Electric bike do i need a drivers license?

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Q. I just recently bought an electric bicycle and i live in toronto, do i need a license to use it??
yeah i heard that since its electric and doesnt have a motor, that it doesnt count as a car - its considered a bike or something

Answer
No, and if you drink and drive, please don't hit any old ladies.

How can I make a relatively cheap motorized bicycle with either electric or gas motor?

Krazy Karl

I'm looking far into the future for a summer project and am thinking of trying to put together a motorized bicycle from home parts. I've been searching the net trying to find some guidance, just so I don't kill myself, but I'm having difficulties. I'm searching for ANY help, plans, possible parts, past experience, anything. Thanks!

Karl

Answer
Motorizing isn't the problem. The problem is that there isn't a bicycle out there that is safe at a speed faster than what you can pedal and mostly because of the poor quality of the brakes with which they're equipped. When I was stationed in 'Nam they had some hybrid bicycles which you started off pedaling and then pulled a lever which dropped a small motor down so the small wheel on the motors output shaft contacted the front wheel of the bike and turned it. Even though it had a better braking system than a standard bike I saw a lot of young ladies (which was mostly what rode them) taking some real nasty spills when they couldn't stop in time at intersections.
Also a buddy of mine, back in the early 50's had a motor bike which was built by the Schwinn Corp. It used a belt drive on the rear and had decent brakes, similar to a motor cycles.

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Is it possible to put a motor on an ordinary bicycle?

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Q. I have an ordinary 12-speed bicycle. Do they make electric motors for these kind of bikes? It looks like gas prices will be out of control this coming year, like 2008 all over again, and I would like to drive my car as little as possible. I like bike riding, but if I have to go a long distance quickly, I would like to have a motor as well. What would one of these cost, if they are available? How fast can they go?

Answer
Bicycles with electric motors are no faster than good lightweight bikes that run on pedal power alone, and they have limited range between charges. For the price of a good electric conversion kit, you could buy a bicycle that would have better performance. Remember, the more you ride, the stronger your legs will be, mechanical aids wear out, and battery packs have to be replaced.

How does an electric bicycle work?

Kavi Dessa

When my dad first mentioned them to me, I though that they would work just about the same as an electric scooter. But when I actually looked it up, I saw that they still had pedals and looked almost exactly the same as any other bike. So where does the electric part come in if you're still pedaling? How does it work?

Thank you kindly.
:)

Answer
The motor is connected either thru the chain drive or is a part of the wheel (hub motor).

some models are throttle based where you push the throttle more, and more power goes to the motor (Power on Demand 'POD'), or, power can be initiated by a sensor that detects you are pedalling pretty hard, so it sends power to the motor to help out (pedelec).

On some models you must pedal, (pedalec) others you have your choice whether or not to pedal. Even moderate pedalling helps with the performance and range.

If an ebike follows the U.S. Federal law HR 727, it is legal where bikes are legal:

To be legal in most states, an e-bike must have less than 750 watts of power, pedals that really work, 2 or 3 wheels (not 4 wheels) and the motor should cut out at 20mph.

turn key ebikes can be purchased from Giant bicycle, Target online, and other places depending on your locale. there are many kit vendors; Cyclone is a chain drive, Bionx is a fancy high end hub motor, and Crystalyte is a value hub motor, along with other companies.

The motor enables people that have physical limitations to still ride and manage hills and headwinds. It also allows people to show up for work a lot less sweaty and allows an alternative to car transportation while still getting decent exercise. Prices for decent stuff starts at about $400, and goes up to almost $10K for an electric enclosed trike that can virtually replace a car. Properly chosen many better ebikes have a range of 25+ miles before having to recharge the batteries.

I am 60 years old and can bring home 40lbs of groceries on my ebike, and can use it to go most anyplace in my medium sized (500,000 population) town.

some newer ebikes are quite lightweight and bicycle like.

Ebikes increase health, decrease pollution, decrease auto traffic, save transportation dollars and consume no petroleum. REcharging takes about 4 hours and costs about 10 cents.

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