Everyone’s asking about eBikes:
1.  What are they like?
2.  When should I get one?
3.  How do I know what to get?

I say:
1.  eBikes are Fun!
2.  You should get one now!
3.  Your local bike store will help find the best eBike for you!

I am happiest when I’m toodling about town, riding with friends, and exploring new trails.  I didn’t plan to get an eBike until I was ready – thinking that would be years away!  When I injured my foot I used an eBike and planned to sell it afterwards — but soon found out — an eBike is Fun!  I can go further and faster, am able to ride mountain trails that were previously too long or too steep, zip up the hills of West Vancouver with ease, and go longer distances on flat dyke trails.  The eBike opened up so many exciting possibilities for me.

People ask if there is enough exercise?  Absolutely!  eBikes are peddle assist – you are pedalling and moving.  Exercise is the best thing we can do for our health and studies show that eBikes are having an impact on heart disease, diabetes, cancer and depression by getting more people cycling more often. People with disabilities, health problems, or seniors can keep on riding – it’s a great equalizer. An eBike adds a fun factor to exercise – biking for lunch, shopping or being out with friends. Blog reader James writes: “We are very keen cyclists, and have just gone over to eBikes.  The eBikes are a gift to us, and we are now able to enjoy our very steep countryside as we had not for the last 10 years.” In his recent Vancouver Sun article, Kevin Griffin writes, “As the number of cyclists riding bicycles for commuting and recreation continues to increase, the kind of bikes they are using is also changing. More people than ever are riding electric bicycles.”  A recent study in Europe states that eBike riders actually get more exercise than regular cyclists! And one more confirming article states, “eBikes provide intense exercise, but it doesn’t feel like a workout.”

eBikes are not just for people who ‘need them’.  You can find riders of all ages riding all types of terrain. It’s an eRevolution and there are eBikes for every type of rider from mountain bikes to cargo bikes and commuter bikes.  The newer bikes are lighter, smoother, faster, ‘cooler’ and eBike technology is changing fast. On a recent trip to the Dolomites we found that 90% of the riders were on eBikes, including kids.

Finding the right eBike for you is key and your local bike shop is the best place to start. It is most important to buy from a reputable bike shop that can service both the bike and the battery.  You should consider a new bike as used bikes are older technology and the battery may be no longer serviceable.

Sidesaddle Bikes says, “What kind of riding do you do, what is your budget and your cycling needs, then we fit a bike for you. We can also retro fit your bike with a battery.” In Vancouver be sure to visit Pedego Electric Bikes and test ride their great selection of bikes.  North Vancouver’s OHM Cycles manufactures premium eBikes – perfect to get you back in the saddle and conquering any hill, rain or shine.  In the Okanagan you can rent and try ebikes at Pedego Oyama. Double-O-Bikes in Osoyoos has bikes, ebikes, sales, rentals, and repairs.  (And will deliver in the Okanagan.)

I recently bought a Giant Liv Vall-E+ from Whistler Bike Co for city riding and easy trails. The price is reasonable and what I like most about Giant bikes is their huge battery range of 75-125km.  This longer range is most important as you will find yourself able to go much further than before!  Be sure to ask about this  — you don’t want to have range anxiety and limit your ride thinking the battery might run out! 

There are eBikes for every budget; Cit-E-Cycles has “bikes from $1,000 – 8,000. They say riders love the step-through Kalkhoff eBike with a Bosch battery range of 75-125km. You can also retro fit your own bike – eBike BC is a great place for this.

Pedego Electric Bikes says — Hello Fun!  I say: eBikes are exhilarating and you’ll never look back.  Have you tried one yet?  

Happy eBiking ~ give it a try! Colleen 

 

Hello Fun Photo thanks to Pedego Electric Bicycles

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Where to find eBikes + Let’s Go Biking Books, too!

Vancouver
Cit-E-Cycles 3466 West Broadway 
Cycle City Tours – 648 Hornby, 1344 Burrard
Comor Sports, 4th & Burrard, Vancouver
Ebike BC, 128-2323 Boundary
Motorino Electric Cycles 336 West 2nd
Pedego Electric Bikes, 2774 West 4th, Vancouver
Reckless Electric Bikes, 1357 Hornby St, Vancouver
Sidesaddle Bike Shop, 2496 Victoria Dr, Vancouver (+MapCases in stock) 
Spokes, Georgia + Denman, Vancouver

North Shore
Comor Sports, 1445 Main St, North Vancouver
Ohm Cycles, 103-930 Harbourside, North Vancouver (+MapCases in stock)

New Westminster & TriCities – PoCoMo
Cap’s Bicycle Store, 434A E Columbia St, New Westminster
Cap’s Bicycle Shop, 2840 Saint Johns Street, Port Moody

Richmond
Krusty’s Bikes 135-8460 Alexandra Rd, Richmond

Fraser Valley & Delta
Cit-E-Cycles Electric Bikes 19967 96 Ave, Langley

Surrey & White Rock
Rocky Cycle 7143 King George Hwy, Surrey
The Bike Zone 2393 King George Blvd, Surrey

Whistler
Bike Co ~ Whistler

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What eBike do you ride?  Send a photo and we’ll share our eBike joy.