E-bikes : Faster , Higher , Further
Jane Thrall | Article & Photos
A few years ago I moved to a condo that ’ s a dozen metres above sea level . I ’ m not exaggerating when I say that every bike ride begins with a long uphill climb before I start to enjoy the outing . I found that my basic cruiser-style bicycle wasn ’ t getting as much mileage as it should , and eventually I decided to sell it to someone who ’ d put it to better use . After a bit of research I bought my first electric bicycle and now no hills hold me back .
Sales of e-bikes , or what the Canadian government calls Power Assisted Bicycles , have skyrocketed over the past two years . Whether for daily commuting or weekend adventures , more people are opting for the versatility of powered cycling .
Provinces are entitled to regulate e-bikes , and eight provinces do . In Alberta , for example , operators must be 12 years of age or older , and a motorcycle helmet is required . In BC , the rider must be 16 years old , and a bicycle helmet is sufficient . Neither province requires a licence , registration , or insurance .
E-bikes must have handlebars and operable pedals , an electric motor of 500 watts or less , and a maximum speed capacity of thirty-two kilometres per hour on level ground .
After meeting those basic criteria , the diversity of options is staggering . Because people use their bikes differently , there ’ s something on the market for everyone . Retailers offer trikes for those who want more stability or plan to use the bike for hauling
cargo . Folding bikes are popular with campers and travellers .
Cruiser bikes are for people who want a comfortable ride on generally flatter terrain . They usually have midsize or fat tires and are ridden in a more upright position . You ’ ll see these bikes on the beach , trails , and both on- and off-road .
Commuter bikes are popular with those who want to bike to and from work or run errands . They will usually have narrower tires and less suspension than a cruiser .
Mountain bikes are designed with rugged trails in mind , often with wider tires and a slightly lower handlebar position . Shock absorption is an important component ; a good mountain bike should have optimum suspension . Some of that will come from the tires , saddle , and handlebars , but fork suspension is considered a mainstay for mountain biking .
E-bikes open up a lot more mountain biking trails for those who need some motorized support , but be cognizant of the rules where you bike . Some trails are restricted to regular unassisted bikes only .
Road bikes tend to put the rider in a lower position with drop bars for more speed and efficiency , and the tires are narrower . Because road bikes need to shave off weight in order to be efficient , they tend to be carbon fibre and more expensive than other styles . Range is important to road cyclists , but longer range batteries tend to be heavier .
Batteries are everything when it comes to e-bikes . They ’ re heavy , so when choosing your power source you ’ ll want to balance weight against distance . A smaller , lighter battery won ’ t get you as far but will make the bike more manageable and manoeuvrable . I chose a 48V , 17.5 Ah battery which should give me a seventy- to eighty-kilometre average range on a full charge .
Your battery will be about half the cost of your complete bike , so be sure the cells are sourced from a reliable manufacturer and put together by a reputable assembler .
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