Is there an australian company that makes bicycle generators.?

best electric bikes in australia image

Gee 18

Like a training bike connected to an electric motor that charges a battery. I can buy one from america but want to shop local.

Answer
Yes, there are a few different brands. While Yahoo Shopping Australia and NZ didn't have many leads, I was able to find the motor kits, and the bicycles by doing a search: AUSTRALIAN ELECTRIC BICYCLES.

Check out NavTrak, which features hybrid bicycles:

http://energy.sourceguides.com/businesses/byP/ev/eBike/byGeo/byC/Australia/Australia.shtml

I would contact a few dealers directly because it wasn't clear, on the models I saw, whether the battery recharges while peddling. Usually, the generator is small and only powers the lights.

Check out the Australia Bike companies:

http://electric-bikes.com/retailers.htm#Europe

There is a brand called "Charger" that is based in San Francisco. It's models feature battery recharging while pedaling. Maybe a local bicycle shop would order one for you.

Here's a list of a few bicycle clubs in Australia that may be able to help with more info:
http://www.ihpva.org/Chapters/localclubs.html

If you made 200,000$ a day, what would your new lifestyle be like?

Wear water

I would have a new room, a serious checking and savings account, everything on my someday wish-list, a pretty dress, etc.

Answer
200 grand a day?

Actually the US Government could have given all of us a one billion dollars, and it still would have been cheaper than all the stimulus bills and job creation false starts we've seen now.

And 200 grand a day would be skimmed off with taxes, so it's more like 50 grand a day. I can still work with that.

I'd live like a king, that's for sure. Travel a lot, see interesting places, not the trendy tourist traps. Always wanted to drive across Australia's Outback. Go for a lengthy cruise because I love ships. I'd build my own speakers for every room, just because I would enjoy building them. I'd buy a 72 inch TV and use it as a computer monitor. I'd buy Alienware computers or Powermacs.

I'd have a nice house built, lots of big windows. I'd buy the road bike and mountain bike of my dreams. I'd buy the biggest SUV available.

I would also start some kind of self-sustaining charity. See a need and meet it ten or 20 fold. Does someone need to collect 100 blankets or winter coats, I'd meet it with 100 more. Or pay several families' heating bills for the entire winter, or keep them cool. I'd have the wiring torn out of poor peoples' homes and have it replaced with new up-to-date wiring, then add an air conditioners and pay their electric for the year.

I would also pledge to help my family, whatever they needed. Medical bills, the roof of their home was torn off in a storm, the entire plumbing or electrical in a house has to be replaced, things like that.


And no doubt, there would be new found friends and "family" I never knew I had!

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What electric engine for my Pedal-Electric bike?

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Francesco

Dear guys,
I'm going to turn my bike in a Pedal-Electric bike as a DIY work.
I saw there are a lot of motors:
250W
350W
500W
750W
1000W
Can you suggest me the best (couple or single) batteries (Watt and Ah) to bind with these motors?

Answer
You have to first ask yourself what kind of performance is required from your vehicle and what kind of budget you have to work with.

If you have lots of hills in your area of travel and / or think you might be packing quite a load you might want to consider a more powerful motor. The same might be true if you wanted to go faster but then you might want to consider a fairing to cut the wind resistance that is more of a factor at higher speed.

For a more powerful motor you will need to have batteries with a higher capacity for the same distance. Higher battery capacity will increase your distance you can travel. A too powerful motor will tend to drain your batteries unnecessarily.

You may also wish to consider the weight of the components as there may be times that you will be powering the bike without the benefit of the motor. A lighter weight will also extend your range.

I assume this will be your first project of this type. You are therefore likely going to want to gain from the experience while keeping the cost of the education to a minimum. I might suggest you go for a medium range of performance or cost. Good luck with it. If you document the conversion with pictures and a story you could post it on instructables.com or another site.

When the Democrats controlled both houses and the White House did they?

Barney the

just show up and vote "present"?

Or did they use their historic opportunity to balance the budget?

Answer
They decided the best thing they could do, was to jump start the economy, by shooting it in the foot with Obama Care, and then they broke out the national credit card, and decided to go on a spending spree. They spent, or borrowed and spent (almost make you miss the tax and spend dems), money on such high priority projects such as....

$25 billion annually maintaining unused or vacant federal properties
$60 billion annually wasted in health care fraud
$9 billion annually Earned Income Tax Credit overpayments
$2 billion annually by Conservation Reserve program pays farmers not to farm
$600 million annually in food stamp overpayments.
$120 million annually in school lunch program abuse costs .
$800 million annually in veterans' program overpayments cost
$50 million annually for U.S. Postal Service selects an average of 1,125 employees daily, to sit in empty âstandby rooms", and do nothing, due to over staffing
$146 million annually in flight upgrades due to federal employees refusing to fly coach
$15 million annually by the National Institutes of Health to rent a labs it cannot use
$20 million annually for prisoners getting SSI relating to their alleged disabilities
$1.4 billion in overpayments to disability beneficiaries
$112 million paid out by the IRS to fraudulent returns filed by prisoners
$423,500 stimulus funds to find out why men don't like to wear condoms
$2.6 million training Chinese prostitutes to drink more responsibly on the job.
$1 million in stimulus funds for a genitalia-washing program in Africa
$1 million stimulus grant to researching gay males penis size
$400,000 stimulus grant research in Buenos Aires bars on gay men's risky sexual behavior
$1.44 million stimulus grant to study male prostitutes in Vietnam
$239,100 stimulus grant to study of how Americans use the Internet to find love
$168,766 stimulus grant study sexual behavior of monkeys by analyzing monkey feces in Africa
$3 billion re-sanding beaches (even as this new sand washes back into the ocean).
$50 million in erroneous refunds to 230,000 Medicare recipients
$3.9 million by Securities Exchange Commission, rearranging desks & offices at its headquarters
$2.5 million in stimulus checks sent to the deceased
$10 million to renovate an abandoned train station that has not been used in 30 years
$100 million on unused flight tickets, Defense Department bought, never bothered to collect refunds even though the tickets were refundable
$2.8 million stimulus sent to a Wisconsin nursing home that didnât need or request it
$ 50,000 a piece for paintings of high-ranking government officials.
$356,000 stimulus grant to study how kids perceive foreign accents.
$900,000 in federal stimulus funds on a new bike signs in Oregon, even though the city already has similar bike signs, which it plans to leave up.
$200,000 stimulus grant to study why political candidates make vague statements
$615,000 so the University of California at Santa Cruz could digitize Grateful Dead photographs, tickets, backstage passes, fliers, shirts and other memorabilia
$1.2 million spent trying to find out if a mother rat on cocaine will abandon her babies
$535 million stimulus loan to Solyndra to create green jobs making solar panels. The company is now bankrupt, laying off over 1,000 employees. Sending those jobs overseas to China
$2 million stimulus funds to send researchers to the Southwest Indian Ocean Islands and Africa, to capture, photograph, and analyze thousands of exotic ants
$296,385 in stimulus funds to study âdog domestication"
$2.4 billion spent by Congress on 10 new jets the Pentagon insists it does not need and will not use.
$450,000 by the State Department on a art shows in Venice, Italy.
$529 million stimulus loan Energy Department's to the start-up electric car company, in Finland

