Earth Equity News

Despite Ban, Electric Bikes Gain Favor in New York City. By J. David Goodman, NYTimes, October 20, 2009. "Hugely popular in China for several years, e-bikes, as they are often known, are increasingly present on the streets of New York, especially downtown and in Midtown, where many delivery men have traded up for the faster, easier ride... The difference between an electric bike and other electric-powered, two-wheeled vehicles is that an e-bike can be pedaled with no motor power. Most have a longer wheelbase than standard bicycles and only eight gears, with the motor providing the extra assistance. One of the more common e-bikes in Manhattan is the eZee Forza, which resembles a regular bicycle with a battery pack running along the seat tube... For the moment, electric bicycles occupy a nebulous legal lane on the road. Not quite a scooter, not quite a bike, e-bikes are considered 'motor-assisted bicycles' under New York State law and are banned from state roads and city streets... A bill is making its way through Albany that would amend the law to allow electric bikes with a top speed of 20 miles per hour and less than 1,000 watts of power. (Most other states limit power output to 750 watts.)"