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

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
You will have to pedal extra hard to keep the bike going and to charge the battery. It could be done, but it would be easier and more efficient to pedal a regular (lighter) bike.

Maybe you could use a large solar panel to power the bike

a battery question? try to build a electric bike.?

GusB

ok i found a 36v 350 watt scooter motor which i intend to mount on the bike. my question is what sort of battery should look for and for those batteries that you chose, how long would they last. and you tell how did you get the answer on how long do they last.

Answer
You will need a 36v battery pack. In order to calculate how long a battery will last you will need to know the ampere-hours (Ah) of the 36v battery pack and how many amps the motor takes to run. To get the amps of the motor, divide the wattage by the voltage. Hence, your motor takes 350/36 amps=9.7A., To work out how long you can then run the motor, divide the Ah of the battery pack by the motor current to give you a run time in hours. e.g.a 10Ah battery pack would last 10/9.7 hours=1.03hours or 1hour 2mins.

However, the real run time could vary dramatically from the above, which is a theoretical maximum. I'd factor it in at 70% less if I was wanting top know or alternatively get a battery pack 50% more than the above calculation. If you use a good controller rather than just on-off you will get increased time proportional to how much less current you are using and how efficient the controller is. Plus, the rating of the motor could be out either way. You will also have to factor in how efficiently you can connect it to the bike wheel. Any chain, belt or friction drive will introduce losses. Bike motors are often made part of the bike wheel hub to cut down on these losses.

Finally, the range of your bike and run time can vary with the type of battery, which might not hold it's voltage well or may dip under certain conditions of e.g. cold temperature, high load.

Have a look on www.instructables.com for lots of hints and tips.

Have fun and feel free to contact me if you want any more help with the maths of this..

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is it posible to easily make a regular mountain bike into an electric bike?

Liz G

if so, even if it's costly, how is it done? thanks

Answer
You can buy kits but by the time you pay for those it's working out just as expensive as buying a purpose built electric bike. Unless you have a passion for constructing bikes and some knowledge of electrics I would think buying a new bike would be the preferable option. Also if you live in the UK and want to stay 100% legal you have to fit the bike with a restrictor as anything that can go over 15 mph is classed as a motorised vehicle and liable to road tax etc. If you're not interested in the legalities then you can buy a rear wheel with a motor in the hub and a battery then you just have to wire it up to some form of switch mechanism. I have my electric bike wired up with an electric light switch that bypasses the restrictor which isn't ideal but it's quite effective.

Any Electric Mountain Bikes under $400?

Ryan

Something not 300 pounds or ugly and bulky, but with good speed and light weight. Remember, under $400. Thanks.
or under $500.

Answer
"or under $500?"

NO Capital N. Capital O. NO. A true quality electric assist bicycle from Trek costs OVER $2,000.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/collections/electric_assist/t80_plus_gl/#
And it's not a mountain bike.

For the price of just ONE electric assist bike, you could buy THREE of these...
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/fitness/fx/7_2_fx/#
Get off your lazy, fat @ss & ride a real bicycle.

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Any Electric Mountain Bikes under $400?

Ryan

Something not 300 pounds or ugly and bulky, but with good speed and light weight. Remember, under $400. Thanks.
or under $500.

Answer
"or under $500?"

NO Capital N. Capital O. NO. A true quality electric assist bicycle from Trek costs OVER $2,000.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/collections/electric_assist/t80_plus_gl/#
And it's not a mountain bike.

For the price of just ONE electric assist bike, you could buy THREE of these...
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/fitness/fx/7_2_fx/#
Get off your lazy, fat @ss & ride a real bicycle.

electric bike recommendation?

bugbeacon2

I am looking for an electric bike for exercise for under $500. I want electric because my area is very hilly and I want to get exercise but I'm just not in shape enough to make it up the hills without some help. Ideas for the best in my price range?