Basically by most estimates, they spent $533,000 per job, saved or created, by the stimulus plan. By using Washington DC math and way of calculating, unemployment is running around 9%. In reality, it is more like 16%.

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What is riding one of the electric power assist bicycles like?

best electric bike for hills image

Q. The only thing I've heard is that they even out hills a little. What else have you heard? Are they worth the high price?

Answer
You can buy a nice shop quality bike for the same price as a cheap electric bike. You will benefit from the exercise and be a lot healthier. Don't expect the batteries to last long on the cheap bikes so you end up with a 70 lb bicycle or ending up pedaling harder then a regular bike. Expect to buy a new battery pack every 6 months or so.

Why doesnt the electric start on my motorcycle work?

jamminjake

It fires up if I push it down a hill and drop it in gear, but the electric start doesnt even attepmt to crank the engine. Its a 2003 lifan 250 and I have absolutly no idea where to start looking for a problem. However I did check the fuse inline with the starter, unfortunatly, it was fine. Any suggestions?

Answer
How old is the battery? Even if they are well cared for a motorcycle battery usually only lasts about 3 years. If the battery is more than 3 years old, maybe it's time for a new one.

Are you positive the battery has a full charge. Don't judge by the lights. They can deceive you.

A motorcycle battery in good condition will lose about 1% charge every day. It is also bad to let a motorcycle battery go below 50% charge. Letting the battery go below 50% charge and sulfation can happen. This is a condition where sulfur crystals from the sulfuric acid in the battery will form on the lead plates. When this happens the battery doesn't release the amount of energy it should and it will not accept a full charge like it should. They even make solar powered float chargers if a power source is not available.

Best to keep the battery fully charged in storage. If you intend to not use the bike for about 3 weeks or more connect a battery tender, sometimes called a float charger to the battery. This will maintain the battery at 100% charge without overcharging.

If you must use a battery charger charge at a rate of no more than 2 amps. Anything more than 2 amps will cause permanent damage to the battery.

Check the acid level in the battery. Motorcycle batteries are usually translucent with high and low acid level marks on the case. If needed, fill with distilled water only. Tap water contains minute amounts of minerals and chemicals that will harm your battery.

Make sure your battery terminal connections are clean and corrosion free. Clean with a wire brush. You can also use a mixture of baking soda and water.

Once you get the connections clean, put a little dielectric grease on the cable ends and terminals. This will prevent corrosion in the future.

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What size of electric motor can carry someone?

best electric bike commuter image

umadbro

Whats the smallest motor that can probably move someone, for instance 49cc gas motor can move the bike and a person on it.

Can 1hp or 3 hp electric engine have enough power to move someone? Not on a bike necessarily

Answer
500 watts = 1/2 horsepower.

Electric mobility scooters and wheelchairs have about 1/2 horsepower motors.
Many recreational and commuter scooters also have 1/2 horsepower motors.

It's about gearing. You could easily use a 1/10 horsepower motor if you geared it to run a couple of miles per hour.

Where can I buy a Surrey Bike or a electric Pedicab?

Master1992

are these vehicles good and reliable for me to commute to work in?

Which is better, a Surrey Bike or an electric Pedicab?

Please explain and HONEST answers only.

Answer
You can buy one from the surrey bike company they are around $3000 dollars, and peddling your little heart out you would probably top out at around 8 miles per hour
http://surreycompany.com/surrey.htm

IMAHO it would be a nightmare trying to commute to work in this get up let alone maintain one.

For around same amount of scratch you can almost have Bruce Gordon build you a first class commuter/touring frame:
http://www.bgcycles.com/customgallery.html

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Would it be feasible to bring one of those small suitcases on wheels to Disney World?

the best electric bicycle of the world image

Rohoabcd

I will be traveling to Disney World with my daughter and 3 grandboys. Would it be feasible to bring one of those rolling suitcases through the park to carry souvenirs, goodies, etc? Or would it just be a bother and inconvenience.

Answer
Actually, they are pretty particular about wheels according to policy. But depending on who the Cast Members on duty are, they may let you in with it.

Technically the policy says: "Wheels that are allowed in the parks: strollers, wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs and electric conveyance vehicles (ECVs)."

This prohibits skateboards, bicycles, heely's shoes, and I would assume, wheeled suitcases. Personally, I wouldn't risk it.

How much installed solar capacity is needed to completely power a 100% electric car ?

Schiff G

Assuming the solar panels are not connected to the power grid, and assuming an average number of miles traveled per year (say 12,000), and without discussing battery, motor, range or other issues - but assuming it's 100% electric (not a hybrid), and assuming plenty of sun location, how many watts of installed solar capacity is needed to power the car (visualize a pratical car like the EV1 - not like the "cars" they have in the World Solar Challenge race) w/o any other power source? Err on the side of a few too many watts rather than not enough.

Answer
Electric cars get 2-4 miles / kWh. A golfcart type will get more. An electric bicycle can get 100 mpkWh.

Okay, so lets say it gets 2 mpkWh. that's 6000 kWh requirement per year. That can be supplied by a 3 kW array if you live where I do in California. Probably a somewhat smaller array in Phoenix, Arizona. What you can do is look up the average number of peak sun hours for your area on

http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/old_data/nsrdb/redbook/atlas/

Let's say the number you get is 5 hours per day. Multiply that by 360 days per year, and get 1800 hours per year. Then you would divide that into 6000 to get the size of your array, in kW.

