Electric bike just the ticket

This story first appeared in the April issue of EVtalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

You’ve just gotta get an electric bike.

Test one for free or hire one to try it out – few can resist.

I grabbed a Big Street Bikers’ (BSB) urban commuter e-bike from BSB’s Rechargery to try over Easter. It has teamed up with Mercury to provide a solar-powered electric bike recharging station in Auckland.

Just the short kilometre hop back to the office was a treat. I can understand why e-bike riders have mile-wide smiles, especially when the sun’s out and the scenery breathtaking.

I was back in no time though, thanks to the cycle paths and short waterfront stretches around the Viaduct Harbour.

The journey home was a different story – a puncture at Newton caused by glass at the intersection cut the ride short.
I always carry a spare tube and gas cylinder for my “bullet-proof” road bike’s high-pressure tyres but these were no good for the fatter e-bike ones.

Call home, get a lift in peak traffic, try to fix with puncture repair kit but the patch doesn’t stick properly – or else I’ve missed more glass cuts.

Rory Hunter from the Rechargery kindly gives me a new tube and I’m on my way again.

I’m told the Rechargery is investigating getting puncture proof tyres – a good idea from what I’ve seen.

There’s a considerable amount of glass on the cycle paths and at intersections lately. I wonder who cleans it up? When I’m stopped, I usually try to shift the worst of it.
Back on the road and cycleways again, the BSB bike zooms along. In fact, I’m hardly out of three on the 0-5 speed pedal assist and still doing around 30kmh-plus.

It almost needs another gear because the bike can hit close to 40kmh and my feet seem a blur.
I don’t have to work up a sweat either, although an e-bike will still let me get plenty of exercise using lower pedal assist.

The 36V 300W brushless motor packs plenty of punch.
The only time I use the thumb throttle is for a bit of extra oomph up a steep section while carrying a heavy backpack (the laptop, bike charger, lunch, clothes and other gear) on the 23km stretch from home to work.

I like the Mercury yellow livery on the e-bike too – stands out. Customers can, however, get a custom paint job and logos added for little extra cost.

Discounts are also offered to Mercury customers for selected e-bikes.

BSB says its bikes have been tested and tweaked to suit New Zealand conditions. Sure seems that way to me.

It’s comfortable to ride, handling bumps and potholes with ease – especially with front fork suspension (which you can turn off if you wish).

A step-through, it’s easy to dismount or rest while waiting for lights to change, and these are a popular style.

The 10AH removable battery holds a charge well, easily capable of doing 40km to 50km. After 23km the battery is barely down to half strength, and that’s even after a few steep sections.

Disc brakes ensure plenty of stopping power, required when a pedestrian steps out on the road in front of me near the Viaduct. I don’t even have time to sound the bell or yell a warning. Not sure who got the biggest fright.

The Shimano seven-speed gears are easy to use – I generally stay in top gear unless starting.
The BSB e-bike also has an intelligent LCD controller, giving you all the information you need at a glance, including battery power, speed, distance, pedal assist level and more.

A bright LED headlight and battery powered rear light ensure the rider is visible, although I also have flashing rear lights on my Livall smart helmet and put an extra flashing light on the handlebars with daylight saving ended.

I prefer wearing bright and high visibility gear too – anything to ensure you are better seen, especially in dimmer winter light.

The cycleways make riding a dream – I now only have to dice with traffic on the home stretch or in a short section between the Nelson St and Quay St cyclepaths.

E-bike riders should also remember to warn people on the shared pathways that they are about to pass from behind. Sound a bell or call out if necessary. Many people have difficulty judging an e-bike’s speed, so care is needed – especially in traffic.

I can see why e-bikes are popular though – I’ve noticed many more on the cycleways this year.

They’re quick, take steep sections in their stride and you can ride them in your work clothes (I’ve seen people in suits on them).

A BSB urban e-bike is priced at $2500, with Mercury customers getting it for $2250.

Give one a try – the Big Street Bikers’ team at the Rechargery can help.