Answer
Forget the electric bike they are hard to pedal and using the motor wont give you any exercise. If you want exercise get a used stationary bike off of Craig's list or better yet go to the local bike shop and get a good hybrid bike. It will take time to be able to climb hills, if you have to get off and walk.

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I want to buy an electric scooter that requires no license?

Q. I want to buy an electric scooter which can also handle if possible a mini moto engine but i can't find theme anywhere.i have searched on google battery scooters and electric scooters but still i only found reviews and i need to buy one to import it in europe and many websites i visited said that they are not available.Can you halp me find something please? p.s https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_qmtKhofQLD9kifC1Riiip18IOuuZOpb-unDzlZ9H21vAPABVwpILoWDvyqfxdz4oEI52YFbNZ_1KhyphenhyphenFNDxB7POfdNVO0kEPet9AAnnkH1tLQyBeTwchwIDdJnejrIDgewd7xI045fD2/s1600/scooter+2.jpg IT'S SOMETHING LIKE THIS THAT I WANT

Answer
You have the best idea. Because there is no any kind of air pollution or sound pollution while using the electronic bikes, electronic motors. You can buy it from the bike showrooms. These kind of stuffs are rarely found in the present world. Best of luck.

Has anyone ridden the E-Zip Comfort Electric Bicycle?

Q. I am looking for anyone who has ridden this bike and can comment on it's ability to climb hills, the difficulty of pedaling with the extra payload, etc.

I saw it while shopping for a new bike for moving around a busy college campus with lots of hills;

http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_constraint=0&search_query=e-zip&Continue.x=0&Continue.y=0&Continue=Find&ic=24_0

Answer
I recently bought the other bike on that page - the E-Zip Mountain Trailz bike. The two are almost identical. I wrote a pretty thorough review of it here on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/E%252dZip-Mountain-Trailz-Electric-Bicycle/dp/B000MSDKOI/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-0603160-1961532?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1188436525&sr=8-1

Basically it makes going up hills much easier, as long as you're not going too far (because that will drain the battery pretty quickly). It's pretty hard to pedal with a dead battery because of the extra weight. Read my review for further details.

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foldable & chainless bicycles?

Zoraya V

I'm having trouble locating decent looking foldable and chainless bicycles (looking for both features on the same bike).

(FYI: I'm aware of the Dynamic Sidekick bike already)

Thanks for your help!

Answer
Here is a couple

beixo
http://www.beixo.com/eng/

Sussex (folder third and fourth down)
http://www.sussex.com.tw/se5.htm

This one is electric also

http://xueming.en.alibaba.com/product/50035266/50160854/Folding_Electric_Bicycles_and_Electric_Scooters/ChainLess_Drive_Folding_Electric_Bicycle_in_Yellow_Color/showimg.html

Jacknife hydraulic drive (fourth)
http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/397/

What is the best electricscooter or bike? ?

I need one that is foldable, seated, goes above 20 mph, has a key start and maybe a throttle.

it doesn't have to be exactly like this but as close as possible.

Answer
The best bicycle is one that you pedal. Electric bicycles have a short charge period. The charge always seems to run out in the wrong place at the wrong time.

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What is the best economically priced electric bike for hills ?

Fred E

Under $800

Answer
The better the battery the better the performance of an electric bike. Lead acid batteries are the mainstay to electric bikes in the lower echelon. Lead acid batteries tend to be heavy, bulky and good for relatively short bursts of power then they die. Nimh batteries can better sustain a drag on its power, it tends to be lighter, less cumbersome to manage and the service life of the charge out lasts lead acid batteries by a long shot. Then their are the lithium ion batteries. For the moment they are proven and the best of the best. Most laptop computers use lithium ion batteries. These batteries are better tied to higher performance, lower discharge rates, higher charging capacities, thus higher discharging capacities, not as bulky relatively slim and a reliably stronger pedaling assist as compared to its peers.

