Happy Holidays

NY eBike Fire Problem

New York City Bill to Ban Reuse of Lithium Ion Batteries Is ‘Absolutely Crazy,’ Right-to-Repair Advocates Warn

In an attempt to do something about the horrific increase in battery fires from two-wheeled electric devices this year, the New York City Council has proposed a slate of legislation that would have the unintended consequence of hamstringing the right-to-repair industry for electronic devices, experts and advocates warn. 

https://www.vice.com/en/article/dy7eka/new-york-city-bill-to-ban-reuse-of-lithium-ion-batteries-is-absolutely-crazy-right-to-repair-advocates-warn 

eBike Batteries Wanted

With millions of electric bikes on the road, helping Americans replace car trips and reduce their personal carbon footprint, there are also millions of lithium ion batteries that will need to be disposed of properly.

Call2Recycle is here to simplify that process. The bike industry came together as the first transportation industry to establish a battery recycling solution and reduce negative impacts on the climate and our planet.

Help us make biking the most sustainable activity and transportation option by recycling your electric bicycle battery today.

https://ebikebatteryrecycling.peopleforbikes.org/

Li-Ion Battery Fire Prevention

Are you scared of increasing lithium-ion battery fire and explosion incidents? Well, you should be, as social media is flooded with the alarming news of battery explosions. For example, a laptop lithium-ion battery caught fire and injured a person, a smartphone battery exploded inside a student’s pocket, a vape pen explosion, and a lot more.

According to US research, almost 195 lithium-ion battery fire incidents occurred from 2009 to 2017. Undoubtedly, no one can deny the worth of lithium-ion batteries in electric devices, vehicles, and smartphones. However, there are some challenges that users still need to tackle carefully.

This article will hopefully help you in understanding the causes of lithium-ion battery fires.

Lithium-ion Battery Fire: Why It Happens & How to Prevent It?

https://etekware.com/lithium-ion-battery-fire/  

Fire Risk

'Fire! Fire! Fire!’ The Perplexing, Deadly Electric Bike Problem. 

Malfunctioning lithium-ion batteries in the increasingly popular form of transportation have been linked to numerous explosions, blazes, and deaths—and little is being done to reduce the danger.

https://www.consumerreports.org/health/electric-bikes/electric-bike-fires-and-lithium-ion-batteries-a4632489902/

When the lithium-ion batteries used in the bikes are poorly made, overused, or charged too long, though, they can cause fires. “It’s very violent, very fast, it’s hard to extinguish,” says Daniel E. Flynn, chief fire marshal at the Bureau of Fire Investigation in New York City’s fire department. “In the battery pack, when they do fail, they can shoot these cells as far as 60 feet, so multiple fires can be related to the battery failing,” he says

Bird eBike for Sale

Available for $1000 

Bird’s new electric bike combines the best features of commuter bikes, mountain bikes, and electric-powered bikes to create the ultimate ride. Built by the same team of vehicle designers and engineers who introduced shared electric scooters to the world, it's perfect for your everyday commute, leisurely riding, and everything in between. Thanks to its manual throttle for a fast recharge, an integrated backlit handlebar display, and a powerful 500w motor, you'll always get an effortless e-boost.

Storing eBike Battery

Several eBike owners were curious about how to store their eBike with winter approaching. The issue was how to handle the Li-Ion batteries. I have searched throughout the Internet and found no certain recommendation. The most informative came from https://www.dnkpower.com/lithium-ion-battery-storage/ Complete Guide for Lithium ion Battery Storage.

Short-term storage: Store the battery in a dry place with no corrosive gases and a wet temperature between -20℃-35℃, higher or lower temperature will cause the metal parts of the battery to rust or the battery to leak.

A new realm of e-bike adventures.

Trek hasn’t just changed our cycling vacation. They’ve changed how riders of different abilities can discover the world together on two wheels. With Trek Verve+ e-bikes, they’re proud to offer the newest, most advanced way to ride longer, farther, and faster than ever before. And the best part? Upgrading to an electric bike is available at no additional cost. So from the California coast to the vineyards of Tuscany, join them for an electric bike vacation in some of the most beautiful destinations around the world.

https://trektravel.com/trip-collection/ebike-tours/  

As a typical FOGBEE pp price comparison, here was our 14-day H2O ($2,200) vs Trek 6-day ($6,000).

