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GUESTS: JENN DICE, LARRY PIZZI
My itchy eyes and constant sneezing tell me that spring has finally arrived in NE Ohio. But here’s the crazy thing: I only have symptoms indoors at home or work. I was totally fine on a 6-hour ride today. I think nature is trying to send me a message.
Besides my spring allergy update, you might want to know who’s on The Outspoken Cyclist this week. Well I’ll tell you…
First up, we have Jenn Dice , Vice President of Government Relations at Bikes Belong. Jenn directs Bikes Belong’s Bohm Strategy Center and leads Bikes Belong’s lobbying team and government relations program. She’s also a bonafide adventurer, having completed the Leadville Trail 100 on several occasions, and climbed up and biked down Mt. Kilimanjaro!
The second half of today’s show is dedicated to electric-assist, or E-Bikes. In the automotive world, we have the Toyota Prius as the best known example of the hybrid car, and now the “hybrid bike” is beginning to get attention in the United States. Larry Pizzi of Currie Technologies is on hand to give us a thorough and insightful explanation of what E-Bikes are, and why they may fill a gap between fully-motorized and fully-human-powered transportation. A device that provides a constant tailwind? Yes, please!
In regards to eBikes: I do not le them, they are motor vehicles….period! I see a lot of eBikes in NY city and I have yet to see the rider push the pedal! EBikes are no different than mopeds except they do not make smoke. The riders using them are using them for delivery type of jobs and many younger riders use them for getting around. But don’t let this fool you, this is going to do nothing for the norm cyclist, in fact I feel it is going to take away from it. People in general really do not like to sweat and these ebikes will attract these type of people. And since the infrastructure for bikes in reality is just horrendous in the USA, these eBikes will be more attractive than regular bikes. So in the long run, improvement for the norm cyclist will be a forgotten thing.
These bikes do close to 30 mph not 20 mph and I know because they motor pace me on the nyc bike path as they deliver food. They are dangerous by definition – a bike is a human powered vehicle …. Any thing else is cute but no cigar. I under stand people see a money maker here but if you can’t handle a bike you shouldn’t be on two wheel especially a powered one. Nice try….
Don’t worry Bob and John, cycling as you know it is in no danger, people who are young and fit do not see the advantages of ebikes, and will spurn them as you do. However there are just as many people who will not or cannot manual cycle for a myriad of reasons. Do not let your cycling purist ideals cloud your vision in recognizing the “friendlies”, bikes are a replacement for a car, not a bicycle, and more cyclists of any stripe can only benefit the push for more infrastructure.
I am an avid road and mountain biker and have am slowly becoming a convert on e-bike usage where I have in the past not been a fan. To bike commute to work I’ve got about an 18 mile trip on some rural then suburban roads. I feel the ebike will let me do this ride in a much shorter time, allowing me to do more at home and or work before I have to hop on the bike. In addition the boost in speed should allow me to get up to cruising speed and be less of a target to cars. I think they have a place.
E-bikes are too fast for crowded bike lanes and MUT’s. They are probably a great alternative for suburban or rural settings but in the big city they will lead to accidents. 20 mph in a 4 foot bike lane is fast then add some children riding home from school w/ dad and it is a recipe for disaster. You can spin control by calling it “slow” all you want, but they aren’t slow. They should be in traffic, period, and yes I have ridden one. Don’t get me started on Segways.