Remember, this only powers the car, you would need more if you want to power your house, too.

Good luck!

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Does anyone know where to get a good looking electric bike for around $400 in or close to philadelphia?

best looking electric bikes image

Shock

I need an electric bike for parking issues(tickets)..I am able to spend up to 400 but i also want a good looking bike hahaha..anyone know of a place in or close to the philadelphia area?

Answer
Good electric bikes start at around $1500 and go up from there. Even decent conversion kits are about $1000. Anything lower than that price point will be a slow, disappointing, heavy pile of junk.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/collections/electric_assist/t80_plus_gl/#

Just sell your car, you aren't responsible with a motor vehicle anyway.

I want to buy an electric bike. Which is the best one around?

vaibhav b

I am a 16 year old student and I am looking to buy an electric bike. I have heard that electric bikes are better than the conventional bikes since they do not cause any pollution. But I am apprehensive about the ride quality. I am also confused about which one should I buy. I am from India and do not much about this field.

Answer
A HARLEY DAVIDSON! Or you could choose any type of Shwinn.. Those are good ones.

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Where can i find rented room for long term stay in Nepal?

electric bikes uk best prices image

ScotNepal

Namaste mero nepali satiharu.

Mero naam James ho. Mero nepali naam Roshan ho.
I am friend of Nepal. I have visited many times before and now i am planning to come for long term stay. Maybe 5 or 6 months minimum i will live in Kathmandu.

I do not want to stay in hotel or guesthouse for this amount of time because it will be very expensive for me. So, i have been thinking about renting one room or apartment for my stay.

I am not rich Westerner. I come from working class family in UK, so i do not have enough money for very expensive room. I am looking for somewhere cheap. I need this flat to be completely furnished with bed and TV and cooking equipment.

I have been looking on my laptop at one website but the price is very expensive. Can you please show me any website where i can look at different rooms in Kathmandu for rent?

I need any information.

Thank you my friends :) Have a nice day!

Answer
i think i know one place where you easily stay in there and there was no any expensive cost and there is very nice facilities like We have a beautiful fully furnished one bedroom apartment for short stays in Kathmandu. Our first floor apartment is centrally located and is just 100 meters from the Indian and British Embassy. You would get lovely views of the mountains from the bedroom windows. The accommodation comprises of one bedroom ( Double Bed, TV with DVD, Two in One, Big Almira's ) One big drawing room ( fridge, seating space, books library, fire place ) a small breakfast cum dining room ( With ground sitting Dining Table, Microwave and Electric Kettle ) and a bath with bath tub with running hot and cold water. You could also rent mountain bikes from us for going around Kathmandu. We would also like to offer Toyota Prado on hire for going around Nepal at very reasonable rates. We welcome visitors for short stays and our tariff is very reasonable.

What do you think of a new law: high gas tax with $ set aside for alternative fuel development?

jane doe

I have to do a speech on public policy. I'm not sure if this is already enacted in many places. I don't even drive. Gasoline is taxed, right? But taxes would be increased, which would probably mean people would look for more fuel efficient automobiles (quit driving Hummers). A large portion of the money from the tax would be earmarked for developing and eventually implementing alternative fuels (perhaps the one with the algae). This would be better for everyone because oil won't be available forever at the rate it's used, oil causes wars, it's bad for the environment... people will probably use public transportation more.

Answer
Algae could be the answer, or electric, or hydrogen or hydrogen electric [fuel cell]. You could suggest that engine size & fuel efficiency would be taxed on new cars. It happens here in the UK. A little car pays no tax, a big Range Rover pays over $500 a year. The money isn't really directed into anything [ringfenced] but that's just the way it works, although public transport in rural areas is subsidised. Taxing new cars means those with the money can afford to pay. People with old classics or who can't afford a new car won't have to pay [in the UK pre 1974 cars pay no tax].
The love affair with oil is coming to an end we or rather you [the next generation] need to come up with a better solution.
good luck with your debate

additional: tax on fuel/cars varies from country to country to give you an idea the uk version runs like this. Tax [duty on fuel] it used to be 50% of the cost but as oil prices have gone through the roof it has become less and now is less than 30%. Farmers and fishermen pay no duty [airlines pay nothing too] but oil price is the real cost. The other tax is the yearly road tax, a little mini or small diesel pay $50 a big gas guzzler pays $500. Cars built before 2000 pay either $100 for small cars $200 for bigger. Electric hybrid and gas [lpg] pay nothing. Sales tax of 20% is added to all fuel except heating.

Public transport is for losers! apparently 75% of New Yorkers don't own a car [8% of the rest of the US]. I don't think NYers are losers. I mix up my transport, bike to keep fit, SUV for work, train for long journeys.

with 250 million cars there is potential with just a $4 a year tax to pump $ billion into research. Who would resent saving the planet for the price of a cup of starbucks.

A small tax on new cars would be equal $x 5 million each year and if that tax was annual then it would add to the fund.

The funny thing is that some here feel a greenhouse tax should be on fuel not annual tax, it means you could own a hummer and only use it a few weekends a year. A lot of old cars in the US are classics that are loved and only come out for the odd weekend so it would be unfair to tax them and tax the fuel instead.

Incidentally you don't need a algae engine developed the fuel is the same as bio diesel.

250 million cars, you really love your cars!

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how do i get electric bike to spin the chain?

best electric bike motor kit image

csmuch41

i wanted to make an electric bike but i dont know how to make the chain spin... how does it work?

does electricity and battery make it spin or what how does this all work?

Answer
You are right. An electric motor and battery are what is needed.

But most electric motors are either direct drive in the rear hub OR there is a roller that drives the front wheel directly. With your level of expertise I'd recommend getting a kit. Australia do some good ones.

is it poss to run a bicycle or small motorcycle on 12 volts dc?

oldfarrrrt

i am trying to make an electric bike for my granddaughter. can anyone give me some suggestions on how to accomplish this? what size motor would i use? can the battery be recharged while in use? any info would be appreciated.

