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balding_dude86 | 1 Jun 2000 17:04

A commuting question

Hi, everyone! First I want to say how wonderful this group hasbeen; I have found it very supportive and I
don't feel so alone inthis world since I don't have a car and actually don't like drivingmuch.Even if I did
like driving and managed to overcome my anxieties and pass the road test , however, there is no way that I
couldafford a car at this point. I have been looking at other ways toget around. The dilemma I have is this:
do any of you haveexperience with those electric mini-scooters (like the Zappy
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John Stickel | 4 Jun 2000 03:51
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Re: Digest Number 187

> 1. A commuting question
> From: balding_dude86@...

Forget the little electric scooter. Help the
environment and help put your cardiologist on a
budget- ride your bike, you big sissy.

=====
Great Touch - Massage for the "Everyday Athlete"
John Stickel, Nationally Certified Massage Therapist
Seattle, Washington
Phone: (206)226-8291
Fax: (206)226-9533

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Neil Baker | 4 Jun 2000 20:06

Re: Digest Number 187

He's probably one of those who is not carfree by choice, but by legal
restriction for driving irresponsibly.

Neil Baker
Why do I ride my bike to work?
Because I can!

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Stickel" <greattouch@...>
To: <CarFree@...>
Sent: Saturday, June 03, 2000 6:51 PM
Subject: Re: [CarFree] Digest Number 187

> > 1. A commuting question
> > From: balding_dude86@...
>
> Forget the little electric scooter. Help the
> environment and help put your cardiologist on a
> budget- ride your bike, you big sissy.
>
> =====
> Great Touch - Massage for the "Everyday Athlete"
> John Stickel, Nationally Certified Massage Therapist
> Seattle, Washington
> Phone: (206)226-8291
> Fax: (206)226-9533
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Photos -- now, 100 FREE prints!
(Continue reading)

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Ross or Judy | 4 Jun 2000 20:08

Re: A commuting question

I started riding a motorcycle while recovering from a rear ender on my
bicycle. i built a tadpole trike a year later but didn't use it much until I
got an electric assist. For the following year i only put on about 500
clicks on my BMW motorcycle. The electric assist enabled me to cycle my 30
km commute with ease.
I couldn't justify keeping the motorcycle but I needed something for longer
trips. The bus or train services are o/k but I have trouble walking once I
get to my destinations. So I built a folding recumbent bike. Now I use the
human powered recumbent bike most of the time and sold the motorcycle. I
only use the electric assisted trike when its bad weather , when I'm sick,
tired or in a rush. It's really just a frickin car ! A micro 200 to 400 watt
car, but still a car.

Anything other then human power is a compromise. The less energy that it
uses, the better it is. I do not like any vehicle that does not have the
human power input option. Only buy vehicles that have pedals or hand cranks.

Ross

>Hi, everyone! First I want to say how wonderful this group hasbeen; I have
found it very supportive and I don't feel so alone inthis world since I
don't have a car and actually don't like drivingmuch.Even if I did like
driving and managed to overcome my anxieties and pass the road test ,
however, there is no way that I couldafford a car at this point. I have
been looking at other ways toget around. The dilemma I have is this: do any
of you haveexperience with those electric mini-scooters (like the Zappy
Permalink | Reply | 4 comments |
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Bill Volk | 4 Jun 2000 21:50

RE: A commuting question

In regards to the Zappy...

>Hi, everyone! First I want to say how wonderful this group hasbeen; I have
found it very supportive and I don't feel so alone inthis world since I
don't have a car and actually don't like drivingmuch.Even if I did like
driving and managed to overcome my anxieties and pass the road test ,
however, there is no way that I couldafford a car at this point. I have
been looking at other ways toget around. The dilemma I have is this: do any
of you haveexperience with those electric mini-scooters (like the Zappy..)
--------
It's actually more efficient than many bike-assists (including Zap's!). It
uses a cog-belt drive and has pneumatic tires. It's well built and tough.
However, like most electrics the published range is wishfull thinking.

I agree that a HPV is more desriable. However if someone can't ride, or
needs to be in street clothes, I would find the Zappy a more pleasent
roadside companion than the SUV's that seem to be so popular.

Interesting possibility would be to use the Zappy as a to/from Amtrak
vehicle. There's AC 110v on board some of the trains in California, and I
think the Zappy might just make it from the train to my house ... with a bit
of walking up the hill.

But I'd rather ride a HPV ... so I'll probabilly use my ZOX 20" FWD fork and
build a folding recumbent that can be ridden easily in street clothes.
Something like the Bevo Bike.

Bill
(Continue reading)

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jym | 4 Jun 2000 22:37
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Re: A commuting question

> I would find the Zappy a more pleasent roadside companion
> than the SUV's that seem to be so popular.

=v= Unfortunately, it could also be a bike lane-side companion.
In California, at least, anything with handlebars and an
electric motor can use bike facilities. Why? Because it's
considered as ecologically sound as a bicycle because it
"doesn't pollute." (Apparently the pollution made to charge
the motor doesn't exist.)

=v= On the other hand, here in San Francisco, you're just as
likely to find an SUV in your bike lane, and I would indeed much
prefer a Zappy.
<_Jym_≥
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Bill Volk | 4 Jun 2000 23:31

RE: A commuting question

Jym wrote:

> I would find the Zappy a more pleasent roadside companion
> than the SUV's that seem to be so popular.

=v= Unfortunately, it could also be a bike lane-side companion.
In California, at least, anything with handlebars and an
electric motor can use bike facilities. Why? Because it's
considered as ecologically sound as a bicycle because it
"doesn't pollute." (Apparently the pollution made to charge
the motor doesn't exist .
-----------
Yes, I've seen the eBikes on the paths in Los Angeles. I tend not to ride
paths anyway. In San Diego the hills pretty much filter out the eBikes and
Zappys. I can't imagine that you could get up Torry Pines or Birningham
Road even on a full charge.

Bill
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Peter Saint James | 5 Jun 2000 04:45
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RE: A commuting question


>-----------
>Yes, I've seen the eBikes on the paths in Los Angeles. 

My experience is that this is very dangerous. 

The paths are dangerous anyway, but people ride motor assisted bikes
with a different mindset and a lower level of alertness. Their bodies are
functioning differently, so they cannot respond to conditions as quickly.
It almost as if they have to wake up first and then respond, whereas a
person using their own power to make the bike go is already somewhat awake
just from the exertion.

When the moped craze first hit, people would ride them on bike paths
and would be constantly hitting things--mostly other people.
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L Danish | 5 Jun 2000 04:59

Re: A commuting question

> haveexperience with those electric mini-scooters (like the Zappy

i wondered the same thing. It looks to me (without having any first-hand
knowledge of an electric scooter, mind you) that their weight, speed,
convenience, etc ... are all stacked against them. A much better solution
would be one of those nifty folding little foot-powered scooter ("razor" is
one brand) for up to a couple of miles -- combine with bus/train for
further.
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David Hansen | 5 Jun 2000 12:32
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RE: A commuting question

On 4 Jun 00, at 12:50, Bill Volk wrote:

> I agree that a HPV is more desriable. However if someone can't ride,
> or needs to be in street clothes, I would find the Zappy a more
> pleasent roadside companion than the SUV's that seem to be so popular.

Agreed. Electric bikes are also particularly useful for those with a 
heavy load to pull in a trailer and those who are preganant, as well 
as those unable to pedal/pedal a long distance/pedal strongly. The 
way to minimise car use is not to assume everyone is a lycra clad 
fitness fanatic.

David Hansen | davidh@... | PGP email preferred
Edinburgh | CI$ number 100024,3247 | key number F566DA0E
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