The price point for the electric bikes in the US is directly related to the type of battery. Electric bikes from Currie that can be purchased at a big box store can be purchase below the $800 price point with a lead acid battery. Giant and Trek both use lithium ion batteries. Their bikes are priced from $1800 to 2,600 USD. The long view would be how lucky are you to purchase a less expensive bike for $800 and you will get a trouble free 5 year service life. If you have to keep putting money into this great idea we know as an electric bike to keep it on the road, then the return on investment will be delayed or may never come. If you purchase two bikes at the $800 price point and allow for inflation of 5% or greater due to increased consumer demand and the product cycle of improvements; the cost of the two bikes within a 3-5 year period equals the original cost of a Giant or Trek sample from jump.

Best.

electric bike recommendation?

bugbeacon2

I am looking for an electric bike for exercise for under $500. I want electric because my area is very hilly and I want to get exercise but I'm just not in shape enough to make it up the hills without some help. Ideas for the best in my price range?

Answer
Forget the electric bike they are hard to pedal and using the motor wont give you any exercise. If you want exercise get a used stationary bike off of Craig's list or better yet go to the local bike shop and get a good hybrid bike. It will take time to be able to climb hills, if you have to get off and walk.

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I like to know what is your thought on the Prodeco electric bicycle?

Q. I recently have an interest in mountain bike. I want to get a bike to commute to work on the weekday and use it for mountain biking on the weekend. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

http://www.prodecotech.com/

Answer
Not only are you comparing apples to oranges. You're comparing apples to oranges to bananas!

A "commuter bike" will have no suspension parts. Suspension parts are needed only on off-road trails.

A mountain bike would make for a terrible commuter bike. The suspension parts weigh the bike down & absorb or zap part of your energy with every stroke of the pedals. Nice off-road. Terrible on the streets. The knobby tires also slow you down.

Electric bikes or electric assist bicycles are B-A-D for any situation. #1) The high initial cost. #2) The high replacement cost of a battery. #3) Makes you fat & lazy. #4) What if the charge in the battery runs low or out in the wrong place at the wrong time. Then YOU get stuck pedaling a VERY heavy bicycle home.

Buy a real bicycle from a real bicycle shop. Get fit & stay fit. R.E.I. sells a nice "commuter bike" on their outlet website. Link below. See 2nd link too - How to Choose a Bicycle

What is the BEST Commuter Bicycle?

Q. A few weeks back I posted a question pertaining to Scooters (gas-powered) and found them in essence to be more trouble than they are worth especially so in terms of their legality from state to state so I decided to look into alternative transportation. I am now seriously considering human-powered (pedal or other) as well as electric bicycles as a less aggravating alternative to solve my transportation needs, Would someone please recommend some excellent human-powered as well as some excellent electric bikes (powerful but inconspicuous to authorities in regards to electric bikes.) Also would someone please tell me (from their own experience) how they feel about "Trikkes" I need something for commuting a short distance (two miles) to work but I'd also like the option to commute a little further comfortably if I need to, Thanks for your Input!

Answer
Look for a commuter bike or a hybrid from the local bike shop. For a trip of only two miles an electric bike is not needed. For much less then am electric bike you can get a shop quality bikes that will last 10 times longer. Stay away from Walmart and other department store bikes. A 2 mile trip on a bike should take you less then 10 min on a hybrid. You can also ride them on smooth dirt bike paths like rail trails.

Check out Trek, Specialized, Fuji, Giant, Raleigh, Cannondale, Jamis, Breezer, Schwinn, and a few others.

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Help, need new battery for ny e- bike.?

Q. I bought an e-bike from someone that has a dead 36 volt battery. ( the price was right). Where can I find another, or even two of them?

Answer
Click on the third link below. It is a Google Search on "e-bike battery" There are a bunch of folks selling them. The first two links are a couple of the top pages that came up. You will want to replace your battery with one of the same voltage and with the capacity called Amp-hours or Ah that is the same or perhaps a bit bigger. It is not absolutely required that you use the same type of battery but it would be best if they are the same type. The charger us usually optimized for a particular type of battery. By type I mean Lead-acid, Nicad, Nickel-metal-hydride, or Lithium. Your batter should indicate what its capacity is and what type it is.

need to find a battery for electric bike conversion kit.?

