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Wednesday, January 8, 2014

I'm pretty sure I was just hit by a black hatter.

Wrote this for some guy claiming he wanted to set up a kickstarter to build an electric bike.  As it was rejected.. I post it here to establish ownership. (After a few edits... and a picture.)

My cargo bike in the snow with a week's worth of groceries for two.


Electric Cargo Bikes Save Money and Time

Today sees our society facing an uncertain energy future. We are already past peak oil production. Fuel prices will continue to rise. We must embrace new technologies and new ways of doing things in order to adapt to the changing times. Or, as the case may be, the wedding of tried and true techniques to new technology.

Almost everyone has ridden a bike. We all know that they work and that they work very well for daily transportation. In fact, biking has become a popular and inexpensively effective way to get around quickly. In cities big and small you will see people zipping around on their day's business on bikes. 

Unlike an auto, a bike requires no expensive gasoline. The costs for a bike's maintenance and upkeep are far less too. A bike may need new tires every few years, a cable or brake may need to be replaced or the saddle replaced. And, it is advised that a heavily ridden bike undergo a professional overhaul once each year. Still, the price of bike tires, cables and brakes plus a mechanic's time is a mere fraction of the comparable work on a car.

There are a few minor issues with the use of a bike as one's main form of transportation. You are the engine. If you are tired, ill or disabled you may have trouble using a bike. If you have a heavy load to transport, you may be unsure as to how you are going to transport it on a bike. And, your speed is entirely dependent on your own muscles. An electrically backed up cargo bike goes far to answer these concerns.

On an electric cargo bike you get around quickly and cheaply even if ill. The 'fuel' is readily available in your own home. You simply plug into the wall and you are good to go in a matter of hours. The power provided by the electric motor serves to back up and enhance your own capabilities. You may also coast along if tired or ill. Some models even charge up as they are pedaled! The capability added by the electric power gives you much of the freedom of the automobile but without the high cost of fuel.

The cargo capabilities are priceless. Most trips made by people are made to fetch groceries or other needed goods and bring them back to the home. Traditional bikes offer little in the way of carrying abilities. Food is bulky, heavy and a necessity. The built in abilities of this bike will take the trouble out of any grocery run. Front and rear racks allow pannier or baskets to be easily snapped on or off as needed. Nothing could be simpler.

It makes sense that we seek the least expensive and most effective transportation methods available. Adding electrical power to the time tested and very green bicycle  will allow many more people to adopt a bike instead of a car lifestyle. Nothing but good can come from this paradigm shift.

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