Ebikes: economic & safe option?

Electric bicycles (e-bikes) are the latest rage among those seeking an alternative vehicle to cars, trucks and motorcycles. This is true for the average citizen within a community and for those of us who travel extensively. Combining a small electric motor, with a standard bicycle, is both simplifying and complicating a decision to buy one. An e-bike can be seen as a substitute for agile folks who do not want to use a car or truck for trips around the neighborhood. It is also a factor for those of us who tow a vehicle behind our RV.

When using a towed vehicle simply to travel a few miles from home, or a campground, e-bikes make more sense. Cheaper to buy, easier to haul, relatively low maintenance, no insurance or license fees, no yearly taxes, etc... and very convenient to hook/unhook. However, there are many decisions to be made before actually spending $1,000 - $5,000 for an e-bike. Where, how, why and when do you plan on riding an e-bike? What are the risks to making this leap from sedan-to-saddle?

Many national and state parks, monuments and forests have dedicated bike trails that welcome e-bike riders who use “pedal assist modes.” This simply means that the bike has an interactive means of assisting by adding some power needed to peddle the bike. This is different than a “throttle” commonly used in motorcycles and motor scooters. Also, as long as you are not afraid of cycling in traffic, it can be used to travel from campground to museums, malls, attractions in nearby towns.

How one handles a bicycle is also important. Having dropped a motorcycle on my right foot twice, the e-bike would have resulted in less permanent damage! Having two different colored feet is embarrassing! The sense of balance, awareness of orientation and stimulus-response rate should be considered. How physically strong, mentally alert and risk-averse each rider exhibits should be weighed into the decision before buying an e-bike.

Why would anyone consider buying a bicycle to ride in traffic, or after decades away from the last bicycle ride, only to read about the increasing rates of accidents on bicycles? This is especially critical for elderly Rvers who may have onset disabilities, failing strength and balance-challenged behaviors! The tradeoff between a traditional “toad” and risks of bicycle traveling may not be worth the change.

Finally, when would the advantage of having an e-bike while “seeing the country we defend” (motto of the national veterans RV organization) be justifiable? Seeing that a scenic trail of several miles may be too long to walk, but great for a bicycle! Or that a trail has at least 1,000 feet elevation change can be overcome using an e-bike. Then there are the several trips per week we just need to ride a few miles to Wally-world to by our “vittles!” In other words, whenever we want to get out and ride at a slower, easier pace.

The risks that come with the decision may not be obvious until one experiences the extra power that propelled you faster than you intended. The very power you need to climb, or extend a distance, gets built up to a point where it may be difficult to come to an immediate stop. One may find that the bike stops immediately, but not the rider! As the rider flies off the bike, the adage that a “body in motion tends to stay in motion” flashes through one's memory bank. That is where risk-protection includes adequate experience, a helmet, long trousers and a shirt with sleeves.

Therefor, caveat emptor! Before buying an e-bike, visit some bicycle shops, try out a few in an empty parking lot, and make sure that you have the physical strength, intact balance system, mental alertness and a well-endowed wallet before making the purchase. If you are a military veteran and Rver that uses an e-bike, let me know how you are doing. Veterans helping veterans who RV keeps us all on the road!

Lou Finkle … [email protected]