Blah Blah

this is what i bought:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221046610777?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

it doesn't come with a battery. But what i found is way overpriced. Someone help me find a compatible battery. Thanks.

Answer
Batteries for electric bikes are expensive and you have to buy one that will fit the connecters that go to the controller and the motor. In any case a cheap battery will end up costing more in the long run. IT won't hold as much energy, you won't be able to go as far, it won't last long, and it could even damage the rest of the system

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What do you think of Electric bicycles?

Eartha Q

are they worth the price?
bikernoj ,
Gosh ! Maybe I have a reason for asking besides being fat and lazy???
Me too M R ! It's a simple question for goodness sake.
Dear Lime ..did it ever occur to you that I might have my reasons for asking!! Is that OK with you???
Thanks Bob Lahblah ..I was trying to get some informed information..but it seems the bike enthusiasts are not very nice people.

Answer
Legal Low Powered Electric Assist bikes are now becoming a great alternative for tens of thousands of commuters in the US. Use an ebike for commuting and save the price of the ebike in insurance savings and service costs, And still get a workout- no more time on that dreaded treadmill at the spa.

Some young fit folks may never need one, but, if you are one of the folks that really does not want to take their car EVERYWHERE, especially to just get a loaf of bread, Ebikes may be the thing for you.

They all have on/off switches and a way to control the level of assist. People might use maximum assist going to work, but minimum assist going home for a workout. If you have asthma or arthritis, an ebike makes the bicycling world yours again- on good days- minimum assist, on bad days - you still don't have to get in the car- just use more assist.

Fifty percent of households own bicyles but less than 5% of them use them regularly. Over 50% of households with ebikes use them on a regular basis.

Some people use their $2,000 racing bike as a roof ornament and a badge of being a yuppie. Other people take ebikes every where, saving lots of money, helping the environment, and stayiing quite fit. YOU DO HAVE TO PEDAL, other wise your range is really shortened.

Right now you can get an ebike that will go 30 miles, (with your pedal assist) make it up most any hill in most cities, feels like a normal bike, can bring home 40 lbs of groceries and has no more service issues than a normal bicycle -for about $1500. And have local service in MANY US cities.

There are today some really great ebikes, much better than 3 years ago. The Bionx, www.bionx.ca , has the most bicycle like feel, and great range. Cyclone, www.cyclone-usa.com , has the most power.
Crystalyte system kits have pretty good value
http://www.poweridestore.com .

In most US states, Ebikes are legally limited to 20mph under electric power, must have pedals that work, less than 750 watts of power, and 2 or 3 wheels (not 4), and are legal where other bikes are legal. Check your state though.

For reasons of test riding and long term support, it is highly suggested that you buy your first one from a local dealer, unless you like to work on such things your self.

The average ebike rider puts on more miles than the average regular bike rider. Why? Ebikes are more fun, less hassle, and there are just less excuses to take the car.

Many ebikes are also light enough to be put on many city busses and trains- helping with "multi-mode" commuting.

(But be careful, there is some junk out there)

What is the best kind of bicycle? The one you will ride.

Try the following yahoo discussion group for indepth information on specific ebikes:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/power-assist/

There are great ebike dealers in Texas, Colorado, Seattle, Georgia, New York, California, Kansas, Illinois, Utah, Nevada; the list goes on and on.

What is your take on the electric assist bikes?

mark_hensl

Giant and Trek are on my radar and I plan to purchase one of the two within the next 6 months. I want to lessen my dependence on my car and stay out of the doctors office. I am looking at two riding options for different purposes. The previous question refers to the low end Raliegh and Trek series bikes. The upper end ride assist is attractive when you are not fat, but a former college athlete and the wear and tear creeps up on you certain days. lol.

