When younger, riding a bicycle was necessary to get to places that were too far to walk and for most of the time was an enjoyable way to get there. With age small hills strangely become big hills and many trusty steeds ( bikes ) languish in the shed due to too much effort required. Currently there is a huge interest in road cycling due to events like the Tour de France and the Australian Tour Down Under and these appeal mainly to fit younger ones as a sport involving a usually expensive machine and wearing a colourful lycra uniform. European cities where bikes are prevalent such as Amsterdam feature the “sit-up” cycle style being the bike we used to ride where the cycling is relaxed, sitting straight up without a bent spine and safer because your view is all around rather than restricted by bending forwards plus no clothing change is needed.
Bicycle SA in Adelaide provides free bikes and many global cities have or are planning to introduce free or really cheap hire of bikes to get around, ease traffic congestion and pollution plus promote healthy activity. Refer the Links below for cycling forums, news, purchase, etc. However, Technology is improving rapidly and the E-Bike, electric bicycle, is appearing in huge numbers on streets and bike-ways globally. They are light weight construction about 25kg and lithium batteries are now 36 volt 10 Ah providing a range up to 45km, a maximum speed of 28km/hr, are rechargeable about 800 times at a cost of about 10c per charge of 4 to 5 hours and rated at 250 watts which is effectively an extra person cycling for you. The battery is easily removed for charging or leave it in-situ.
E-Bikes generally use the pedelec, pedal electric assist, system but now popular is the added hand throttle if you want to take it real easy. The motor is very quiet. Folding E-Bikes will generally fit into the car allowing riding from wherever you park such as parklands into the city, trip to the beach for a coastal ride, Clare Reisling Trail, etc., in fact, anywhere a good safe cycle network exists and you are not sweaty when you arrive being a real plus. Folding E-Bikes are popular with persons using caravans or living in upstairs flats. Good alloy E-Bikes with lithium battery cost from $1000 up and steel with lead-acid much cheaper but those may not be a satisfactory option due to weight and battery life. Samsung, Panasonic or similar quality batteries are likely to give a good long performance and well worth the extra cost. A 250 watt E-Bike needs no registration in Australia, currently you must wear an approved helmet and it is a good idea to get a strong lock and chain.
My 20yo Diamond Back bike, above, is front hub drive plus a battery, Schwalbe puncture resistant tyres, comfort seat, centre stand, has a steel frame & is 21kg total.
I have just fitted a new technology XD dual speed Xiongda front hub motor to it.
Probably the best XD info is on Bruce Teakle’s website.
LINKS
Value-E-Bikes   Reef Bikes   Cumberland Cycles   Electric Bicycle Company
Bike Exchange   Gette   Adelaide Cyclists   Australian Cyclists   Situp Cycle
Auckland Cycle Chic   Cycle Instead   AEVA   Mic Chapman   EM3ev
Bruce Teakle     Electric Bikes Superstore