I want to be that guy that bike commutes to work every day for the health and environment benefits.

Now to that reality, I realistically ride my bike to work once to a couple of time a week.  That is, in the spring and fall on every other week.

Sound familiar?  I will tell you that I found a very fun compromise, the electric assist bike hub.  This is increasing in popularity at an astonishing rate.  While we are in the infancy stages in the States, a New York Times article published in 2010 noted:

“[A]n estimated 120 million electric bicycles now hum along the roads, up from a few thousand in the 1990s.  They are replacing traditional bikes and motorcycles at a rapid clip and, in many cases, allowing people to put off the switch to cars.

“In turn, the booming Chinese electric-bike industry is spurring worldwide interest and impressive sales in India, Europe and the United States.  China is exporting many bikes, and the Western manufactures are also copying the Chinese trend to produce models of their own.  From virtually nothing a decade ago, electric bikes have become an $11 billion global industry.”

For me it started on the internet reading and researching my options.  Building one of these cost me $800 and took only about two hours and a few wrenches to install.  I installed the kit on an older full suspension mountain bike we had hanging in the garage.  By contrast, a new, fully-installed electric bike ranged from $549 at WalMart to a range between $1500 and $4500, depending on the bike and kit I wanted.

Finding the right battery is the most important, but also the most expensive part of this bike, and I would caution potential buyers to ensure they are getting the battery for their buck.   One of the biggest barriers to electric bikes used to be the weight of the battery, but with the newer Lithium Ion and LiPO battery packs the weight has been greatly reduced.  My 48 volt 18 amp hour batter only weighs 14.5 pounds and will carry me more than 20 miles without pedaling.  The more I assist the battery pedaling, the further my range.

This electric kit has helped me overcome some of the common problems that a fair-weather commuter like me struggles with.  I don’t have the same cool-down when I get to work.  I don’t hide behind the excuse of not having time to get to an appointment.   I also have found that the electric assist really helps with the hills and when I am using a bike trailer to pull my son.   Lastly, it is fun and I get to park in the bike racks just outside the front door at work; not at the end of the parking lot.

You know, I was very surprised to have a conversation with a fellow electric bike rider at my local Albertson’s last fall– and based on how much fun an electric bike is to ride, I hope to see you out riding in the near future!