E-Bikes Are Finding their Place

By Jim Bethel

I was happy to see that the NYS Legislature passed the fiscal year 2020-21 Budget which included the legalization of e-bikes across the state.

Although still a bit confusing, here are the basics – The budget language designated three classes of e-bikes: Class 1 is pedal-assisted with no throttle; Class 2 is throttle-assisted with a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour; and Class 3 is pedal-assisted with a maximum speed of 25 mph. E-scooters are capped at 15 mph, and riders under 18 years of age would be required to wear a helmet. Helmets are also required for riders of Class 3 e-bikes.

One source of possible confusion is that cities and municipalities were given the power to govern where and how e-bikes can be ridden within their jurisdictions. Another confusing disparity is that the industry recognizes a Class 3 motor as having a 28 mph maximum speed while the NY law recognizes it as 25 mph. Even with these limitations, the legislation is a start to begin a shift of our infrastructure to allow for less traffic congestion in our daily lives.

What types of e-bikes are out there? There are five main categories of e-bikes: Recreational Commuter, Urban Utility, Cargo, Road, and Mountain Bike. 

The first three tend to be on the heavier side due to the motor and battery configuration but most are well-balanced due to the placement of those components. These bikes feature large width tires, front suspension, lots of electronics, and most usually come equipped with lights, fenders and a rack. Typical mileage rates per charge are 35-100 miles depending on your riding habits and assist level chosen. 

With the lighter weight road and mountain bike types, less weight that comes with a tradeoff. Smaller motors and batteries which keep the mass down offer less power assist and shorter battery life. In some examples this may be 50% less depending on the wattage of the motor and output of the power pack.

How does the typical e-bike work? Well, it’s magic. Just kidding, it only feels like magic. Most pedal assist bikes use the motor combined with gearing in the rear to aid in the efficiency of the bike and to save battery power. The motor usually has four settings: Eco, Sport, Tour and Turbo. The gearing can be like a regular bike that has a cassette, chain and derailleur; a variable or automatic type gearing; or internal geared hub with or without electronic shifting, and using a Gates belt drive system instead of a chain. A throttle-assist bike utilizes a grip handle like a motorcycle or minibike to control the speed of the bike. The throttle-assist will cut out at 20 mph.

What are some of the things you can do with an e-Bike and essentially leave your car parked?

• Personal School Bus – Avoid the car exhaust-filled chaos in the school pickup or drop off line.

• Grocery Shopping – Hit up the grocery, drugstore or farmers market without parking worries.

• Trips to the Library – Check out all the Harry Potter books and have enough power to get home.

• Trips to the Post Office – Mail is a breeze when you can load all your packages in a basket.

• Recycling Center – Bonus points for using an e-Bike to handle your household recycling.

Where can you buy an e-bike? Most of the larger bike brands such as Bianchi, Specialized, Trek have some sort of e-bike line now. There are also many brands new to the USA that have been making e-bikes for over 10 years. These include Gazelle, Bulls, Riese & Muller, Benno, Extracycle, and Tern. All e-bikes use batteries and motors from Bosch, Brose, Panasonic, Pinion, and Shimano. 

The e-bikes are available at local bikes shops and online from direct to consumer stores and outlets. Specialty e-bike stores are out there as well. Some stores may have the bike you want in stock and you can take it right home, or they can get it within a few days from a distribution warehouse. Some specialty bikes are built to spec, require a deposit, and can take 10-12 weeks to come in depending on the country of manufacture. You will find prices to be in a range of $1,500 to over $15,000 depending on quality, availability, and configuration of the bike you’re looking for.

Where should you buy an e-bike? Finding a local retailer/small business owner is always your best bet. This is their livelihood and you will not only come out with more personalized service, but you’ll be helping your community too. A qualified retailer will have knowledge of the products they are selling, service accreditation from the bike manufacturer, and motor/battery manufacturer. Bosch, the leading manufacturer of batteries and motors has a dedicated team of specialists that hold training seminars each year for e-bike technicians. In addition, a business owner may provide services such as delivery to your home or pickup and delivery when your bike requires service. They may also offer one-on-one sales appointments where they accompany you on a test ride.

Research and test ride. The best bet is to do research and really access your needs and how you plan to use your e-bike. Do you want to haul groceries, maybe start a delivery service, or do you just want to ride with your buddies but not get dropped on the hills? These are all valid reasons for considering an e-bike and there is a bike for every one of those purposes and more.

You will want to test ride several bikes in order to find one you are comfortable with and that will meet your needs. This process could take a few sessions, so it’s best to make an appointment, allow plenty of time, and take your time. Finally, write down the models you ride, along with what you liked or didn’t like about them, since it could be tough to remember all those things over a period of a few weeks.

Jim Bethell (jim@missionelectricbike.com) is an avid cyclist who has been riding in the Capital Region for many years. He runs Mission Electric Bikes in Ballston Spa, and is also director of operations for the relaunched Serotta Cycling.