Is it feasible for Americans in larger cities to ride e-bikes rather than cars?

Question

I saw the Yahoo story on the success of e-bikes in China, and they have about a billion more people than we do! If the majority got together and decided to fight back against the gas companies, could we pull it off?. I think that the extent of injuries due to accidents would be less, because of the speed and size of these vehicles compared to cars, etc., especially if less cars are on the street. It would definitely not safer as far as criminal elements. Even if there was a set up so that people can commute to within a certain radius of the city and rent e-bikes for the day maybe? What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

with the average size of americans, it would be cruelty to bikes

and would the average yank handle a bike? i doubt it because they are all selfish twits.

Answer 2

For certain people in certain climates it sure would make sense.

Right now in the US we have about 10,000 people commuting on ebikes during the warmer months.  

The newest latest ebikes have outstanding ranges of over 20 miles, top speed of 20mph (limited by law) and are quite reliable. check them out at www.bionx.ca.

But it could help a lot year round in cities with good year round weather.  Health improves, more money for the family from transportation savings,  les traffic on the roads.

But still it is for certain people, living a certain distance away, and in certain cities.

A less fit rider on an ebike has a better chance of eluding the criminal element than an unfit person on a regular bike or on  foot.

Try http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/power...  for more information.

Answer 3

I think there are two problems that arise.

1) People driving cars from outside of the city. My drive is 55 miles from the country (literally, I live on a farm) into the city, where there is a huge population. And, if it's like around here, more people drive from over 20 miles away than actually live in the city.

2) Weather. Especially in cities that have harsh winters, such as Detroit, Denver, and Buffalo. I drive through Detroit on my way into work, and it's already been cold enough a couple times for ice to form on walkways at night. Bikes wouldn't be able to go through the snow covered streets, especially in the freak snow squalls that hit the Great Lakes region.

Though in larger suburban cities where many people work in the same city, such as Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, I think that using e-bikes would be a better option than cars, in turn helping aleviate traffic problems.

Answer 4

no. everyone likes the luxury of a car. they dont want to pedal, they want to get there with the press of their foot

Answer 5

Depends on the larger city .Columbus OH (15th largest) You would need to live in a neighborhood that is conductive to  because the city is so spread out and because the jobs are often far from the affordable safe neighborhoods.

If you can affford you live close to work in a good neigborhood, you can afford a car and a monthly parking pass.

It is also really hard to bike downtown during rush hour.