Thanks.
Old Hippie,

Lithium Ion batteries power the very laptop you are typing on. They last for 4-5 years based on charge cycles. I will get a regular bike, and not replace the exercise, I have lets say a fondness for bio-mechanics. I certainly respect your knowledge and your view as a purist. You will find, in Europe, and Asia their are high numbers of electrically assisted bikes, even high performance bikes. The US, dumbs down the electrical system to peak at 20 mph, not the case elsewhere. They are "runnin" 30-70 mph electrically assisted bikes out of the box, in some cases added to the existing bike a German company is the lead on this, Pro...tech, I can't pull it, a Canadian company by the name of Bionix, Panasonic and others are much further downstream than given credit. I can't say I am a believer, but I see an alternative solution on the way. Mark my words.

Answer
Mark

I used a similar idea when I retired. I use a bike daily for exercise and a motor scooter for running errands.

I do not like the electric assist bikes. Especially, for healthy riders. Make the effort if you want the health! I see a lot of kids and seemingly healthy adults using them. I can see a time when bike lanes in popular riding areas are clogged, and made unsafe, by these vehicles.

When I retired I bought a Vespa type scooter as my 'green machine' just to run errands instead of using the car. It carries a large bag of groceries in a basket in the rear, and gets well over 75 mpg.

Soccerref

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Electric bike??? does an electric bike or motor cycle require license to drive on?

Q.

Answer
It depends on two basic things. One, where you live. The rules are different around the world. Two, what size bike or motorcycle it is. A bicycle with an electric motor is still a bicycle in my state. Electric motorcycles are available that go about 80 or 90 miles per hour. Those are classified as, and require the same licensing as gas motorcycles.

What are disadvantages and advantages for electric cars, & solar energy cars?

mskee0409

Answer
first why do you need sound the world is too noisy anyways. when I'm riding my bike I check the mirror every 20 seconds so why can't everyone else. second probably 75% of the population drives less than 50 miles a day in their commute so an all electric is perfect for them. A pulse charger can charge a lithium ion battery in 20 minutes, and there not that expensive if you know where to look. I bought a container of 200 LI's 300AH 24v from Hihon corp in china a few months back for 10k including shipping about $50 a piece. I finished converting a 85 dodge Omni for the wife. I just started an 86 Fiero for me, next will be something for my son, daughter, and son-in-law, and I'll still have enough to do another 20 cars plus replacement batteries. and as already stated solar is fine for a house supplemental system, I have 10kw on the south roof of my house as well as 4 vertical axis wind turbines on my garage roof. but neither will work on a car. Electrics are small and light, they can't be large trucks but bio diesel is renewable and relatively clean especially if they make up a small percentage of the vehicles on the road.
I'm keeping my gas and diesel cars and trucks I just won't drive them around town when an electric will do.

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how to build a electric bike using my old MTB mountain bike ?

Q. loading: 100 kgs, speed: 70kph, and want to climbing. please tell me any ideas, thanks!

Answer
hi, i recommend buy a electric bike conversion kits to convert it . But please note some notes,
1. Does the motor fit for your bike ? I mean that you need to measure your bike drop out , and confirm it with the seller .
2. Confirm the right wheel size with your seller . You can confirm your bike wheel size according to your bike tires , such 26 x .... , 700c x ... It means your bike is 26inch, or your bike wheel is 700c .
3. The speed 70kph is very fast, so you need to make sure that your bike frame is good enough .
I recommend that the 1500w hub motor for your bike . Its speed is about 70kph with 26inch wheel, and the controller max current is about 40 amp .

Electric Scooter or a Mountain Bike?

Q. I'm a soon-to-be community college attendee, and I can't decide whether to get a bike or electric scooter for basic transit in the hillish areas of Reno. I loved my bike back home, but it was pretty much destroyed by a reckless friend of mine after I let him borrow it (he's making a speedy recovery). I don't have near enough for a car yet, and my license is invalid since I just moved. I just need something reliable and good for short-medium range transit around town.