- Lodging: Shared rooms - $1000
- SAG Van - $200
- Food (BLD) - $700
- Misc (etc. beer, snacks) - $300

Turbo System firmware release

New features and system improvements for your Turbo await in the latest SPECIALIZED Turbo System firmware release. This update includes battery enhancements to improve health and longevity, giving you the most accurate and reliable charge indication and performance. Battery updates need to be applied by an authorized Specialized retailer. Please contact your retailer to schedule an appointment. Nov 16,2022

America Has An E-Bike Problem

America Has An E-Bike Problem That Can’t Be Solved With More E-Bikes 

The lack of appropriate infrastructure for electric mobility devices is making biking in cities worse.
by Aaron Gordon,September 2, 2022

https://www.vice.com/en/article/88q54x/america-has-an-e-bike-problem-that-cant-be-solved-with-more-e-bikes?utm_source=bikebits&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20221102_BikeBits

On Wednesday, The Atlantic published an article by Ian Bogost (a writer, game designer, and Director of Film and Media Studies at Washington University of St. Louis) about e-bikes. The gist of Bogost’s take is that he bought an e-bike, which is a bigger, heavier bicycle with a motor and battery, and feels weird about it. He says e-bikes have an “identity crisis” because they do not fit within any neatly defined buckets in American transportation and therefore don’t pass on any identity to their users.

The article was widely panned on Twitter, mostly by the usual pro-bike, pro-active streets, anti-car constituency. To be clear, I am a member of that constituency; I bike and walk and take public transportation everywhere (I do not tweet, though). However, I broadly agree with Bogost’s general point about e-bikes, but for entirely different reasons.

Carey's Newsletter

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission bill, BL2022-1449 was deferred until February 2023 after we had a discussion with Diana Alarcon, Director of NDOT. She believes that the Vision Zero task force, which has not yet been appointed, will fulfill the same purpose as a BPAC.

Councilman O’Connell the lead sponsor agreed to defer the bill after Ms. Alarcon promised to create a sub-committee to the VZ task force for biking and walking that would include members who are not on the task force.

I am skeptical (as you might guess) but we agreed to the proposal to give NDOT an opportunity to prove they’re serious.  The first marker is who they appoint to this Task Force. I know several particularly good people who have applied and should be appointed.

Until Pigs Fly

You'll Never Guess Who Bought an eBike

BCycle eBikes Removed from Parks

Walk Bike Nashville members are big fans of bike share and e-bikes (nearly 100 people told us about their love for e-bikes) and many rely on them to move through the city. Last week, the community was surprised to learn nine BCycle stations would be relocated at the request of Metro Parks, upsetting many users and drumming up questions about bike share access in Nashville. We want to know why Metro Parks has called for the removal of BCycles from our parks and greenways. 

https://www.walkbikenashville.org/why_bcycle_is_leaving_our_parks?locale=en

When to Change Battery

https://evelo.com/blogs/learn/how-do-i-know-it-s-time-to-change-my-ebike-s-battery

One of the most difficult aspects of making the transition to an electronic bike is the subject of battery-life. Many eBike owners wonder if their bike will experience a gradual decline in battery performance, or if the bike will just quit. 

There are telltale signs regarding the life left in the eBike battery, as well as ways to extend it!

How to Get the Most from an Ebike Battery

The biggest reason for premature battery failure is lack of use.

Periods of non-use that exceed 3 weeks can cause a battery to go into “hibernation”. To get out of battery hibernation you need to charge and then use the battery for a few cycles. During this time you’ll experience a lower range and a bit less power. The battery should return to full performance once you do this a few times.

If you look after it, you shouldn’t need to replace your battery for 4-6 years. Here is how to care for the e-bike battery to maximize its performance and reliability.

