Now is the time to buy an electric motorcycle.

Zero Motorcycles announced on October 8 that they are the first e-cycle company that meets all US and Canadian safety standards. They have also passed EPA certification, which allows their bikes to qualify for major federal tax credits of 10% of the purchase price, as well as a state sales tax credit.

The base price of both the 2009 Zero S and DS is $9,950. Purchasers can now claim a tax credit of $995, when they file. They can now also claim whatever state sales tax amount is paid for the Zero bike on their federal tax return.

Source:
Zero S and DS Electric Motorcycles are Now $1,000 Cheaper

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The New Yorker magazine recently published a letter from a reader in China, who said:

In the chaotic ecosystem of Chinese roadways, the electric bike fits in right where the infernal moped might have once hoped to go, as a stepping stone for growing families or a low-cost option for commuters.

For anyone who has not been to China, it is easy to lose sight of just how big a deal this is: China has twenty-five million cars, but it has four times as many e-bikes. It is hard to overstate the impact of that when you wonder how China could possibly continue down the path to car-saturation. (Consider: Were China to end up with the same density of cars as that of the U.S. today, it would mean nine hundred and seventy million cars in China—fifty per cent more than the entire worldwide car fleet in 2003.)

To read the complete letter, check out Join the Turtle King Revolution.

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There’s more to the green revolution than just e-bikes. Three-wheeled bikes are gaining popularity as well, indeed, the market is growing faster than that for cars and trucks.

Indeed, three wheel bikes (two in the back, one in the front) come in a variety of styles, regular trikes for senior citizens or other people without a good sense of balance, and the smaller, more mobile versions such as the Segway.

See the complete article which discusses these at Tricycles for adults.

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Amsterdam, the Netherlands — Bike Europe reported recently on the success that ebike manufacturers are finding.

Germany is still the largest bicycle-producer in Europe, but it is currently being outnumbered in terms of value by the Netherlands. The vast difference in price between a regular bicycle and an e-Bike is the reason behind this ranking change.

The Dutch statistics agency (CBS) reported that the bikes produced in Europe last year were valued € 1.9 billion, of which 30% came from the Netherlands. The second in ranking is Germany with € 340 billion (18% of the total market) and third is France with € 170 billion (8% of the total market).

In 2008 the total Dutch bike production output was valued at € 577 million, a rise of 20% related to 2007. The Netherlands owes this leading position to a high average value per unit, boosted in the past years by the rising popularity of e-Bikes. Due to the advanced technology the average value of an e-Bike is far above that of a standard bike.

Last year the Dutch bought approximately 125,000 e-Bikes, approximately 10% of the market in volume. It is expected that this will rise to 25-30% in five years time.

See the original article at: E-Bikes Turns Bike Bizz into Big Billion Business.

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Walking tours and bike tours of locations around the world are growing in popularity, superseding the old-fashioned method of touring by bus, which kept people apart from the very people and locations they’d come to see.

Innovatronix Inc., is a Filipino-owned company producing electronics and other equipment, which recently came up with another innovation. The Tronix Ebike Exceed: the next generation electric bicycle, which has become a success with tourists.

The bike has a 16” wheel diameter, is foldable, and can run at speeds of to 30kph, and up to 20 kms on a full charge.

Because it’s collapsible, it’s easy to bring during biking trips.

“We have come up with the Tronix Ebike Exceed for those who want to go out and have fun – they can explore the outdoors with ease because this bike is foldable and small enough to bring along during trips and leisure activities,” said Ryan Untalan, Marketing Officer of Innovatronix.

“It can be placed in a small car’s trunk. Storing it is also hassle-free because its small dimension allows it to be kept even in tight spaces.”

The Ebike Exceed is environment-friendly. It uses a 300W and 24V battery-operated motor to run efficiently.

It does take three to five hours to re-charge the battery.

For inquiries on the Tronix Ebike Exceed, call Innovatronix at 645-1592/ 645-6124, e-mail:marketing@innovatronix.com, or visit web site: www.innovatronix.com or http://tronixebike.blogspot.com.

