By Michele Devlin and Mark Grey
As is common with many trends, they seem to start in Europe or in big American cities, and then work their way into the Midwest where locals reshape and redefine them as their own in a starkly different terrain. Such is the case with electric bicycles, commonly known as eBikes. They have been around for a number of years already in Europe and even Japan, where people often use them as a primary and effective form of commuter transportation instead of cars. American cities such as Portland, Santa Barbara, Boston, Los Angeles, and many others are seeing dramatic increases in the use of eBikes by millennials and others that are searching for low-cost, “green”, gasoline-free ways to avoid traffic and get to work fast.
The eBike trend, though, is still relatively new in Iowa, and owners of these bikes are frequently stopped on the street by curious bystanders wanting more information about them. Electric bikes are not motorcycles with engines, but rather bicycles with specially built batteries connected to them. The batteries are simple to control from the handlebars with the touch of a finger, and often have four or five levels of power. Most people use only the lowest levels to provide extra power for their ride. The battery allows the rider to go farther and faster than on a traditional bicycle. Electric bicycles are particularly helpful in going up steep hills or when hauling a heavy load up a road, such as a child carrier with kids in it. They are also becoming popular with older riders, as well as with those folks that have medical conditions limiting their ability to ride long distances.
Many riders of eBikes find they get an excellent workout because of the “fun” factor. The eBike seems to glide effortlessly, even though the rider must still pedal it, and so many people spend several hours biking a day because it is so enjoyable. For instance, our average bike ride was never more than 10 miles, but with eBikes, we are now riding 30 or more miles daily just for fun. Most eBike batteries currently have a range of 25-75 miles per charge, and it can take several hours to recharge the battery. Riders do not have to use the battery, of course, and can just pedal the bicycle like normal if they wish to do so.
In Iowa, most eBike owners are not buying them to avoid traffic or save gasoline when going to work, as our state is less crowded and has few traffic concerns. Instead, many Iowan riders are buying eBikes to expand their range of outdoor adventures. Riders that combine pedaling with the battery power of an eBike can often hit speeds of 15-20 miles per hour, thus allowing them to ride farther, faster, and stronger than ever before, such as to outdoor sites they have never seen before while on two wheels. Numerous Iowans are using their new eBikes as adventure bicycles. They can switch out street tires for knobbies, allowing them to ride effectively down rugged trails, through streams, and over gravel in the backwoods. Electric mountain bikes extend the riding season even longer with fat tires on ice and snow. These are strong, sturdy bikes, and they can carry a lot of weight. Depending on the type of eBike, they can be fitted with side panniers, front baskets, and rear bags to haul fishing equipment, tents, sleeping bags, picnic food, craft beer, and other essentials for bicycle backpacking adventures in Iowa’s remote parks. (Southern Californians can buy special racks for eBikes to carry their short surfboards to the beach!) Because they have no motor, eBikes are legally allowed on most off-road paths and trails just like regular bikes, so are of great use to hunters and fishermen wanting to carry their loads more remotely. Even RAGBRAI, Iowa’s annual week-long bicycle ride across the state, can become more accessible through the use of eBikes to aid people with longer distance, tough rides that have previously been beyond their physical reach. Likewise, eBikes can be used by rural first responder units in the state to help reach victims faster in remote park areas with urgently needed medical care.
For more information on eBikes, visit your local bicycle store or the many online blogs, forums, and websites from vendors. The sheer joy of electric bicycles is infectious, addictive, and just ridiculously fun. Endless outdoor adventures await those willing to experience the state on two wheels.
