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7 E-bikes That Are Revolutionizing Our Streets

A greener option than most vehicles, electric bikes could transform commuting—especially in summer.
Katie Edmonds

Canadians are revved up about a new way of getting around town if the buzz at the Green Living Show in late April is any gauge. In an effort to keep fit, save money and reduce their carbon footprint, many Canadians are investing in this new technology. Like a regular bike with pedals, an e-bike also has an electric motor to help you go faster (up to 32km/h!), or let you take a break and cruise a little when you get tired.

You can use the motor all the time to make riding easier, or pedal normally and just use the motor to help out on hills and against headwinds.  The ride is smooth and silent, and meant to complement rather than overpower your cycling efforts, and the experience is entirely different from riding a gas-powered moped or motorbike. 

The ecological benefits of e-biking are substantial, including low carbon dioxide emissions when compared to driving a car or taking a bus.

It’s also easier on your wallet than a car or bus pass. Operating costs for an e-bike include: typical purchase price of $1,000 to $2,000; less than 0.5 cents of electricity per km driven; insurance - $0; plates/license - $0; parking - $0; maintenance - $150/year (estimate). 

Here we show you some of the best, most affordable and most environmentally friendly e-bikes out there.

Comments

I suppose taking an e-bike anywhere is better than taking a car or SUV. Regular bikes, however, are best if you are physically able. Does anyone ever actually pedal those e-bikes? I've never seen it. They don't look very easy to pedal: on the heavier ones, they look like useless appendages. Being older should not deter you from using a regular bike unless you have health problems. I know a lot of people over 60 who can outride me any day (I'm approaching 50 myself). Even longer commutes over 15 km are doable for most people on regular bikes. I often commute about 25 km each way to work. I don't mind e-bikes using bike lanes on roads, but please warn other bikes when you are going to pass. E-bikes are kind of scarey for me because they look like they weigh so much more then a regular bike. I wouldn't want to collide with one, especially those who are more like scooters than bicycles.
Submitted by Anonymous (guest) on Thu, 01/28/2010 - 12:23.
No!
Submitted by Anonymous (guest) on Tue, 01/26/2010 - 22:23.
I have had my E-Bike for 2 years now. I am 60 years old my wife 53. I was paralyzed from the neck down at one time, but now can walk -a little. The only problem with the new law, is the weight limit. My bike is a 2 seater and rated for 150 kilograms. Is the new law saying, I cannot take my wife with me anymore? Im too old to pedal, but too young for a scooter yet. With a bundle buggy attached, I can do my shopping, and go almost anywhere I need to, as I live on the lakeshore.
Submitted by Terry (guest) on Thu, 11/05/2009 - 20:13.
You forgot the greatest of all! Bionix A company located in Sherbrooke, now owned by Magna, so still a Canadian company. http://www.bionx.ca/products/ Check it out.
Submitted by Anonymous (guest) on Wed, 09/16/2009 - 13:18.
Canadians have been buying a lot of "ebikes" that are poorly designed, cheaply built, underpowered, overweight and overpriced. For different reasons most of the rest of the world (EU and USA) rides ebikes that look more like the "classic" pedal bike with motor and battery pack added, and weigh no more than any pedal bike laden down with a couple of bags of groceries. If you are considering buying a bicycle that has power-assist, do yourself a favour and spend some time online educating yourself about the options... A more informed buying decision will provide you with a much happier ebike experience. Cheers
Submitted by lOCk (guest) on Thu, 08/20/2009 - 07:18.
I'm reading these posts and wondering if we're talking about the same product (www.hip-ebikes.com). It would seem not. Their retro-fit kits mount on just about any old bicycle that would otherwise sit idol in basements all over the country. They aren't here replace the car - don't kid yourself - but they are becoming a viable alternative when people want to transport themselves and small loads over a 70km distance. Fully mounted on my '90 Norco mountaineer, it weights 45 pounds - which I don't think anyone would consider heavy when you compare it to a car. Bottomline, I was sold when I figured out I save $200 a month on gas when I choose to take out my ebike to and from work. My kit paid for itself after my first summer and with a two year warranty on all parts and components, I find reasons to take my ebike over my car. The government bails out the automakers - I prefer to bail myself out.
Submitted by HipEbikes (guest) on Sat, 08/08/2009 - 08:22.
The TCU (Toronto Cycling Union) wishes to ban e-bikes from bike lanes and paths, because of congestion problems and too few paths downtown Toronto. To wish for a provincial ban on a great alternative to driving for short commutes because of dowtown Toronto congestion problems is not only narrow minded but self serving. I ride mine to work on the nice days and I am riding on underused paths and lanes and see very few cyclists on my journey. I do not concern myself with downtown Toronto's problems, nor do millions of others who do not wish to pedal 15 km to work, and choose not to drive. Todays e-bikers were yesterdays cyclists and we have contributed tax paying dollars to use these paths long before some of these "lobbyists" were even born.
Submitted by Anonymous (guest) on Tue, 07/14/2009 - 10:52.
Most of the larger scooter-style ebikes will handle that weight quite easily. I weigh 250 and have no problem on most of them. I own Green City Motors in Calgary and I've ridden just about every model we stock and very few wouldn't be able to handle the weight. www.greencitymotors.com
Submitted by Greencity (guest) on Wed, 06/17/2009 - 14:13.
We need to share the road, an asset that belongs to all of us. E-Bikes have a proven safety record all over the world. They are more visible and better equipped than any bicycle. They are a clean and most efficient use of our infrastructure. It is in everyone’s interest to move ahead and concentrate on safety issues for all two wheel methods of transportation without discrimination.
Submitted by RaptorGirl (guest) on Wed, 06/17/2009 - 09:46.
One source is Daymak, which has several dealers in Toronto -- on Richmond St. downtown, Bloor West, etc. Their main store is on a side street running North off Wilson Ave. not far from Weston Rd. Daymak sells a huge variety of ebikes & gas bikes, also off-road 3 and 4 wheelers, a golf cart, etc. Their ebikes include both bicycle-like & scooter-like models. I have a Vespa-like Daymak Gatto ebike, but I have been neglecting it lately in favour of a new bicycle. Another ebike source is a shop in the West end of the Distillery district, which also rents bicycles & does history tours of the district on bikes and on Segways. A friend has one of their scooter ebikes and likes it. Upside of ebikes: they're lots of fun to ride, economical, a lot cheaper to buy than most gas scooters, don't polute, etc. Downside: they're very heavy, even the bike-like ones, because of the batteries. It's not much fun to have one fall on top of your leg, and it's hard to transport one anywhere out of your neighbourhood. Bicyclists can't tell the scooter type from a gas scooter, and raise Hell if you use one on a bike path. A minor gripe: the pedals get in your way unless they fold or you can take them off and store them someplace on the bike. Pedals are legally required, but pretty useless with a scooter-type. I don't know about the bike-like ones' pedals -- I haven't ridden that kind. I hope this helps.
Submitted by Fred (guest) on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 00:05.

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