Electric Bikes

1. Electric Bikes virtually too . Electric Bikes Advantages of Electric Bikes include: • Regular aerobic exercise. • Controllable assistance that can help the unfit start cycling regularly. • Make it easer to travel further, regularly, and carry more. • Get extra help going up hills and cycling into headwinds. • Accelerating to cruising speed in a fraction of the time/ effort. • Cost a fraction of the price to buy and run compared to cars. • Extra power in awkward situations makes cycling safer. • More convenient that waiting for a bus. • Only 5-10 minutes slower than a car on a 6 mile journey in rush hour. • Extra wind chill and reduced effort reduce sweat. • Hub Gears are less messy and allow you to change gears while stationary. Mike Transition City Leeds Chapel Allerton

2. Example Power Assistance From An Electric Bike. Applied power 100% 0% 0 mph 9 mph 15 mph Speed Electric Bike FAQ I • How much does they cost? It depends on the model (£300 and £2,000). The Kalkhoff Pro Connect costs £1495 inc VAT & Delivery • How far can they go?It depends on the bike and battery ? The Kalkhoff Pro Connect provides assisted power for 26 to 50 Miles. • Thats Moortown to Stourton daily (approx 6 miles) . • How fast can it go?That depends on your fitness !A 40+ year old "unfit" man can travel. Approx 30 mph down Scott Hall Road hill.Approx 10-12 mph up Scott Hall Road hill.Approx 12-17 mph up On the flat. • What are the main advantages? • Regular aerobic exercise helps you live longer. • Controllable assistance that can help the “unfit” start cycling regularly. • Make it easer to travel further, regularly, and carry more. • Get extra help going up hills and cycling into headwinds. • Accelerating to cruising speed in a fraction of the time/ effort. • Cost a fraction of the price to buy and run compared to cars. • Extra power in awkward situations makes cycling safer. • More convenient that waiting for a bus. • Only 5-10 minutes slower than a car on a 6 mile journey in rush hour. • Extra wind chill and reduced effort reduce sweat. • Hub Gears are less messy than Derailleur gears and allow you to change gears while stationary. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.

3. Electric Bike FAQ II • Can anyone ride an electric bikes require? • No, you must be over the age of 14yrs. Do riders of electric bikes require an helmet? • Helmets are not compulsory but are advisable. • Riding a cycle in the UK is a low risk activity.Statistically speaking pedestrians, car drivers and their passengers are more likely to benefit from wearing a helmet. • However a helmet can prevent an avoidable head injury. • Wearing a helmet provides a good role model for children who are far more likely to benefit from the helmet. • Insurance companies have been known on several occasions to cite not wearing a helmet in order to reduce the scale of compensation. • Yakkay Helmets look like hats ! • Do electric bikes require an MOT? • Electric bikes do not require registration or an MOT.However if you are depending on your bike for daily transport it is advisable get into some sort of weekly, monthly and yearly maintenance routine. • Prevention is much cheaper and easier than fixing things on the road side. • Do I need insurance ? • Legally no. • You may be able to top up your house insurance - Check conditions. • Cheap cycle only insurance – Check small print ! • For some reason my wife did not like the idea of the bike chained up in the house, to a radiator / immovable object. • As an example e & l (www.eandl.co.uk) ~£150/year, • Fire, theft, accidental loss, Replacement hire, Emergency recovery • New for old 100% within 3 Years, Personal Accident,Public Liability • You will need a sold gold chain / lock ~ £80 • A sold gold floor anchor for your garage . ~£50 Can electric bikes go faster ?There are a number of legal restrictions for electric bikes. An electric bike can become more powerful, but then its legal status changes to “moped” which requires registration, tax, MOT etc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.

4. Electric Bike FAQ III • Where can I buy an electric bike from? • Check out the reviews first at www.atob.org.uk • I bought mine from www,50Cycles.com • They are electric cycle specialist • You can try before you buy? • They are the sole UK distributors of Kalkhoff bikes • They are based in Loughborough but deliver to Leeds !! • The Bike Shop (Leeds) Ltd (Cross Gates) • Stock a range of electric bikes. • Edinburgh . Bicycle Cooperative and other shops • Have information on one or more electric bikes • There are non in stock to try. • There is no scheme way to try before you buy. • Where can I try an electric bike from? • If you have no luck with your local bike shop. • You may be able to organise a test drive on someone's bike.Initially leave a message at TransitionChapelAllerton@hotmail.com • You will be asked to phone and leave your name, address, a land line & mobile, best time evening/ weekend. • Before you are let loose on someone’s pride a joy you will need: • Photo ID and proof of address (utility bill) kept during test drive • To demonstrate you can actually ride a normal bike. • Any more questions ? • Don’t be shy! – ask ! This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non,commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.