Answer
To answer your question, 24 to 36V would be more realistic. 12V will be a very slow e-bike (maybe that's what you want?)

That said, this is a classic make-vs-buy proposition. Let me hazard a guess that you want this by Christmas, and it needs to work, right?

I suggest buy.

The reason is, motors for e-bikes are much more robust than those you might find in a hand tool, kid's ride-on toy or a starter. A typical e-bike motor will be 500W or more sustained duty, and so will have the extra mass and cooling to handle it. A tool or starter motor just isn't built for that kind of duty and will fail in short order.

Plus, the kit will come with a speed control - and if done right the controller will do regenerative charging too.

Lucky for you, there's lots of e-bike kits, both the in-hub style and chain drive. Looks like they run about $400, with the bulk of the cost being the motor and battery.

First link below is to a site that sells both parts and complete kits. (Lots more if you google "electric bike kit" - second link is just an example).

BONUS: sub-8 second electric drag bike (last link.) Just because.

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How can I live a more environmentally conscious life?

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Q. I am learning more about global warming and the impact a family of four has on this earth versus 250 people in an undeveloped nation. Things like this really make me want to get more involved and lessen my footprint on the earth, but how? Where do I start? I want to vote for the right laws to help this but I don't understand them all. I can't afford an electric car or to start using a solar panel for energy, so how can I help?

Answer
The four corner stones of the current environmental movement are Reduce, Recycle, Re-use, and Re-purpose with a theme of Sustainability. The good news is that most of us have plenty of eco-friendly opportunities available to us with equally commiserate financial rewards. In some cases, it does take an investment of time or money before the savings can be realised.

I often suggest that people start scouring the "frugal living" sites and boards for as whole host of money saving ideas. Money is but one resource we use. What we spend our money on involves a whole host of additional resources. Saving resources is what the Reduce, Re-use, and Re-purposing cornerstones are all about. For a personal inventory of opportunity, start by peering into your garbage, recycle, and waste cans and bins. Do you see paper napkins, paper towels, disposable wipes, or individual serving containers in your waste stream? What types of chemical based items do you see in terms of cleaning, garden, and other non-food items? Start with those things that are easy to remedy even if they are a small, over all portion of your waste stream.

Another area to take a personal inventory from is your budgeting system, check book, credit card receipts, cash receipts, bills, etc... These also tell you what you spend your money on, buy, and consume. You may want to address utility bills and/or the resources used that generate those bills. This could be things like using less electricity or water, using less vehicle fuel through combined trips, and so on. Or you could discover that maybe off-road racing could be replaced by pedle bike racing for both an economic and an environmental savings. Some people take up visiting their local library more often for both an economic and environmental savings.

Reviewing one's spending habits also brings up the idea of doing more active purchasing decision making which can also reduce certain types of consumption and hence resource use. Doing things like taking an closet inventory before hitting the mall can help one realise that what they really need is a coordinating piece to something they already own versus a whole new outfit. Developing honest needs criteria and purchasing decisions on tools, equipment, and supplies for either the home or garage; you can add additional environmentally conscious criteria such as durability as you choose too.

For many, minimalist living is not particularly functional for most of us trying to also be environmentally conscious. You may see the need for better window treatments, different landscaping, or some just plain caulk even if you are "only a renter". Cloth linens like napkins, towels, and scrub rags may be an investment opportunity for both financial and enviornmental returns. Individual glass serving containers, a stainless water bottle, and so on may work for you. To be able to honestly Re-use and Re-purpose, most of us need some tools of the trade, to learn some skills, and be able to think outside of the box within the Do-It-Yourself (DYI) frame of mind too.

Start small and with the easy stuff; what may be easy for you is not necessarily going to be easy for me. It's a whole life style change with a number of economic and health benefits that simply happen in the process. And, the opportunities simply keep on coming in easier and easier modes as the rest of the community comes on board.

What does is mean to green: like recycleling and stuff?

My mom wants us to start being more environmentally aware and asked me to look some things up. Can anyone give me any pointers and such? Thanks! ^-^

Answer
show your mom my answer

In Your Home â Reduce Toxicity


Eliminate mercury from your home by purchasing items without mercury, and dispose of items containing mercury at an appropriate drop-off facility when necessary (e.g. old thermometers).
Learn about alternatives to household cleaning items that do not use hazardous chemicals.
Buy the right amount of paint for the job.
Review labels of household cleaners you use. Consider alternatives like baking soda, scouring pads, water or a little more elbow grease.
When no good alternatives exist to a toxic item, find the least amount required for an effective, sanitary result.
If you have an older home, have paint in your home tested for lead. If you have lead-based paint, cover it with wall paper or other material instead of sanding it or burning it off.
Use traps instead of rat and mouse poisons and insect killers.
Have your home tested for radon.
Use cedar chips or aromatic herbs instead of mothballs.

In Your Yard


Avoid using leaf blowers and other dust-producing equipment.
Use an electric lawn- mower instead of a gas-powered one.
Leave grass clippings on the yard-they decompose and return nutrients to the soil.
Use recycled wood chips as mulch to keep weeds down, retain moisture and prevent erosion.
Use only the required amount of fertilizer.
Minimize pesticide use.
Create a wildlife habitat in your yard.
Water grass early in the morning.
Rent or borrow items like ladders, chain saws, party decorations and others that are seldom used.
Take actions that use non hazardous components (e.g., to ward off pests, plant marigolds in a garden instead of using pesticide).
Put leaves in a compost heap instead of burning them or throwing them away. Yard debris too large for your compost bin should be taken to a yard-debris recycler.

In Your Office

Copy and print on both sides of paper.
Reuse items like envelopes, folders and paper clips.
Use mailer sheets for interoffice mail instead of an envelope.Use mailer sheets for interoffice mail instead of an envelope.
Set up a bulletin board for memos instead of sending a copy to each employee.
Use e-mail instead of paper correspondence.
Use recycled paper.
Use discarded paper for scrap paper.
Encourage your school and/or company to print documents with soy-based inks, which are less toxic.
Use a ceramic coffee mug instead of a disposable cup.