The ebike battery uses Lithium Ion chemistry in the form of 18650 cells which look like oversized AA batteries. (each cell is 18mm in diameter and 65mm long, hence the name.) Many of these cells are assembled into a battery to produce 36 or 48 volts and a specific capacity, depending on the bicycle it is made for. The overall shape and physical dimensions of the battery dictate how it is assembled and often also how much capacity it can hold.

https://evelo.com/blogs/learn/get-the-most-from-your-ebike-battery

The 8 Best Cheap Electric Bikes Under $1,800

Let’s face it: “Cheap” and “e-bike” aren't usually terms you hear in conjunction with one another. At least, on paper, attaching a motor to a bicycle seems like it'll cost an arm and a leg. But we've come a long way since the invention of the e-bike, and as their popularity has exploded, they've also become more accessible in price than ever. Believe it or not, you can now grab an electric bike at the same cost as a conventional one. Having access to a trusty e-bike means you can pedal—and sweat—less, conserving your energy as you ride. If you're looking for an e-bike to assist with your commute, or just something to casually ride on weekends, check out one of these Cheap Electric Bikes, Jul 23, 2022

https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/g40603419/best-cheap-electric-bikes-under-1800/

Best Temperatures for Electric Bike Battery

I have been asked about temperature for riding an ebike.  It is best to ask the experts. Also, I don't ride ANY bike when the temperature is over 100-deg F or below 35-deg F. According to the experts, I won't have any issues.

How Cold is Too Cold?

• Charging: Stay above 41°F (5°C) when charging, and definitely don’t charge below 32°F (0°C)
• Riding: Operate your bike above 14°F (-10°C) and if you are going to ride out in the cold, keep the battery inside before doing so
• Storage: Store your battery above 32°F (0°C), should never be stored below 14°F (–10°C)

How Hot is Too Hot?

• Charging: Stay below 113°F (45°C) when charging
• Riding: Operate your bike below battery temperatures of 140°F (60°C)
• Storage: Store your battery below 140°F (60°C)

H2O The Book - Plus eBikes

It took Aussie Bob two years to put together his last two-week bike excursion that he didn't get to do. He is now working on another for 2023. Keep watching.

However, in the meantime read his most recent trip on H2O the Book. https://bit.ly/H2OBook

Why Isn't This in My City?

How bike parking pods could make US cities better for cyclists

Cities won’t encourage more cycling if there’s nowhere to park your bike. This startup wants to change that.

https://www.technologyreview.com/2022/06/29/1054557/bike-parking-pods-cyclists/

Ross Sherman's eBike

TREK DUAL SPORT

A Selfish Absurdity

An electric bike rode into the backcountry.
Now there's a nationwide turf war.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/an-electric-bike-rode-into-the-backcountry-now-theres-a-nationwide-turf-war/ar-AAXSjlJ?li=BBnb7Kz

Discussion with Diana Alarcon

I had a good discussion with Diana Alarcon [Director of Nashville Department of Transportation] today about the dockless bike share included in the contract with Bird, Lime and Spin. She has asked for a moratorium on the rollout for bike share. We did not agree but she does not want to add to the “chaos” downtown. I suggested a compromise and she agreed to consider a partial roll out but not including downtown. We’ll see how that goes.

I’m writing because she mentioned she is still getting push back from Parks and the Greenways Foundation. She made it clear to Crownover [Amy P. Crownover, Executive Director] that greenways are part of the transportation system and not just “linear parks”. That must have been a hell of a conversation. Alarcon alluded to the political clout they have and she has heard from council members who are negative about e-bikes on greenways. I can guess who that is.

My point is we need to stay ready to keep fighting this battle. I cannot figure out what is wrong with those Greenways people. NDOT is going to move the BCycle docks out of parks onto ROW. They will still be used on the greenways so what’s the point. BCycle is now under a one year sole source contract with NDOT. She is clearly considering a new RFP for scooters and bike share. We’ll need to keep monitoring that situation.

Thanks for everyone in sticking with this issue and I wish it wasn’t necessary. Stay tuned for more developments in the near future.

Carey

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. 615-828-6551

Happy Bike Month!

A quick update, Bcycle stations are back open in Metro Parks! This is in large part thanks to the emails and advocacy of volunteers on this list.  An especially BIG thanks to Carey Rogers but thanks to everyone who came to a meeting, who wrote their Council Members, it really made a difference!

MORE GOOD NEWS! Bcycle has also launched a program to increase access to their bike share system. In partnership with Nashville Public Library, their new initiative Books & Bikes for All, allows NPL patrons to borrow a BCycle pass for up to a week of free, unlimited 2-hour rides. Additional information about the pass program is available online here.

Lastly, I hope to see everyone Saturday at the Tour de Nash. Registration is open until 11pm tomorrow/Friday so it isn't too late to register.

Let's keep riding all the e-bikes on all the greenways!

Lindsey Ganson, (she/her)

Director of Advocacy and Communications

Walk Bike Nashville
C: (347) 244-3792 

Working for a more walkable, bikeable and livable Nashville.

