E-Bikes & Climate Change: What We Learned

In September and October 2022, Washington Commons Cohousing in collaboration with the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA) held a series of meetings to explore how e-bikes (electric bikes) can contribute to reducing climate change causing emissions – and how we can encourage this positive development.  Here’s what we learned.      
  
We learned that an e-bike is a form of micro-transportation AKA transportation sized to our transportation need (we don’t need heavy automobiles for most of our travel). Most of our trips are short and can be accomplished with e-bikes. We also learned e-bikes are fun – 

now put those two together – we can have fun and make an important contribution to reducing climate change emissions.
 
We learned about the City of West Sacramento’s existing bicycle network and plans for future improvements. Washington Commoners will have a great place to ride their bikes!

We learned that it’s a great time to buy an e-bike. The newer ones are lighter due to smaller more efficient batteries and motors. They include advanced computer technology and apps to help us navigate and track our progress.

We learned a little about the law. The California Vehicle Code (CVS) section 312.5 defines 3 classes of e-bikes:

• Class 1 Assist up to 20 mph, no throttle
• Class 2 Assist up to 20 mph, may have throttle
• Class 3 Assist up to 28 mph, no throttle

In 2023 all e-bikes will be legal to operate on streets & paths where bikes are legal.

We learned the key aspects of e-bikes to help us select our own transportation. Very likely, we’ll select bikes useful for getting around town easily and safely –comfort bikes are easy to ride about town; cargo bikes are for hauling; and three wheelers (trikes) are for those with balance concerns.

We learned about types of electric pedal assist:

• Throttle only: Push a button or lever and it goes! This is good for people with partial disability; it’s simple, inexpensive to build, but can discourage exercise as you can operate without pedaling. However, some are lower quality.
• Pedaling sensor: The motor turns on immediately when rider pedals; it’s simple, inexpensive and the rider can choose from multiple assist levels. May be a bit disconcerting when all power engages at once.
• Cadence sensor: These measure the rider’s cadence (RPM); the faster you pedal, the more power you get. It eliminates a big surge of power when you’re just starting out and encourages higher cadence, but the power can be weak when you need to climb hills
• Torque sensor: It measures rider’s torque (power output); the harder you pedal, the more assist, which means more power when you need it most. It multiplies the rider’s own output and creates a “natural” feeling that is fun, difficult to engineer and the most expensive.

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​We learned about e-bike batteries: Many modern e-bikes have the motor built into the crank area where you pedal (mid-drive). This provides good weight balance and integrated wiring. Some have the battery and motor on the back wheel hub (hub drive). This allows any traditional bike to be used as an e-bike and can offer regenerative braking. 

We learned how to choose a great E-Bike:

1. Be sure there is local support when you need it. Purchase from an established company with a well-trained dealer network that provides readily available updates to hardware, firmware & software, with parts & service available.
2. Ask questions of other e-bike owners and dealers; ask what advantages the dealer will provide, such as financing, help with government incentives, warranty and service.
3. Begin with a great bicycle sized and fit to you, with quality components, an integrated mid-drive system that includes a torque sensor, an app or controller, a UL-listed battery and motor.

A final thought from Peter Jacobsen, one of our presenters: “Bicycles are the most efficient land transportation humanity has ever invented, so implementing measures to increase bicycle usage is a good thing for society’s overall energy use.” “This is the way to keep your mobility – and enjoy doing it – without using a car!” Darell Dickey said.

Thank you to Peter, Darell and all of our presenters: Steve Rosen, Ken Bradford, Arlete Hodel and Jonathan ­­­­­­­Burke.

We learned and we were inspired!

Washington Commons Cohousing & SABA

Deb Banks, SABA & Anne Geraghty, Washington Commons

If you'd like to find e-bike dealers in Sacramento, Davis or Folsom, check out our curated list!