Ways To Protect Our Air


Ask your employer to consider flexible work schedules or telecommuting.
Recycle printer cartridges.
Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work.
Report smoking vehicles to your local air agency.
Don't use your wood stove or fireplace when air quality is poor.
Avoid slow-burning, smoldering fires. They produce the largest amount of pollution.
Burn seasoned wood - it burns cleaner than green wood.
Use solar power for home and water heating.
Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers.
Purchase radial tires and keep them properly inflated for your vehicle.
Paint with brushes or rollers instead of using spray paints to minimize harmful emissions.
Ignite charcoal barbecues with an electric probe or other alternative to lighter fluid.
If you use a wood stove, use one sold after 1990. They are required to meet federal emissions standards and are more efficient and cleaner burning.
Walk or ride your bike instead of driving, whenever possible.
Join a carpool or vanpool to get to work.






Ways to Use Less Water

Check and fix any water leaks.
Install water-saving devices on your faucets and toilets.
Don't wash dishes with the water running continuously.
Wash and dry only full loads of laundry and dishes.
Follow your community's water use restrictions or guidelines.
Install a low-flow shower head.
Replace old toilets with new ones that use a lot less water.
Turn off washing machine's water supply to prevent leaks.

Ways to Protect Our Water


Revegetate or mulch disturbed soil as soon as possible.
Never dump anything down a storm drain.
Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly.
Check your car for oil or other leaks, and recycle motor oil.
Take your car to a car wash instead of washing it in the driveway.
Learn about your watershed.


Create Less Trash


Buy items in bulk from loose bins when possible to reduce the packaging wasted.
Avoid products with several layers of packaging when only one is sufficient. About 33 of what we throw away is packaging.
Buy products that you can reuse.
Maintain and repair durable products instead of buying new ones.
Check reports for products that are easily repaired and have low breakdown rates.
Reuse items like bags and containers when possible.
Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones.
Use reusable plates and utensils instead of disposable ones.
Use reusable containers to store food instead of alum

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Save for first car or go through with electric car build?

best electric bikes 2011 image

Alex King

I cannot decide if I want to wait one more year and get a car, or convert another car to electric like I had planned to do. I am afraid that if my dad and I buy the car for conversion, he will not be as willing to put in as much money for my first real car (we have already decided that he will help pay). Which way should I go?

Answer
What do you want to achieve? How much budget do you have? What sort of driving do you do?

If most of your journeys are long distance, or high speed, then forget electric cars right now: they're not the right power source for the job. If most of your journeys are short and on slower roads, then an electric car is in its ideal environment.

If you are converting a car, you'll probably end up with a car with a range of 40-60 miles and a top speed of 55-60mph (depending, of course, on what budget you have). You will end up with something that is unique, but it will probably be fairly slow.

If most of your driving is in a built up area, then that probably isn't an issue for you. In which case, you can go the self-build route if you want an electric car. If you are using new components, then budget $3-4000 for the conversion, on top of the price of the car: more if you want the latest lithium batteries (between you and me, don't go there: they're troublesome. Stick with lead acid batteries which are a lot easier to implement for a home conversion).

If you want a more practical car, that will have great performance and a decent range, you'll have to go the purchase route. Mitsubishi will have their 'i' electric car out in the US very shortly. I've used one in Europe for a year and it is a very good car. Nissan have their LEAF electric car out now, and again that is a superb car: in Europe, it won 'European Car of the Year' award, as voted by the top automotive journalists across Europe.

I've been driving various different electric cars over the past five years, and before that ran a company selling electric bikes. I am the author of 'The 2011 Electric Car Guide'.

What is the next most likely fuel for cars?

Axel

I've heard of hydrogen, solar powered and ethanol powered cars, but is there another one? and is there any that could become standard within 15 years?

Please star this cause I want the most answers for this.

Answer
Some people think that natural gas could be the fuel of choice in some countries in the future as it burns cleaner and is more abundant in the US and others. Bio-butanol could also be one potential source...it's compatible with current engine designs and infrastructures and is renewable using bacteria.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110317102603.htm

Synthetic gasoline can be produced using nanopellets of hydrogen which flow like liquids and burn clean.
http://news.discovery.com/tech/synthetic-gasoline-for-150gallon-and-no-emissions.html

Hydrogen-powered bike..
http://news.discovery.com/tech/magic-powder-fuels-electric-bike.html

Renewable bio-fuels from algae...
http://www.biofueldaily.com/reports/Joule_Unlimited_On_Track_To_Beat_All_Known_Biofuel_Processes_999.html
http://discovermagazine.com/2010/jan-feb/37

Thermal conversion processes or microwaves can turn garbage, wastes, plastics, old tires, etc.. into oil and fuels...
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/flat/bown/2007/innovator_2.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWf9nYbm3ac&feature=related
http://www.i-sis.org.uk/WPIO.php?printing=yes

Food wastes account for a lost 350 million barrels of oil per year in the US alone...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101003081627.htm

Cleaner fuels using plasma..
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100322121100.htm

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Save for first car or go through with electric car build?

best electric bikes of 2011 image

Alex King

I cannot decide if I want to wait one more year and get a car, or convert another car to electric like I had planned to do. I am afraid that if my dad and I buy the car for conversion, he will not be as willing to put in as much money for my first real car (we have already decided that he will help pay). Which way should I go?

Answer
What do you want to achieve? How much budget do you have? What sort of driving do you do?

If most of your journeys are long distance, or high speed, then forget electric cars right now: they're not the right power source for the job. If most of your journeys are short and on slower roads, then an electric car is in its ideal environment.

If you are converting a car, you'll probably end up with a car with a range of 40-60 miles and a top speed of 55-60mph (depending, of course, on what budget you have). You will end up with something that is unique, but it will probably be fairly slow.

If most of your driving is in a built up area, then that probably isn't an issue for you. In which case, you can go the self-build route if you want an electric car. If you are using new components, then budget $3-4000 for the conversion, on top of the price of the car: more if you want the latest lithium batteries (between you and me, don't go there: they're troublesome. Stick with lead acid batteries which are a lot easier to implement for a home conversion).

If you want a more practical car, that will have great performance and a decent range, you'll have to go the purchase route. Mitsubishi will have their 'i' electric car out in the US very shortly. I've used one in Europe for a year and it is a very good car. Nissan have their LEAF electric car out now, and again that is a superb car: in Europe, it won 'European Car of the Year' award, as voted by the top automotive journalists across Europe.