Moratorium on the Implementation of Dockless bikes

Yesterday the Metropolitan Transportation Licensing Commission considered a request from NDOT Director Diane Alarcon to put a moratorium on the implementation of dockless bikes.   MTLC deferred the request for one month. The Cooper administration has a contract for a minimum of 250 dockless e-bikes and the companies could implement up to 375.  Right now the number is zero because NDOT postponed them anyway probably because of that damn parks “study”.  BCycle has about 175 docked e-bikes and hopefully will have more soon. NDOT is now in charge of the BCycle contract.

I made the motion for the deferral and requested a meeting with Ms. Alaracon.  The motion passed unanimously. The commission also wants her to come and explain the traffic study she is using as a reason to block bike share.

If she had appeared I was going to propose some kind of compromise that might have included fewer e-bikes outside of downtown. Maybe in some specific area like Mid-Town or East Nashville or wherever. Obviously you couldn’t do something like that without the approval of the district councilmember.

I  assume I’ll get the meeting with her. I hope WBN will also be invited.  I know she meets with the lobbyist for the scooter companies and that’s ok.  I want her to begin thinking I need to meet with advocates before I do something. We don’t have money or power so we need to be loud. Ask your council member to communicate to Alarcon we want bike share now.

If you have ideas about how to implement a compromise propsal let us know. Something is better than nothing and right now I hope for something.

Thanks to Matt Haskell and Nicole Williams for coming to speak yesterday. Thanks to all of you who communicated with the commission. Thanks even to David Kleinfelter who wrote a great email even if he accused me of being a socialist from Inglewood.

Carey

Bike Riding Socialist from Inglewood

eBike Motor Repair

Did you do something to void your factory warranty and don’t want to spend the high price to replace it with a new one? Are you fed up with your eBike motors not lasting as long as you would want for such a high price? 

Does it seem like just looking at the Bosch, Brose (specialized), or Yamaha eBike and eAssist motors the wrong way voids the warranty? 

Did you race one race in the mud or water and suddenly your motor whines, gurrrs, grinds, or actually seize up? Does your bike shop want to send it in to the manufacturer and not touch it at all?  

EBIKE MOTOR REPAIR has you covered (NO REFERENCES). In about the time it would take for the manufacture to actually receive your motor we can get yours overhauled and sent back to get you back on the trail. We want you to feel confident too that’s why we offer a full parts and service warranty on any work we perform.

WIRED's 12 Best eBikes for Every Kind

A battery-powered motor 

lets you enjoy most of the benefits of biking, 

minus the sweat.

https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-electric-bikes/

In a time of multiple global crises—like the coronavirus pandemic, climate change, and the threat of nuclear war—it's hard not to feel helpless. If you're a grown-up who can't quite think of what to do to make anything better, I have a simple suggestion: Hop on a bike. And whether they rented one from a bike share or bought their own, millions of Americans agree. 

For years, electric bicycles were bulky, inconvenient, expensive machines with limited battery life. Slowly, that has changed. Ebikes are now lighter, more attractive, and more powerful than ever. You don't need to be physically fit to ride one. They get you outside, reduce traffic congestion, and shrink your carbon footprint. And they're fun! 

Over the past few years, my fellow Gear writers and I have tried almost every kind of electric bike, from the best heavy-duty cargo bikes to high-end mountain bikes. We're always testing new ones, so if you don't see what you want, check back later (or drop me a note!). And once you buy an ebike, check out our favorite biking accessories, bike locks, and gear for a “bikepacking” adventure.

Updated March 2022: We added new bikes that we're testing and updated our buying advice. 

Six Weeks from Hendersonville 2 Ocean

Finally, 2022 is the year for Aussie Bob's H2O leaving Hendersonville (actually Gallatin) to Savannah Georgia. He has had FOUR years to design this adventure in total detail (see the link to his Crazy Guy on a Bike. It's not been his first rodeo) journal. 

This supported SAG, Inn-to-Inn ride starts on May 21st and rolls into Savannah on June 6th. The half the riders are on ebikes and others are conventional, making this tour available to almost every capability.

Best 2022 eBikes

Hub vs Mid Drive eBikes? (No competition)

Conversation on eBikes

Comments from A Conversation about Electric Bikes -, March 9, at 1 p.m.

