Categories
Ebikes

Bloomberg for E-bikes?

I never expected this from Bloomberg, but here it is, How to Make Cities Safer for E-Bikes by Ira Boudway really makes the case for the use of ebikes (my preferred spelling) in the city:

“With battery-powered motors that assist riders as they pedal, e-bikes enable a broader range of people to make more and longer trips than traditional bikes. And they are cheaper, more efficient, and less resource-intensive to manufacture than electric cars.”

So there are real economic and environmental benefits to ebike travel, as cited in the article, like ~60% of car rides in US are less than 6 miles/round trip (2017), meaning that a majority of our trips could be done easily by ebike.

But most importantly, Boudway emphasizes that safety is the main concern blocking wider adoption, and that this is best addressed through infrastructure choices that allow mixed use of our public spaces.

A 2018 poll from People for Bikes found that people “said that roads are not safe enough for families to bike and, of those, 63% said they would ride if they felt safer. The best way to make riders safer is to protect them from cars.”

7-Line Bloomington
7-Line Bloomington

So count me in, paint is not enough to stop aggressive drivers from making the streets feel unsafe!

Categories
Ebikes

Ebike racks for travel

Lots of folks want to take their ebikes with them when traveling, and there are a number of racks out there. I can’t recommend any of them from experience, but here are a few racks I see mentioned frequently online. The ones built specifically for ebikes can be a bit pricey, but are elegant. The ones built for dirt bikes are sturdier, but maybe a bit clunkier, but definately cheaper.

Hollywood Ebike rack
Hollywood Ebike rack

The most expensive is the Thule at $900
Thule EasyFold XT 2: https://www.amazon.com/hule-Easyfold-Hitch-Mount-Carrier/dp/B07954CY49/

1Up is a brand many folks seem to like it at $700
Super Duty Double
https://www.1up-usa.com/product/2in-super-duty-double-bike-rack/

The Hollywood rack is often most recommended on many of the ebike groups on FB, at $500
Hollywood Racks Sport Rider 2 bike https://www.amazon.com/Hollywood-Racks-Sport-Rider-

Here is a typical dirt bike rack that will easily carry two ebikes for $400.
Rage Powersports Black Widow AMC-600-2 https://www.amazon.com/Black-Widow-AMC-600-2-Aluminum-Motorcycle/dp/B004HL5SF0/

Forest Road
Forest Road
Categories
Ebikes

Zephyr Ebike Workshop

Zephyr-Ebikes Shop
Zephyr E-Bike Workshop

Hi, Mitch here at Zephyr Ebike Workshop. We order, assemble, service/repair all makes and models of ebike here in Bloomington Indiana. Need help deciding what to buy? Stop by, call, or email, and chat with us about your plans. What style is right for you, what is your budget, what brands then should you consider? Once that is worked through, just order the ebike and have it sent to us for assembly, and 2 days later, you will have your new tuned-up and charged ebike to begin your adventures.

Scroll down to my blog posts for notes about ebikes we’ve seen in the shop, trends in the micromobility world, tips on maintenance and upkeep, and more. There are numerous brands, and many styles out there, each ebike his its own character, strengths and challenges, and they are all useful in their own way.

Check out my Mastodon feed for even more chatter about the micromobility, safe streets and bike/ped infrastructure. I’ve linked my older blogs posts (Btown Biking) about riding around Monroe county (and our many hills), as well as the music I’ve recorded over the years. Please peruse the site, and enjoy!

Zephyr & RadRunner
Zephyr & RadRunner