I've been driving various different electric cars over the past five years, and before that ran a company selling electric bikes. I am the author of 'The 2011 Electric Car Guide'.

What is the next most likely fuel for cars?

Axel

I've heard of hydrogen, solar powered and ethanol powered cars, but is there another one? and is there any that could become standard within 15 years?

Please star this cause I want the most answers for this.

Answer
Some people think that natural gas could be the fuel of choice in some countries in the future as it burns cleaner and is more abundant in the US and others. Bio-butanol could also be one potential source...it's compatible with current engine designs and infrastructures and is renewable using bacteria.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110317102603.htm

Synthetic gasoline can be produced using nanopellets of hydrogen which flow like liquids and burn clean.
http://news.discovery.com/tech/synthetic-gasoline-for-150gallon-and-no-emissions.html

Hydrogen-powered bike..
http://news.discovery.com/tech/magic-powder-fuels-electric-bike.html

Renewable bio-fuels from algae...
http://www.biofueldaily.com/reports/Joule_Unlimited_On_Track_To_Beat_All_Known_Biofuel_Processes_999.html
http://discovermagazine.com/2010/jan-feb/37

Thermal conversion processes or microwaves can turn garbage, wastes, plastics, old tires, etc.. into oil and fuels...
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/flat/bown/2007/innovator_2.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWf9nYbm3ac&feature=related
http://www.i-sis.org.uk/WPIO.php?printing=yes

Food wastes account for a lost 350 million barrels of oil per year in the US alone...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101003081627.htm

Cleaner fuels using plasma..
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100322121100.htm

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Can anybody tell me how is the performance of electric bikes & cars .How much economical differece?

best electric bikes under �1000 image

ROCKY

is there as compared to petrol bikes & cars

Answer
"Performance" has several factors. We generally think of this on the basis of an IC engine. As a result we tend to think of acceleration, handling and fuel economy. With battery electric vehicles there is also a reference to the vehicle range on a charge. While "range anxiety" is not usually a consideration in an ICE vehicle I do recall a time in the Australian outback where I would have given almost anything for a petrol station.

Generally it takes longer for electrons to flow into a battery than for gasoline to fill a gas tank. Electrons will flow into an ultracapacitor far more quickly and development of ultracapacitors that can hold sufficient charge will resolve the issue. Alternatively if they can be made cheaply enough they could be included with batteries and will extend the life of batteries and enable the vehicle to be quickly charged with energy (from ultracapacitors at "fueling" stations. Presently the best that an electric vehicle can offer is less concentration on fueling. You fuel at home. It takes seconds to start and stop a charge. The rest of the time you can be doing other things. Alternatively you must make special trips to fueling stations where someone must pay attention to the fueling process.

Batteries in an BEV (battery electric vehicle) are typically low in the vehicle. This improves handling as it lowers the center of gravity. Acceleration in electric vehicles is better than ICE vehicles due to full torque starting from 0 RPM in electric motors.1

Under present economic conditions an electric vehicle can save its owner approximately $1000 to $1400 per year in fueling costs in addition to the increase in performance.2 The vehicle except for batteries has a projected life many times that of ICE vehicles, possibly as much as 80 years as compared to the life expectancy of an ICE vehicle of about 10 years. Present batteries have a life expectancy of between 5 to 10 years and may represent 1/2 the investment in the vehicle. Ultra capacitors would have an expected life that exceeds the rest of the vehicle. There is some question about whether the electric vehicle will depreciate very rapidly with little residual value or if the addition of newer battery packs or even ultracapacitors would be like adding an addition to real estate and possibly restore or even exceed the original value of the vehicle. It may be possible that the vehicles will appreciate rather than depreciate like a very few of the classic ICE vehicles. 3

Could a person under 16 operate a motorized vehicle on a roadway or sidewalk?

Culley

my son is 14 going on 15 and I was wondering if it was legal for him to operate one of the following vehicles on the road or sidewalk:
- Go cart
- Moped (less than 50cc)
- Motorbike (less than 50cc)
- electric motorbike
- A bike converted to run off a chainsaw engine

Just for reference we live in Loudon County, Va. in a suburban bordering on rural area. Also if you know any other street or sidewalk legal vehicles he could operate, could you suggest them? I have a price limit of around $1000, but willing to spring for something if you recommend it. Thanks!!

Answer
Motor vehicle laws are local and this forum is National with international visitors. Your best source of information will be you state DMV which may have some FAQ you could check on a website like this one: http://www.dmv.state.va.us/drivers/#teen.asp

You also might look for your specific question relative to your state

Go carts seem to be available for off road use: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090707204036AAnwhK5 contact those in business for the relative regulations

Mopeds in Va: http://www.scootrichmond.com/shopping-tools/virginia-moped-and-motorcycle-laws

motorized bicycles at less than 49cc would come under the moped exemptions/restrictions: http://www.motoredbikes.com/showthread.php?36692-Motorized-bikes-in-Virginia

Electric bikes seems to also fall under moped rules: http://www.electricvehiclemall.com/pdf/Virginia_E-Bike_Law.pdf

The fatal exclusion is that your son must be 16.

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How do you put a chain driven motor on a bike with suspension?

best buy electric bikes for sale image

Dug

I was thinking about putting a motor on an electric motocross bike so it goes faster, the only problem is is that the motorbike has suspension in the back and I was wondering if a chain driven motor can be mounted so when I hit a bump with the suspension the chain won't pop off or become stressed.

Answer
The sprocket needs to be roughly lined up with the center-line of the swing arm and not far from the pivot point. Just a random gas engine has nearly a zero percent chance of working since the output shaft is usually centered and too high on the engine. That, and you would have to find a clutch for it, make sure the sprockets line up perfectly, and fabricate a mounting system. You would also have to make a functional gas tank unless there was one mounted to the engine.

By the time you were done, you could have sold your old bike and bought a real dirt-bike. I see older used ones for sale in my local CL for $500-1000 all the time.

how do i find out the laws on importing goods from china to the usa?

randybates

i want to buy electric bikes in china, and sell them in america

Answer
You need a customs broker. They know relevant regulations for each commodity. Chances are the only things you'll need to confirm regulation-wise are (1) whether you need to pay duties to Uncle Sam when you bring electric bikes in from China; and (2) whether electric bicycles require UL (underwriter's laboratories) approval.