The A Conversation about Electric Bikes webinar is detailed on https://fogebike.blogspot.com/2022/02/conversation-about-ebikes.html   

In addition to the panelist Michael Briggs (Metro Planning) moderated and Elese Daniel gave the Nashville BCycle. I listened to the Webinar and copied the Chat Comments from the audience. I remembered only the stuff that my be important to our crew.

Ash Lovell, told al  the general marketing info. The most interesting was that eBikes has exploded three times in volume from 2019 to 2021 while conventional bicyclists have slightly declined.

Dr. Chris Cherry, gave the bicyclist perspective. He said they found eBikers on average ride slower that conventional bicyclists (I saw that data from UTK in 2016 and nothing more recent. ). He also said there isn't any meaningful statistics on ebike safety. 

For a more interesting exchange read the Chat Comments

Register for our zoom webinar. It is today at 1pm!

There's still time to register for our zoom webinar. It is today at 1pm!

 

I will be part of this panel discussion about e-bikes with Nashville BCycle, People For Bikes, Vanderbilt University and UT Knoxville. This "Conversation About Electric Bikes" is a free event and open to everyone. Invite your friends! Link to register here: https://nashville.bcycle.com/nav/events

 

What is an e-bike? What are the benefits of e-bikes? Are e-bikes allowed on greenways in Nashville? Today's Zoom webinar will be a lively discussion of these questions and more, with ample time for questions from the audience.

Hope to see you there!

 

Lindsey Ganson, (she/her)

Director of Advocacy and Communications

Walk Bike Nashville
C: (347) 244-3792 Best number while we work remotely

Nashville Parks Board Meeting 3/1/22 from Carey Rogers

The Parks Board met today to consider the recommendation from the Greenways Commission about a request from BCycle that was made last July. That’s more than six months. I don’t believe the word “Bcycle” was mentioned once during the meeting. It is unclear if any of them understand the reason this all started.  I am not impressed with the Parks staff, as you probably know, but this was a horrible example of how a public board should make decisions. I don’t blame the board members.

More for the Rogue's Gallery

This is Danny's maiden ride after many months in the hospital and recuperation. Steve Boling is accompanying him. They said that I am supposed to say,"Steve is on his spanking brand new Creo SL Como carbon."

People for eBikes

Testimonials from people who currently ride ebikes in Nashville. Sent to the Metro Greenways Commission. by Walk Bike Nashville 2/24/22

Nashville Greenway Endorsement sent February 24, 2022

Dear Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation Board Members,

We are writing today to ask that you endorse the Greenways and Open Space Commission’s recommendation that there be no changes to current e-bike law. 

 

Along with the 15 Council Members who wrote the Board this summer, we also ask that you approve the BCycle request to operate in Metro Parks.  

Danny's New Ride

Danny celebrates his end of therapy and is anxious to bike again thanks to his new Creo

Waste of City Resources

Hi all, 

Not sure what is needed from me but a bit of context that we can perhaps share to support our belief that this is a pretty mindless, wasteful discussion:

1. I ride my non-electric road bike on the greenways. I can confirm that it is possible to ride over 25 MPH on a road bike for extended periods of time. The only thing preventing me from riding 25 MPH on Greenways (at least in sections) is the posted speed limit. The bike is good for it. My e-bike tops out at 20 MPH - so yes, my road bike is significantly faster.
   
   
2. It's almost impossible to tell that my e-bike is in fact an e-bike. And if I turn off the pedal assist, it's no longer an ebike. So this makes the ban almost completely unenforceable.
   
   
3. I ride my e-bike to work every day, and I also use it to tow my ~80-lbs worth of children. If I'm not mistaken, towing your kids in a trailer is more or less exactly the kind of activity the greenways are designed for. Without the e-bike, getting my kids up hills that are more than a few percent incline becomes quite difficult, and I'm an avid cyclist. If I struggle getting them up Nashville's hills, that doesn't bode well for the rest of the population. 

So I'm aligned with everyone here and am happy to support as needed. For all of the reasons I stated above, 

this is a mindless discussion and a waste of city resources because it's a law that is both unenforceable and counterproductive.

From an email by a member of Nashville e-bike Group

Difficult to answer? Maybe the wrong question.

From Walk Bike Nashville Feb 22, 2022 newsletter --

After a long process, a "study," and many, many meetings, the Greenways and Open Space Commission decided today to do another study before recommending any policy changes regarding e-bikes on greenways.

