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I looked thru all the threads in the motorcycles section - I am REALLY surprised that there was no thread for electric bikes/motor scooters - so I'm starting one! Why? Well......several reasons. First, it is 'green' technology, which is significant (more on that in a bit).....and second, it is a GROWING market segment in China. Many cities are outlawing or starting to phase out gas engine motorcyles (Nanning, for example is planning on phasing them out in a few years by not allowing them to have their registration renewed), so the alternative is a electric bike or motor scooter. They now come in all shapes and sizes, and the large 60kw models are FAST - faster off the line than most gas bikes with a top speed of 60-65kph. I just bought one two weeks ago.....traditional styling, room for two people, 60kw electric engine, front disc brake, alarm system built in and two storage areas - a rear carrier box as well as under the seat. It is perfect for where I live in Nanning - I can ride to my school, the nearest Wal Mart is 10 minutes away, and because it's a 60kw model I have increased range as well.........up to 70km between charges if I don't go full speed all the time!!
I am also embracing green technology and reducing my carbon footprint by cutting down my taxi usage by 70-80%.......and one more thing - IT'S FUN!!! Now, you're probably asking "ok, how much for something like this?" - would you believe 2,700rmb ($395.00 US)?? They are not required to be licensed (yet), and there aren't really a lot of rules about riding them......which needs to change but that's another discussion. Let's get back to green technology......
I think it is absurd that something like this is NOT really available in the USA. Sure, I know that some versions of electric bikes are available there, but nothing like what is available here in China. There are literally THOUSANDS of them on the streets in Nanning, and all across China you'll see the same thing. They are relatively inexpensive, provide a real alternative between the bicycle and the automobile, are quiet (unlike motorbikes which can be downright noisy) and help the environment. They need to be regulated better here as well as creating some sort of "riders training" - but they are still a great example of green technology in use right now in today's world providing a transportation source for MILLIONS of chinese citizens daily. Could these work in the USA????? I don't see why not - license them (for city revenue), require some sort of training for riders and limit them to city streets (say.....streets that are 35mph and under). Students could use them for school commutes, adults could them as a alternative to using the car for the "quick run down to the store for a loaf of bread" type of trips that most EVERYONE does - and if you can eliminate those short trips where is car isn't really necessary, I'll bet you could see a savings of up to 5% in american gas consumption across the board - maybe more? They can be plugged in at home (my apartment complex provides a plug-in area for electric bikes - 20rmb a month for residents), they charge easily overnight and IF you ride them sensibly they are probably safer than gas motorcycles simply because you don't go as fast on them. I'm going to end my lengthy comments here by asking a couple of questions and seeing your comments on this...............first - why aren't they available in the USA (or other countries)? Second - SHOULD they be available in the USA (or other countries)?
Anyway, I hope this will be a worthy addition to the motorcycles section of the forum - looking forward to comments and active discussion!!
I think it is absurd that something like this is NOT really available in the USA. Sure, I know that some versions of electric bikes are available there, but nothing like what is available here in China. There are literally THOUSANDS of them on the streets in Nanning, and all across China you'll see the same thing. They are relatively inexpensive, provide a real alternative between the bicycle and the automobile, are quiet (unlike motorbikes which can be downright noisy) and help the environment. They need to be regulated better here as well as creating some sort of "riders training" - but they are still a great example of green technology in use right now in today's world providing a transportation source for MILLIONS of chinese citizens daily. Could these work in the USA????? I don't see why not - license them (for city revenue), require some sort of training for riders and limit them to city streets (say.....streets that are 35mph and under). Students could use them for school commutes, adults could them as a alternative to using the car for the "quick run down to the store for a loaf of bread" type of trips that most EVERYONE does - and if you can eliminate those short trips where is car isn't really necessary, I'll bet you could see a savings of up to 5% in american gas consumption across the board - maybe more? They can be plugged in at home (my apartment complex provides a plug-in area for electric bikes - 20rmb a month for residents), they charge easily overnight and IF you ride them sensibly they are probably safer than gas motorcycles simply because you don't go as fast on them. I'm going to end my lengthy comments here by asking a couple of questions and seeing your comments on this...............first - why aren't they available in the USA (or other countries)? Second - SHOULD they be available in the USA (or other countries)?
Anyway, I hope this will be a worthy addition to the motorcycles section of the forum - looking forward to comments and active discussion!!