For info on duties check the US International Trade Commission's Tariff Information Center at the following link:
http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/2005_supp.htm
See chapter 87 "Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof"

Frankly if you don't know the regulations governing the importation of electric bicycles from China into the U.S., then that means you probably have no experience in this industry, and there are more important questions you should be asking, such as:
Who is your target customer and how will you get their attention?
Who are your main competitors?
Why will your target customers buy your bikes and not your competitors'?
What advantage do you have selling electronic bicycles that your competitors don't have?
How will you find suppliers?
Do you have the capital to buy bikes, ship them to the U.S., inventory them, and invest in marketing to sell them?

Keep in mind that suppliers in China only sell large quantities. Unless you are prepared to import full container loads of electric bicycles there is no point buying direct from China. You should first find a domestic wholesaler or importer to buy from, that way you can get your business started with a low capital investment. Your COGs (cost of goods) will be higher, but you won't need to tie up cash in inventory. Focus on developing your customer base and growing sales. As long as you at least break even you are doing great. Then, once you have built up a customer base and have sufficient demand, you can think about finding a supplier in China. When you're at that point give me a call and I can help you - 212-847-7175. Good luck!

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Can the pedaling energy charge the battery of an electric bike?

best electric bike hub image

Drowzzy

Can the mechanical energy of pedaling be stored as electrical energy to be utilized later to run the bicycle automatically? I'm not talking about pure electric bikes that need regular charging, and not even about those that you pedal for a while as the bike stands still and then run it on electric power. I mean can you ride a bike and store the mechanical energy simultaneously? Will it be efficient? If so, then are such e-bikes available in the market, and what are they called so that I may Google for them?

Here's the scenario: I need a bicycle for regular commute, may be even for covering long distances. It's not feasible for a layman to pedal continuously for more than 5 to 10 miles. So I'm looking for a bike that you pedal for sometime, and when you're exhausted, you simply flick a button to make it run on electrical power which has been converted and stored from the mechanical energy of pedaling the bike; and then pedal again and auto-ride again and so forth. Will something like that be technically efficient, since you're moving the bike while pedaling as well as storing your spare energy?

Hope I haven't confused you. Thanks :)

Answer
There is already such a motor on the market. The name escapes me right now but it is a hub built into the rear wheel and it costs about $2000... not the Erbike hub motor... I think it is Electricrider or something like that.

To your request, yes, it is possible and a project I am working on right now. No, I can't and won't divulge details but CAN tell you that you'll see it relatively soon and it WILL be expensive- more expensive than a small motorcycle at this point.

By the way... I typically commute 24 miles (one way) to work on a bicycle, no problem. 5-10 mile commute is simple for most committed riders.

What is the lifespan of an electric bike?

archa_pyus

Say you have an electric bicycle that is used daily, capable of a 30 mile range before needing re-fuelling and a speed range of 3-15mph.

What would be its likely lifespan, i.e. when would the whole thing have to be replaced?

I do not need exact measurements, just the general idea, as it is for a project for which i have to design an electric bike, which i know nothing about.

thank you!

Answer
The life span of an electric bike is mostly determined by the battery. Batteries can have a memory and if recharged before depleting it completely will reduce the capacity and can affect the range.

I would do some research on batteries. You can also look up motorized hubs to put on bikes, they make for the cleanest design.

Motors are rated in watts and most states have regulations that control the maximum amount of power that you can use.

http://www.electricbikesales.co.uk/info/buyingguide/

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What are the steps to make an electric bike out of items that are not 100$?

best quality electric bikes image

teal289

How do I make a motor for a electric bike what pieces do I need ?

Answer
To make a high-quality one that can go fairly fast, you probably couldn't.

On the other hand, if you don't want to go above 15-20mph, you could probably make one for under $100. Buy a cheap broken electric scooter. Chances are the motor on it still works and you can use that. Those motors can get you going close to 20mph with the right gear ratios.

A motor controller could also be obtained from a scooter, or, if the motor you are using is not significantly powerful (<36v), you could probably buy a brand new controller for fairly cheap.

Batteries may cost a little more, but you could get sealed lead acid batteries for under $100 for sure.

Plus, their are the little things like the throttle, which is generally a potentiometer. These can be very cheap on Ebay.

Electric bike- I want to buy one that is top quality and easy to use?

irunwithbu

Any suggestions on a great electric bike?
I want to get a bike that I can pedal and goes maybe 20 mph??

Answer
I bought one recently, but it wasn't top quality - actually it was the cheapest I could find. The E-Zip Mountain Trailz. It's actually pretty good, but the realistic range is only about 13 miles.

I've heard that Giant makes some really good ones:

http://nycewheels.com/giant-electric-bike.html

As does Currie Technologies. They make both the E-Zip (cheap version) and the i-Zip (higher quality).

http://www.currietech.com/html/07_ezip_main_prod.html
http://www.izipusa.com/

The main things you want to look at are range, battery type, and weight. Obviously lighter and longer range are better. Mine claims to go 15-22 miles/charge and only gets 13, so performance may not meet the claims. I think the range claims are based on biking pretty slowly.

Sealed lead acid batteries are the cheapest and most economical, but only last about a year. Bikes with NiMh batteries last about twice as long, but the battery costs about 3 times as much as a SLA battery. Lithium ion batteries are very expensive but last a very long time.

Good luck.

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how do i get electric bike to spin the chain?

best electric bike hub image

csmuch41

i wanted to make an electric bike but i dont know how to make the chain spin... how does it work?

does electricity and battery make it spin or what how does this all work?

Answer
You are right. An electric motor and battery are what is needed.

But most electric motors are either direct drive in the rear hub OR there is a roller that drives the front wheel directly. With your level of expertise I'd recommend getting a kit. Australia do some good ones.

I'm looking for a CVT or IVT transmission for a diy electric bicycle?

Joel

I'm planning out a DIY electric bike, and I want to use a direct drive system. I'm thinking about using a couple angle grinder gear boxes instead of chains and gears, but I need a CVT or IVT transmission. That's Continuous Variable Transmission or Infinite Variable Transmission.
It would be great if there is a power tool or some other low-cost component I could dismantle to easily get one of these transmissions. Go Karts use them, and they are cheaper than I would spend at a bike shop, but they're built really beefy for the kind of strain a Go Kart motor would put on it. Does anyone have a suggestion?

