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Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the US Next? (bloomberg.com)
Sales of electric-bike is growing in many parts of the world. Asia-Pacific region, for instance, is estimated to see 32.8M of them sell this year, and 1.6m of e-bikes are expected to be sold in Western Europe by the end of this year. In China, in particular, the ban on motorcyle has lead to massive e-bike adoption. Over the years we've seen many companies such as BG and Pedego dish out models after models, offering bikes ranging from elegant folding versions to flat-tire variants. Despite all the growth elsewhere in the world, North America and Latin America are estimated to see less than 250,000 inventories move this year. But going forward, the number is likely to see a major growth. From a Bloomberg article: Electrics "finally have legs to be able to take off in the U.S.," because cyclists are feeling safer on the roads, battery and motor technology is improving, and retail prices are dropping, says Todd Grant, president of the National Bicycle Dealers Association. However, e-bikes have been banned in some U.S. cities because of safety concerns. [...] The U.S. market could develop "way faster" than Europe's did, says Claus Fleischer, who heads Bosch's e-bike division. The German multinational began selling motors and batteries for electric bikes in 2011 and now supplies more than 60 brands, primarily in Europe. It opened a subsidiary in Irvine, Calif., in 2014 and is sponsoring e-bike expos across the U.S., including one in Portland, Ore., that ran for three days in late May.
Having used eBikes for a daily commute in China I think they are a great technology, practical and affordable. The average price for an eBike was about USD $400 when I lived there a couple of years ago. Current eBikes outside of China appear to be grossly over priced. There are a few changes need if they wish to sell outside of China. The build quality needs to improve, quite doable. The speed restrictions need removed, typically 35kph which is too slow in cities outside China, 55kph (35mph) should make them able to mix with cars safely in cites. They currently have 500W motors which would probably need boosted to 750W-1KW for flat cites and 2-3KW for hilly cities.
Not a fallacy at all. Your chances of dying from lazy lifestyle, or car-caused polution, is much higher than dying in a bicycle accident. His advice is very accurate. Look at NYC and the bike renewal there.
Some reasons: Americans have a pathological hate for cyclists. They think that roads are built for cars and not transport in general, and all American drivers think they own the road they drive on.
Living in a college town there are reasons other than the ones you quote, like 'Murricans wannd burn gas and the other tripe you spewed.
Around my little city, most of the Car/bike accidents result in a citation against the bike rider, as many consider stop signs and traffic lights not for them. And in the downtown area, the typical accident is a bike blowing through a traffic light and hitting a car on the side. Riding 5 abreast to the middle of the road - even with a bike lane - is also popular.
Some riders have such a bitched up attitude, they become counter productive. I was assisting with a bike road race, following behind the last riders, and one of them got pissed at me because I wouldn't pass him. Went all apeshit on me. Dropped back a couple times to I suppose kick the door. Spent a while swearing at me. I let him, then announced who I was. A simple radio call to the next way station, and he was disqualified for abuse of an official.
The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.