Answer
Why is your driver's license invalid? Anyway, you need a driver's license for a motor scooter. And anyway, a mountain bike isn't the best commuter bike, a road bike is. If you're going to be riding gravel trails as well consider a cyclocross bike. If you primarily mountain bike on rocky singletrack a mountain bike can still be a commuter but you'll never be as efficient on roads as you would on a road bike. Of course the bicycle, whichever kind you decide you need, is the most efficient and cheapest form of transportation.

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what i should get for christmas?

Q. i already have over 1000 movies to watch.....i have a flat screen,shoes,computer,4wheeler,bike,im not realli gurllyy..(i dont like purses or make-up)...and im 13....soo..on my christmas list so far i got phone,skates,and boots..any ideasss??!!!! hurry

Answer
1. A Visa credit card with a limited amount of money on it. They can be used at any store.
2. Food items such as a large basket of fruit. You can find these at grocery stores when it gets close to Christmas.
3. Christmas Flowers.
4. Christmas box of foods such as summer sausages, cheeses, and etc.
5. Large box of good brand chocolates.
6. Wine.
7. DVD movies.
8. Netflix
9. Something for the house or bedroom.
10.Box of frozen rib eye steaks from a mail order steak house. They come in dry ice. Take out the dry ice and put steaks in their box into a freezer.
11.Crock Pot.
12.Kitchen electric grill such as the George Foreman type...but there are many more brands to choose from if you wish.
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FUN GADGETS for boyfriends, brothers, dads:

1. Dynaflex Powerball.
2. Golf GPS.
3. Finger drums(let their fingers do the drums).
4. USB missile launcher.
5. Snowball maker.
6. Magic wand remote.
7. Tablet computer floor stand.
8. USB desktop fan.
9. Swiss army knife USB.
10.Tape-to-MP3 converter.
11.Laser projection keyboard.
12.Electric scooter.
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For Girls:

1. Video games for girls
2. Sims 3 video game.
3. Game console like a wii and a couple of games.
4. A Visa credit card with a limited amount of money on it. They can be used at any store.
5. Electric scooter.
6. Terry cloth bath robe with matching bath slippers.
7. Matching nail polish and lip stick.
8. Kitchen appliances for learning to cook.
9. Chairs for girls and teen ager girls; click this link, hope it shows:
http://www.pbteen.com/shop/furniture/lounge-seating/?bnrid=3730901&cm_ven=Dotomi&cm_cat=Remarketing&cm_pla=Click&cm_ite=All
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Crafts:

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/christmas/

http://blog.makezine.com/craftzine/

http://www.diynetwork.com/topics/crafting/index.html

Seniors - What generation do we deem responsible for making the green thing necessary?

Q. I showed this to my oldest daughter (53) and my youngest daughter(45). Each wanted a copy to show their children. The oldest could completely identify with it. The youngest could remember some of how we once lived life.

âTHE GREEN THINGâ
Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman, that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags werenât good for the environment.

The woman apologized and explained, âWe didnât have this green thing back in my earlier days.â

The clerk responded, âThatâs our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations.

She was right â our generation didnât have the green thing in our day.

Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled. But we didnât have the green thing back in our day.

We walked up stairs, because we didnât have an escalator in every store or elevator in every office building. We walked to the grocery store and didnât climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks away. But she was right. We didnât have the green thing back in our day.

Back then, we washed the babyâs diapers because we didnât have the throw away kind. We dried clothes on a clothes line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 22 volts â wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. But that young lady is right: we didnât have the green thing back in our day.

Back then, we had one TV, or just a radio in the house â not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief. Remember them? Not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didnât have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers we saved, to cushion it, no Styrofoam or bubble wrap back then. We didnât fire up an engine and burn gasoline, just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human/manpower. We exercised by working so we didnât need to go to a health
club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But sheâs right: we didnât have the green thing back then.

We drank from a water fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a throw away cup or plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But we didnât have the green thing back then.

Back then people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24 hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didnât need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isnât it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didnât have the green thing back then.
Justin - Thanks for answering. Maybe I should have asked, for thoughts on - what all created it?
ROXY - I didnât post this for a reason to - blame.
I posted it so it could be shared.