Answer
i have built my own elec bicycle .. i used a " hub motor bicycle kit . total cost of $230 for the kit including charger . throttle , and controller box Then you have to buy the batteries separate or you can buy " chain driven elec bicycle kits " you dont need transmissions using DC elec motors because they ae Variable speed motors . the " throttle " controls the speed. The higher the voltage of system the faster it will go. mine is 36 volt. 500 watt. with 6 - 12 volt 12 amp hour batts to make 2 -36 volt battery banks. next time i will try a 48 volt 1000 kit.

also google " electric bicycle youtube " and " elec bike forums " to learn more. Hub motors are much more efficient and quiter too. .

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Question about electric scooters/bikes with peddles?

best electric bicycle review image

Monica

Okay, I do not know that much about electric scooters/bikes. However, with the raising cost of fuel I am looking into purchasing one. The ones that I have been looking at say they are electric but have peddles. How do these bikes work? Do you have the option to peddle or do you have to peddle? If anyone can help me out, I'd appreciate it!!

Answer
There are loads of different types.

There are electric bicycles, which are basically a combination of an electric scooter and a bicycle. You can both pedal and use the electric motor at the same time or one at a a time. Some examples:

http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/category/electric-bicycles

I owned this one for a while, and reviewed it on this page:

http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/e-zip-mountan-trailz-elec-bike

Then there are the ones that are basically electric scooters which also have pedals. Like this one:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=200325603&R=200325603

On those the pedals aren't very helpful, but basically by pedalling you can make the battery last a little bit longer. Most of the time I don't think you pedal them.

The good thing about those is that at least in California, for a moped with a top speed of no more than 20 mph with pedals, you don't need a motorcycle (M class) license. If you have a moped without pedals, you need the license. Which is stupid, but that's the California law.

Moped laws by state: http://www.mopedarmy.com/wiki/Moped_laws

And then there are electric mopeds and motorcycles without pedals:

http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/category/scooters

Where can I get coupons for Razor E300 Electric Scooter?

Where can I find a discount online for Razor E300 Electric Scooter

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Which pedal assist bicycle can I ride in the UK?

top electric bikes uk image

tarra

I have looked into the uk regulations in regard to the pedal assist bicycles. They are treated like normal bicycles in the UK and can be ridden on shared pathways (pedestrians/cyclists). They are plenty of these where I live so that isn't a problem. I don't want a bicycle that is expensive as all I want it for is to exercise my dog. I have trouble with my legs, they get tired with manual pedal ling so a pedal assist bicycle would be ideal to help me keep up with my dog.

My dilemma is which companies in the UK conform to the UK regulations in pedal Assist bicycles? If they meet the criteria of the UK regulations they don't need to be registered, road taxed or insured hence the need to pick the correct one. I am 5 ft 5 and am looking for an affordable assisted bicycle that will meet my need. I have no intention of riding it on the road as I wouldn't feel safe.

If anyone cn help me pick the correct bicycle I would appreciate it.

Answer
No direct answer here, since the UK often believes it isn't part of Europe, but nevertheless:
- what I can find here (Germany) falls into two classes: Pedelecs with a top speed of 25 kph (and a few limitations), which are legal all across Europe and treated as bicycles, and electric bikes with a top speed of 40 kph (and some other limitations) which are sold only for use within Germany (and need insurance here).
- the basic limitations for the '25 kph' types are that the motor may only support while pedalling and the motor may not support above a speed of 25 kph. There are some types with a 'start assist' function that enables the motor to push without pedalling at speeds up to 6 kph, but while those are legal under German law as bicycles, some insurances don't know yet whether they're going to treat those as regular bicycles (i.e. they're included in any general liability insurance) or not (i.e. you'd need an additional insurance for them if you want it - usually a good idea).
- why don't you go down to your local bike store and ask the people who are selling those things?

I want to convert my bicycle to electric motor, would a 250watt motor be strong enough?

tad t

I have a bike that I ride to work every day, I want to convert it to a bike similar to this http://www.peltzer.net/ebike/ But the motor on that bike is 700+ watt, and he says it goes up to ~27 mph, I am working if this motor would work for me, http://www.cloudelectric.com/product_p/mo-w13113099030.htm , Just a 250watt, I don't need much speed just want to get to and from work but there are some hills both to and from so I'm wondering if this would be strong enough

Answer
I looked at the peltzer site you mention. That was the scariest looking conversion I have seen. If you want random loss of limbs, use that. What you need is a kit which will supply a motor built into front or rear wheel; intelligent controller that varies power drawn from the battery according to need; brake levers that shut off power as well as stop the bike; twist grip or thumb throttle control; carrier for battery and proper lithium battery. I do not know where you live or what your local laws regulating electric bikes are. In the UK and rest of the EU, bicycles must be Pedelec with a maximum motor power of 250 watts and top speed under power of 15 mph. When pedaling only you can go as fast as you like. If you know all this, apologies for repeating it. I have just had my first longish run today on my first Pedelec bike, a Synergy Mistral, with those specs. It was actually quite thrilling in a funny way. I am 68 and have two other non powered bikes. Today's trip was just under twenty miles round trip with a following wind outward which was about 12 mph against me on the way home, plus two 14% hills also against me. 250 watts seems puny, but the controller is very efficient at adjusting to your needs. Remember that the Pedelec system assists your pedaling input. I managed an average speed of 9 mph over the return 10 miles, and was as puffed as a thirty year old. And I had full panniers weighing in at 24 kilos. Usually I managed 4 mph having to stop several times on the hills to avoid heart attack, or something.. I forgot to mention that I have arthritis in both knees,and weigh 19 stone. I have found cycling is an excellent form of exercise for this. I had to make the choice between converting one of my bikes using a kit, or buying a ready made Electric Bike. I chose the latter. The complete bicycle costs very little more than a kit and will be more reliable. Shop around on the internet. There are lots of bargains to be had, and careful searching will reward you.
I hope this helps,
Best Wishes,
Tom
Paisley

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