When younger, riding a bicycle was necessary to get to places that were too far to walk and for
most of the time was an enjoyable way to get there. With age small hills strangely become
big hills and many trusty steeds ( bikes ) languish in the shed due to too much effort required.
Currently there is a huge interest in road cycling due to events like the Tour de France and the
Australian Tour Down Under and these appeal mainly to fit younger ones as a sport involving a
usually expensive machine and wearing a colourful lycra uniform.
European cities where bikes are prevalent such as Amsterdam feature the "sit-up" cycle style
being the bike we used to ride where the cycling is relaxed, sitting straight up without a
bent spine and safer because your view is all around rather than restricted by bending
forwards plus you can wear whatever you have on at the time, no change of costume is required. Bicycle SA in Adelaide provides free bikes and many global cities have or are planning to introduce
free or really cheap hire of bikes to get around, ease traffic congestion and pollution plus promote healthy activity. Refer the Links below for cycling forums, news, purchase, etc.
However, Technology has just come of age and the E-Bike, or electric bicycle, is appearing in huge numbers on streets and bike-ways globally.
Firstly, light weight alloy construction so an E-Bike including the 5kg battery may weigh about 25kg about the same as the case you may travel with.
Secondly, Lithium batteries are now 36 volt 10 Ah and can provide a range of 45km, a maximum speed of 28km/hr, are rechargeable about 800 times at a cost of about 10c
per charge of 4 to 5 hours and rated at 200 watts which is effectively an extra person cycling for you. The battery is easily removed for charging or leave it in-situ.
E-Bikes generally use the pedelec, pedal electric assist, system but now popular is the added hand throttle if you want to take it real easy. The motor is very quiet.
Folding E-Bikes will generally fit into the car aIlowing riding from wherever you park such as parklands into the city, trip to the beach for a coastal ride, Clare Reisling Trail, etc.,
in fact, anywhere a good safe cycle network exists and you are not sweaty when you arrive being a real plus.
Folding bikes and E-Bikes are popular with persons using caravans or living in upstairs flats.
Good alloy E-Bikes with lithium battery cost from $1000 up and steel with lead-acid much cheaper but those may not be a satisfactory option due to weight and battery life.
A 200 watt E-Bike needs no registration in Australia, currently you must wear an approved helmet and it is a good idea to get a strong lock and chain.
People are rediscovering cycling enjoyment and E-Bike users in particular find it is now their car that is languishing in the shed.
