E Bikes May Be Quick Fix

The article I found in the Business section of the New York Times brings to light a recent biking phenomenon that actually has taken years to enter the US due to popular criticisms. The E Bike, or essentially a half battery powered half human powered bicycle is beginning to be seen more and more across the country.

The bike, whose idea took off in other parts of the world years ago now is starting to catch on with the American public. Whereas the original model seemed bulky, didn't get many miles, and "encouraged laziness", the new model shown off at the Las Vegas technology convention was met with praise. People are beginning to understand that with gas prices back on the rise and the looming effort to go green, a little bit of battery power could be sacrificed in order to get people to ride for a purpose, not just leisure. The bike specifically only encourages people to use the energy carried on the frame to cover terrain that might be difficult for the average American to ride over, such as steep inclines.

It will be interesting to note whether this bike begins to play a bigger role in terms of fulfilling the green epidemic and ideally replacing a handful of other motorized vehicles. People may complain that it is a hefty price for a bike (anywhere in the range of $500-$2500), but it sure beats buying a new car. The E Bike still hasn't captired everyone's attention across the globe, but it is making its presence more known and that is an important feat at this point.