of stairs, offering a practical solution for city dwellers. But the true magic happens when you’re in the saddle. The electric assist is so well integrated into the riding experience that you might momentarily forget it’s there. This e-bike embodies the perfect balance of style, performance, and convenience, making it a compelling choice for those seeking both a functional ride and an eye-catching design.

Specialized Turbo Vado SL 

Another heavyweight contender in the lightweight e-bike arena is the Specialized Turbo Vado SL. This e-bike is a testament to intelligent design and versatility not to mention very lightweight at 33 pounds. Its agile handling and refined motor system ensure a smooth and responsive ride, tailored for city streets. The versatility of the Turbo Vado SL 5.0 lies in its various specifications, catering to different preferences and needs. The inclusion of the FutureShock suspension headset adds an extra layer of comfort, although its effectiveness on city roads might be a subject for consideration. With an optional range extender, you can push the boundaries of your journey even further, showcasing Specialized’s commitment to enhancing the urban commuting experience.

in Featured  by Forsyth 0 comments

CalBike Joins Panel on E-Bike Incentives at Micromobility Conference

From CalBike.org

In October, Micromobility America brought a two-day conference and trade show of alternative transportation to Richmond, California. Exhibitors included manufacturers of a range of e-bikes and scooters, app developers, and even representatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation. CalBike participated in one of the many panel discussions, and you can view the recording below.

Our panel was titled How Cities Can Incentivize Electric Bikes and was expertly moderated by Colin Hughes. The panelists were:

  • Ed Clancy from Pedal Ahead, which is administering the statewide E-Bike Incentive Program
  • Heather House, a manager at the Rocky Mountain Institute, which has developed a tool for cities to measure the impact of e-bikes on reducing greenhouse gas emissions
  • Kerby Olson, new mobility supervisor at OakDOT, which is preparing to introduce a local e-bike program
  • Brett Wiley, senior program associate at East Bay Community Energy (since renamed Ava Community Energy, providing green energy in the San Joaquin Valley as well as the East Bay), which is planning an ambitious e-bike incentive program for its customers
  • Laura McCamy, communication specialist and e-bike advocate for CalBike.

Read more

in Featured  by Forsyth 0 comments

Electric bicycles are now outselling electric cars and plug-in hybrids combined in the US

From Elektrek.co

by Micah Toll

Electric bicycle sales have been on a skyward trajectory since early in the pandemic, and new numbers show they are selling more units than electric cars and plug-in hybrids combined.

Those figures recently released by the Light Electric Vehicle Association trade group help bolster the case for personal electric vehicles as alternatives to larger cars and trucks.

According to data released by the LEVA, the US saw nearly 790,000 electric bike imports in 2021. That marks a 70% increase from the 463,000 imports in 2020.

Also in 2021, Americans purchased 652,000 electric cars and plug-in hybrids, according to BloombergNEF.

That data for electric bicycle adoption in the US sits far behind Europe, where e-bike sales have outpaced electric car and hybrid sales for years, and are on pace to outsell all cars (ICE included) in the next few years.

Europe and Asia still handily outsell the US when it comes to electric bikes. The LEVA estimates sales of 3 million and 35 million electric bicycles annually in Europe and Asia, respectively.

Image courtesy of Aventon

Read more

in Featured  by Forsyth 0 comments

8 Health Benefits of Riding an Electric Bike

From Evelo.com

Riding an electric bike, whether as you commute or just for fun, can significantly contribute to your health, improving cardiovascular conditioning, improving brain function, and helping you maintain healthy body weight.

Bike riding is one of many kinds of exercise that get you outside, elevate your heart rate, and induce the many benefits of physical activity.

Improve Your Heart Health

Several studies have demonstrated a connection between bicycling and improved heart health.

In 2017, for example, researchers from the University of Glasgow found an association between bicycling to work and a lower risk of premature death after studying 264,337 people for five years. In fact, cycling about 30 miles a week was shown to significantly lower the risk of heart disease.

“Cycling all or part of the way to work was associated with a substantially lower risk of adverse health outcomes. Those who cycled the full length of their commute had an over 40 percent lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and overall mortality over the five years of follow-up,” said Dr. Jason Gill of the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, according to a Cycling Weekly article.

If one assumes regularly riding a bicycle or electric bike (perhaps 30 miles per week) is similar to bike commuting, it will follow that regularly riding — whether to work or not — may help improve heart health specifically and overall health generally.

Finally, UPMC Pinnacle reported that “people who biked regularly had about 15 percent fewer heart attacks than non-cyclists. Even small amounts of time devoted to the activity were linked to lower rates of heart disease.”

Strengthen Your Cardiovascular System

As we have previously reported, “cycling on an electric bike just a few times each week can improve an adult’s cardiorespiratory performance and general health in ways similar to riding a conventional bicycle or taking vigorous walks, according to several clinical studies.”

“One of the most telling studies, released in the May 2018 edition of the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, compared the peak oxygen uptake (VO2 max) of 32, overweight adults before and after four weeks of bicycle commuting.”

Separately, according to Dr. Amar Singal, a cardiologist, “cycling is one of the best cardio exercises for people of all age groups and all body types. It not only helps burn calories and keeps weight under control, but also helps build stamina and increase muscle and bone strength. Being a low impact exercise, it is also soft on the joints and unlike hard gym training sessions, it doesn’t put you at risk of overuse injuries or sprains. This is why it can also be taken up by elderly people who have arthritic joints.”

Photo by Gotrax on Unsplash

Read more

in Featured  by Forsyth 0 comments

More people in California are buying eBikes to combat record-high gas prices

From ABC10.com

The electric bike market in the U.S. has experienced a recent boom in sales, particularly in California.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As gas prices hit a new record high every other week, more and more people are opting for more fuel efficient methods of transportation, specifically electric bikes.

A recent study reveals that electric bikes, also known as eBikes, are dominating the market with upwards of 130 million units expected to be sold globally between 2020 and 2023.

Jacob Stabler, co-owner of ATV Wholesale Outlet in Sacramento, is experiencing the spike in eBike sales firsthand as lately he is hardly able to keep up with the demand.

“We tapped into just the right market at just the right time,” Stabler told ABC10. “We’re starting to see a little bit of a downturn in sales on the gas powered stuff and now we’re seeing a shift in desire from consumers for the electric bikes,”

The long-standing family-owned motorsports shop has made the decision recently to stock up on eBikes following soaring gas prices and a noticeable trend in the consumer market.

“In the last year, we decided to dabble with some of the electric bikes and it absolutely exploded,” Stabler said. “We’ve traditionally for 17 years been a gas-powered dealership, but every day we open up the store and people are coming in for more and more electric bikes.”

While already an extremely popular mode of transportation for decades in Asian and European countries, the U.S. is only considered at a median growth rate in eBike sales and popularity.

Nonetheless, the U.S. is seeing higher rates of growth and interest in electric bikes every year.

Stabler thinks people are opting for electric bikes because they are only pennies at a charge compared to the amount people are paying to get around in a gas-powered vehicle these days.

Pat Kendrix, who works in San Francisco, says she has to commute four days a week from Castro Valley and spends over $100 a week on gas.

Image courtesy of RadPower

 

Read More

in Featured  by Forsyth 0 comments