Maybe the reason why the Commission can't get an answer is because they are asking the WRONG question. The objective for the Commission is keep the greenways safe. That has to do totally about the person riding the bike and not about the bicycle he or she is driving. DOT does not regulate by the car a person drives on the road. They regulate by how the driver travels on the road. It has a century of that experience. Why has everyone lost that competence on the greenways?

Conversation about eBikes

All – Please join us online for A Conversation about Electric Bikes on Wednesday, March 9, at 1 p.m. With all the questions surrounding possible regulation of e-bikes, Nashville BCycle and Walk Bike Nashville are convening a panel of national, regional, and local transportation experts and advocates to discuss and bridge any understanding gaps. 

.

The panel includes Dr. Chris Cherry (University of Tennessee), Ash Lovell, Ph.D (PeopleforBikes), Lindsey Ganson (Walk Bike Nashville), and will be moderated by Michael Briggs, AICP (Vanderbilt University). Learn more about the panelists and register for the event here. Best, Elese Daniel (she/her) Nashville BCycle | General Manager

Metro Greenway Commission Meeting February 9th

Metro wants an eBike study amid greenway concerns

https://fox17.com/news/local/metro-recommends-another-study-amid-concerns-over-ebikes-and-greenway-infrastructure

Nashville Greenways are a hot commodity for runners, walkers, and bikers alike. 

My quote (Tom Evans) to the ebike group has been precisely what Lindsey Ganson with Walk Bike Nashville told Fox17,  “E-bikes just allow more people to bike! An e-bike rider just gets an extra boost to keep up -- not to speed down a greenway. Really, when it comes down to it, it’s not the type of bike, it’s the rider on the bike.”

A Gazelle

The Gazelle ebike was brought to my attention. So I thought I would compare it with our favorite Vado 5.0 SL. From the beginning this Dutch import  Gazelle Ultimate T10+ HMB appears to be similar to the Vado. We checked out the review from Bicycle.com and a video from E-bike Review (below).

As always I first interest is configuration, price, weight, and class.

Making Personal Stories for eBikes

FROM CAREY:

Thanks to Ben and Tom for the stories. I’m convinced we need to make this as personal as possible since talking to people about class 1 and class 2 makes their eyes glaze over.

The best thing you can do right now is  make contact with the Greenways Commission members.  Email them and tell your story because they need to hear us.  Some of them probably can’t  be convinced but we should try.  We’re quietly trying to make a few personal contacts via people who know the members.

How I Use My eBike

How I Use My eBike

I have been riding a bicycle for eighteen years starting at the young age of sixty-three. During that period, my favorite times were on multi-week bike tours. I have traveled across National Parks, across multiple states, and from the US to Montreal. Until recently, I averaged over five-thousand miles every year and worn out three road bikes. However, my needs have changed.

Nashville Greenway Trails

Our Recommendations

Nashville Greenways Commission Report

Ebike Study Outline (Sep 2021)

Parks Greenway Access Report (Jan 2022)

Carey's Report on the Nashville Greenways Commission on Ebikes

The following highlights to Carey's report are provided by T. Evans. As a owner of an ebike he thinks both the Nashville and TDOT regulations are misguided and lack knowledge of this new technology. He will offer position statement in the next several months. He supports Carey's attempt to educate regulators.

Greetings volunteers. I hope you all enjoy riding in the cold.

I’m going to try and summarize the current situation, but this thing has become so complicated you need a scorecard to keep up. My apologies for the wordiness and any lack of clarity.

We are planning a strategy meeting via zoom on February 9 at 6 pm. We will have a better idea of what we need to do after the Greenways Commission meets that day. Katherine McDonell and I have agreed to co-chair this group. We will need to give it a catchy name like E-Bike Riders for Sanity.

750 Watts for Powered Cruiser

 

The Aurora Limited Edition has a unique step-through frame design, the Enviolo Automatiq gearing system, semi integrated frame battery, a powerful 750 Watt mid-motor, Throttle, Torque Sensor, and the Gates Carbon Drive Belt system. 20 Miles per Hour (Can be Increased to 25 mph Maximum in Off-road Mode). The bike with battery is 71 lbs. 

https://evelo.com/products/aurora-limited 

SPEC's

USBR for KY Boone Trace

https://www.boonetrace1775.com/About-Us/Bike-Signs/bike-signs.html

 

With the official designation of two new U.S. Bicycle Routes, Kentucky now has a total of 1,000 miles of connected bicycle-friendly roads. USBR 23 connects the Cave Region of Kentucky from USBR 76 to the Tennessee border. The 109-mile route travels through the small towns and historic sites of Southwestern Kentucky and connects to Mammoth Cave National Park.