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Ireland — Electric bikes have been bought for recreational use in the past, but Dublin-based distributor GreenAer has noticed a shift in buyer behavior.

People are now purchasing them with the intent of commuting to and from work.

With an electric bike, “virtually all journeys can be done with ease.” Bikers get the exercise they want, the travel is far less expensive, and people are doing their bit to help the environment.

Electric bikes fall under the Cycle to Work Scheme, so purchasers can save up to 40%.

The bikes are virtually maintenance free as they have few moving parts and fuel costs are minimal. The electricity for charging is the only fuel required and costs about 45 cents per 20-30 kilometers.

GreenAer is a Dublin-based company which distributes EasyBike power assisted electric bikes throughout Ireland. They also distribute the REVA electric car. They are currently looking for sub-distributors across the country. For information, images or comment please contact: Lisa Redden tel: 01 2108134;
mobile: 087 7726114; email: lisa@greenaer.ie

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Stuart, Florida — What driver hasn’t been stuck in traffic, wishing that half the cars on the road would disappear? What driver hasn’t stopped by a gas station to fill ‘er up, only to wince at the sight of the price per gallon.

Electric bikes will feel a need, and entrepreneurs around the country are starting up e-bike shops to sell this relatively new mode of transport. (Ebikes aren’t new, but they are only now gaining popularity in the United States.)

Linda Gaudino is one of these entrepreneurs. She has started an online site to purchase ebikes, the Electric Bikeshop at electricbikeshoponline.com.

“Way cooler than you think, you can ride a bike, they really sell themselves because they’re so cool,” said Gaudino.

The bikes she sells run anywhere from 500 to 1500 dollars.  Online sales have been just as healthy as in store sales.

Gaudino said, “It’s really really neat, there’s an audience of billions online.”

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The Cykle is a project modeled on the Bike Share systems which are gaining a bit of popularity around Europe, where people can rent the bikes at one location, and drop them off at another.

The Cykle was specially built to be low to zero maintenance. It features solid over-mold tires so there’s no need to worry about flat tires ever again. It has a fully enclosed drive train that will prevent oil from somehow finding its waqy onto clothing.

There is no manufacturing date attached to this particular bike model, though.

Source: Ubergizmo.com

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Milwaukie, Oregon — Among a host of green programs being introduced to the city is one to increase the popularity and availability of ebikes.

A city employee bike-commuter program was introduced in October 2008, as well as an electric car plug-in in downtown Milwaukie.

City employees who needed to commute between the city’s sites in downtown Milwaukie, the Public Safety Building at 32nd and Harrison and the Johnson Creek facility may do so by bicycle. Many of the bikes available come from impound lots or used bike sales.

The bikes have been equipped with bells, lights, helmets and bright orange vests with the city’s logo on the back.

Last October the bikes were ready to go, all liability policies were in place and riders were encouraged to commute by bicycle.

“A limited number of folks” have taken advantage of the program so far, but Shirey hopes that “as time goes on the number will increase.”

Source:
The Clackamas Review, Jun 2, 2009

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UK — Bicycle and electric bicycle (e-bike) share programs are increasing in popularity. It’s widely done in Europe, and the US is following the lead in big cities such as New York, San Francisco, and LA.

Citybyke is an automated system for renting and returning e-bikes that utilizes an ATM-like kiosk/charging station that controls a bank of bicycles.

You go to a kiosk to rent a bike (with a credit card or member card). You’re given a PIN number that you use at the docking station to release the bike. You then return the bike to any kiosk station in the area and plug the bike back into an empty docking station, which ends your rental.

Currently, Citybyke is only available in the UK . Memberships start at two pounds per day. The local partner company, Share Limited, manages the kiosks.

The Bike

The Citybyke system uses a proprietary bicycle — only it can be placed on its docking station. They make extensive use of fairings and enclosed components to keep any moving parts from being exposed as well as to prevent theft of bicycle parts. The bikes are built in module fashion, so that portions can be removed and replaced quickly, which will allow for localized requirements like lights or reflectors to be added.

Source: Citybye

Resource: Zoomilife

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