My children want to share it with their children and hope to wake them up to the reality of the problem. Sometimes knowing is believing. Iâm still doing my share of conserving and hope everyone will do so.

Answer
You are totally correct, DeeJay.

I am not sure when it started exactly, but the people who
push it, seem to think that it is all their idea and that no
other generation re-used materials.
Apart from milk bottles here in the UK, there is very little
that we do send back to source for re-use today.
Things like Tetra-Pak who gave the world the waxy coated
box/package for liquids thought that they would be doing
the world a favour by saving on glass, but they have simply
added to landfill or incineration plants.
At least glass could be recycled to make more glass containers.
It is a crazy world.!

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Solar Panel wattage for my Electric Bike?

Q. Solar Panel wattage for my Electric Bike?
I am looking to purchase an Electric Bike for transport to work. I work on an Organic farm and need to save some energy up those hills.

I need help figuring out what size solar panels would be needed to charge the battery, and whether its plausible.

I'm looking at Ebay in Australia as I am immigrating down there. I prefer to afford the foldable/portable solar panel system: 80 watt, 120 watt, 160 watt, but IF necessary a bit more.

300w 3 PHASE 36v ELECTRIC REAR WHEEL
THREE 12v 17ah SLA BATTERIES (Total 36v)

or

Motor: 250 Watt brush-less DC hub
Batteries: 24V/10Ah pack, valve regulated

can anyone out there help explain to me how to figure this out?

thanks :)

Answer
http://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/2009/07/22/solar-power-that-works/

google " northern tool " i am sure they sell world wide.

they have solar kits ,

they sell are a decades old industrial supply company that sell all things at cheap prices.

Electric bike??? does an electric bike or motor cycle require license to drive on?

Q.

Answer
It depends on two basic things. One, where you live. The rules are different around the world. Two, what size bike or motorcycle it is. A bicycle with an electric motor is still a bicycle in my state. Electric motorcycles are available that go about 80 or 90 miles per hour. Those are classified as, and require the same licensing as gas motorcycles.

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Help me shop for an electric bike/scooter!?

effexorz

I'm really on the fence about exactly what I want. I live in Berkeley, California, and I really don't know what I want, except that it should go at LEAST 18-20mph, and have at LEAST a 10 mile range per charge. Pedalling combo might be good too, but I'm not sure. Give me as much concise information as you can.

Answer
It depends how much you're willing to spend. I owned one (in fact I'm currently trying to sell it) that had a range of about 13 miles and top speed of 20 mph that initially cost about $1300.
http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/imoto2-verde-moto

Now I own one which has a range of 30 miles and top speed of 50 mph which cost $3600.
http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/rmartin-evd-moto

I also owned an electric bike which would have worked well in Berkeley (that's where I went to college, btw) and only cost $350.
http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/e-zip-mountan-trailz-elec-bike

The link below has user reviews of electric bikes/mopeds and should be of service.

Whats the Best Dirt bike out there? Easy 10 PTS!?

Q. I do not care how much the price is, it has to be a dirt bike/ or duel. Please tell me the brand,Price,CC, year, and MPH

Answer
KTM 530EXC, full up racing bike that comes street legal. price varies depending on location but around $8,000-8,500, 510cc, 6 gear wide ratio transmission, electric start. ~12 inches front & 13 inches rear travel, right at 251 lbs, top speed with stock gearing slightly over 100 mph...

I have personally owned over 50 off-road motorcycles dating back into the 60s, raced MX, harescrambles, enduro, cross country, etc. and my competitive race bike of choice that I currently own is the KTM 520 & 525 EXC from a few years back... very hard to beat for the majority of off road riding to be done... not set up for MX/SX with the wide ratio tranny & softer suspension necessarily but as I get older, I do that type of riding less and less. if I did MX more, I might opt for one of the newer fuel injected CRF450 or KX450F over the KTM EXC...

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