Get a charge out of commuting by bike

The Davis Enterprise: August 14, 2009

Davis Bicycles! column #24
Author: John Swann

photo caption:
The author, John Swann, poses with his electric assist bicycle, which makes trips to the grocery store and other errands quicker and less sweaty.
WAYNE TILCOCK/ENTERPRISE PHOTO

One spring morning last year, I was riding my regular workout when another cyclist passed me. I jumped on his wheel and my speed went from 17 to about 22 mph. I soon noticed that something was amiss.

While I was wearing Lycra shorts, cycling shoes and a T-shirt, he was wearing blue jeans, sneakers and a ski jacket. It was a bit nippy that morning but this guy was way overdressed for the pace he was setting. When I came alongside I saw a large front hub that I quickly realized was an electric motor. It was silent. Cool!

Raul stopped to chat about his electric-powered bike. Before we finished talking I had decided to get one of my own. After some research, I bought a Bionx kit and installed it on my wife’s Fuji touring bike. We now share that bike by swapping out the seat and fiddling with the pedals. After more than a year and nearly 4,000 miles on the adapted bike, we could not be more pleased.

The kit can be installed on any bike. It consists of a rear wheel whose hub is the motor, a battery, wiring harness, handlebar-mounted controller and a charger. It’s extremely efficient. So far this year, the measured average efficiency is equivalent to 1,700 mpg. The assist continuously senses the force being applied to the pedals and gives a boost of 25 to 200 percent, depending on the assist level selected. You just get on the bike and ride. The difference is that you feel like you’ve borrowed Lance Armstrong’s legs.

Pushing hard at level 4 (200 percent) gives you a range of around 20 miles. If you’re conservative and use it mostly when you need help (like climbing hills and pushing a head wind), it can have a range of more than 60 miles. Four levels of regeneration can be used to recharge the battery on descents.

I’m sure some readers are wondering why a dedicated cyclist like me would have any interest in an electric assist. Indeed, a number of people have said to me, “That’s cheating.” The best response I’ve heard to that comment is, “What’s really cheating is strapping 3,000 pounds to your butt to drive downtown.”

Speaking of cheating, I should confess that I rode the Wheelworks Wednesday night time trial on the electric bike. Now that really was cheating. I was a bit embarrassed when one of the other racers shouted out as I came to the starting line, “He’s got a motor!” I got a good time, though — 20:45 for 10 miles. That’s an average speed of more than 29 mph. The amazing thing was that two guys beat me!

I digress. The main reason I use the electric bicycle is for transportation. If it’s available, I always choose the motor for errands, commuting, going out for the evening or buying groceries. One of the first things we did after installing the kit was to buy a trailer that can carry a week’s worth of groceries. With the motor you just don’t care about dragging the trailer to the grocery store and back. It’s not an issue.

For more than 27 years, I commuted to either Sacramento or West Sacramento on my bicycle several days a week. I always enjoyed the ride in the morning but disliked the ride home — especially in the summer when the afternoons are hot and there’s always a head wind.

Although I no longer commute, I know the ride home would be much better with an electric assist. People with shorter commutes could get to work more quickly and not have to worry about parking or getting sweaty. The assist really does enhance the bicycle as a viable transportation option.

Another benefit of the electric bike is that it improves the ride when my wife and I go together. Instead of both of us being frustrated because I ride faster than she does, the situation is reversed. She now has the ability to leave me in the dust. It’s fun for her to set the pace while I struggle to not get dropped. Life is always better when your spouse is happy.

— John Swann grew up in Canada, but has lived half his life in Davis. Recently retired, he enjoys riding his bike and singing in the local band Hardwater. Reach John at jwdswann@gmail.com or (530) 756-6093.