Ebikes & Greenways Committee

Thanks for expressing your interest in ebikes in Nashville. And for those that have been volunteering, a special thanks to you! 

I have a few updates to share as we get into 2022!

1. We are starting a Ebikes & Greenways Committee in 2022! First meeting is on Wednesday, Feb. 9th at 6pm via Zoom. Link to Zoom registration here. We are looking for a co-chair to lead the committee with Carey Rogers. Write to me and Carey if you are interested in chairing the committee and want to learn more about co-chairing it.

New Source for Bike Parts

I have waited three months for my popular bikes source (Nashbar, BikeTiresDirect, and Performance) to get Hyperglide+ chains (CN-M7100-12). Finally, my son found an alternative source, Bicycle World. In early January, we have purchased eight of these hyperglide chains for the same best price that others were selling (if they ever receive them).

I think I just found my favorite source for bike parts. 

SIDEBAR: Doug has used CN-HG601-11 chains for his VADO 5.0 SL with 12-speed Ultregra. Almost everyone suggests they should work, but he has found the chain tends to hang up on the small cassette gears. We are guessing the 11-speed chains are a bit thicker than the 12-speed chains.

He also warns "Make sure your chain breakers are compatible for 12-speed chains." Those suitable for 5 to 11 speed chains might have a drive pin with too great diameter. It will crush a 12-speed chain.

Nashville's Ebike Controversy on Greenways

Cities Want Ebikes to Stay in Their Lane—but Which One?

 

From New York to Moab, Utah, bicyclists and municipal officials are divided over whether ebikes should be permitted on bicycle trails. 

https://www.wired.com/story/cities-debate-ebikes-belong/

It’s hard tofind anything that unites Nashville, Tennessee; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Moab, Utah; and New York City. But all of those communities, and many others, are grappling with what to do about electric bicycles.

Electric Bike: Watt, Volt, and Amp Hour Resources

EVELO list of several, hand-picked watt, volt, and amp-hour resources.

• “The Complete Electric Bike Buyer’s Guide,” is a comprehensive guide for understanding how to compare electric bikes.
• “E-Bike Motors, Explained,” is Dan Roe’s Bicycling magazine article. Well worth a read.
• “Ebike Volts VS Amp Hours,” is the Blue Monkey Bikes video featuring Michael Geurts which was quoted extensively in this article.
• “What Are The Differences Between Motor Types on Electric Bikes” explains the difference between the types of motors that may be used on your electric bike.
• “Which is better: 48V or 52V battery?” in this video electric bike expert, Micah Toll, explains the difference between lead-acid and lithium battery cells and how that difference impacts the batteries used for bikes.
• “How Much Power Does An Electric Bicycle Need?” also by Micah Toll.
• “Batteries And Power Systems” is chapter 11 of Tony R. Kuphaldt’s book, “Lessons in Electric Circuits.”
• “Electric Circuits, Hydraulic Analogy: Charge, Voltage, and Current (introduction)” is the Gary Chang video referenced in this article. Chang has many excellent and applicable videos on his YouTube channel.
• “How Much Battery Range Do I Need?” compares amp hours to electric bike range.
• “How do I maximize the battery life of my electric bike?” describes how to maintain and treat your ebike battery.
• “How do I increase the range of my electric bike’s battery?” explains what you can do to get more range on a single charge.
• “How Electric Bike Throttles and Pedal Assist Work” this video explains pedal assistance and throttles.

Installing Shimano Hyperglide Chain

Dealer Instruction for installing the hyperglide chain (CN-M7100-12) for the Vado 5.9 SL ebike is on our Maintenance Manual. listing. These chains must be installed in the correct direction. I purchase the chain at Bicycle World for $33.

For those who do not having the Shimano link tool locate the link slightly below the ring. Lock the rear wheel not to rotate. Verify the link pins are correctly on each side ot the chain plates. Quickly step firmly on the pedal crack clockwise. That will click the power link

The instruction are shown below