MB in the news

Snork Fair. (spit coffee laughing)

__________________
Normalcy ain't what it used to be.

I was P/O when I did that ....I had just got home from work and had just got into a argument with one of those great Tucson driver's! I'm still P/O i'm getting mad just thinking about it.

I hate it when a driver does something wrong and instead of saying "sorrry" or " I did not see you" which is clearly what happened. They try to make it your fault. Allright I'm getting P/O so I'll just forget about it.

Anyway's, I'm going to forget about that post but it is true. I've messed with my bike at work and can get it to pass almost everywhere. Except CA, I still don't know what the stander's are, I can't find them. My co-worker does have a cat on his and I know before I said it was B S. But I do have to admit that it does run a little cleaner with the cat.

Oh well, it's not good to post and be angry....just like posting and drinking don't mix with me either...I think there is a bunch of silly joke's around here somewhere

Engine gives boost to custom bikes

Kurt Sahlmann just filled up his gas tank for less than 50 cents. But he wasn't pouring money into a car.

He was fueling up his bike.

Sahlmann's new "custom comfort hybrid bike" is equipped with a multipurpose four-stroke engine and a special clutch system mounted on the rear tire. The system allows him to travel up to 23 mph.

"This is designed for around town," Sahlmann said.

The bike can start at the tug of a cord. The rider can dictate the desired speed with a hand control on the handlebar.


"You can work as hard as you want," said Sahlmann, 47. The rider can either pedal more, or use the engine more, he said.

"It's what they call 'an assist,'" the Erie resident said.

The engine size is small enough -- the displacement is less than 50 cubic centimeters -- that the pedal-assisted motorized vehicle does not have to be registered and insured, Sahlmann said. The bike has mountain-bike-like tires, fenders and a basket on the front of the bike, with battery-powered lights.

Although the gas tank costs very little to fill up, it holds only about an eighth of a gallon. This makes fill-ups more numerous, possibly every two or three days, Sahlmann said.

He said he plans to create a fleet of 10 bikes and possibly rent them to college students and other residents in the downtown area. Sahlmann said he plans on using local retailers to help build the bikes, and hopes to find a company to build a specific engine for the customized bike.

In addition to the two-wheel bike, plans for a three-wheel, motor-assisted custom model are already in the works, Sahlmann said, adding that the three-wheelers would be available in electric and gas models.

Sahlmann also plans to sell these get-around modes of transportation for $1,300 for the K-model, the gasoline model, and $2,600 for the S-model, which uses electricity.

The S-model has a quieter, electric motor mounted on the front wheel of the bike, and the motor recharges when the bike is coasting, he said.

Getting back in shape is another reason Sahlmann said the bike was a good idea. For those who aren't in healthy enough condition to pedal the entire time they are riding, the motor would be a great help.

"It's a neat alternative to get back into exercising," he said.

Sahlmann, a Millcreek Township native and McDowell High School graduate, has had the idea for some time, but said this style of bike has been done before.

And he isn't the only one trying to turn people on to motor-assisted bikes.

Gary Foor, owner of A.R. Adams Schwinn Bicycles, 5651 Peach St., has worked in the bike shop for more than 31 years. He said he has seen an increase of interest in the bikes, and said he believes that people are looking for a cheaper alternative to a gas-guzzling vehicle.

KATIE SULLIVAN can be reached at 870-1880 or by e-mail.

To learn more about Kurt Sahlmann's engine-assisted bikes, send e-mail to thousandfrench@hotmail.com or call 323-2743.

Attached Thumbnails

 

E-bike owners angered over ban

E-bike owners angered over ban
KATE DWYER
9/07/2008 10:25:00 AM
INDEPENDENCE will attract a hefty fine for people riding e-bikes.
The NSW Supreme Court upheld a magistrate’s ruling banning the electric bikes on roads and footpaths.

The move has angered Ted Monkley of North Haven who used his e-bike as an independent mobility tool.

He doesn’t understand why only his model of electric bike was banned and not other similar vehicles.

“When I bought the bike I was presented with a brochure from the RTA (Road and Traffic Authority) saying that it was legal to use on the road,” Mr Monkely said.

“If my wife has the car then I’m not stuck here, I can go up to the shops or get prawns at the co-op, visit friends, just get out. Walking is not an option with my injured leg. When I got the bike it felt different to be able to get out and I always followed the road rules, keeping to the left. I felt like I was 17 again. Before I got the bike I was sitting around doing nothing.”

The RTA website states, under Registration of motorised scooters, mini bikes and other motorised devices, “Motor assisted pedal cycles with electric or petrol engines are exempt from registration, provided the maximum engine output power does not exceed 200 watts. These vehicles must have been designed as a bicycle - that is, to be propelled by human power, with the motor attached as a supplementary aid only. Riders must follow the same road rules as for pedal cycles without motors, including wearing a helmet. Motorised wheelchairs and other types of disabled persons’ conveyances are exempt from registration and operators of these vehicles must comply with the same road rules as pedestrians.”

While the e-bike has a 200 watt engine the Supreme Court ruled that the vehicles were unregistered registerable vehicles because they are not motor-assisted bikes but pedal assisted motor bikes.

The RTA website also states that some powered devices on the market sold as motor-assisted bicycles actually fall outside of the strict definition.

“People need to be aware of the laws as anyone caught riding a vehicle which is not exempt and is not registered, may be fined and have their vehicle confiscated by police.”

Mr Monkley said if the bikes didn’t meet safety standards or were not able to be used fully then “why were they allowed into the country?”

“These are no more dangerous than gophers,” Mr Monkley said.

“It gave me independence, that’s what hurts [about the ruling]. Thousands of people die in motor vehicle accidents and they’re not banning the motor car.”

Mr Monkley said he has written to both local state (Rob Oakeshott) and federal (Mark Vaile) representatives about the ruling.

Gary Clarke, proprietor of Koala T Care Laurieton, sold the e-bikes as part of his business and also contacted Rob Oakeshott’s office for clarification.

“His office said they have been inundated with letters about this and encouraged people to keep writing,” Mr Clarke said.

“We’ve been inundated with phone calls from people wanting to know what’s going on.

“The importer has spent tens of thousands of dollars in court but can’t continue and has said he won’t be importing any more into the country, effectively closing his doors.

“Before we bought the business Rob Oakeshott raised the issue in parliament wanting clarification by the police on their interpretation of the laws surrounding e-bikes. I believe the parliament passed the bikes as legal because they have a 200w engine with pedals. It’s amazing that now they’ve banned e-bikes but other bikes with motors, used in the same way, are still legal.”

In May 2007 Mr Oakeshott said he’d heard people were fined for using their e-bikes and another who was awarded $4200 in damages following an e-bike fine.

“Countries such as Canada and Switzerland actually provide incentives to purchase and use e-bikes, however there seems to be a reluctance to encourage increased use of these bikes throughout our region,” Mr Oakeshott said in 2007.

“If we are to encourage the introduction of e-bikes onto our roads, I want to be confident in the support of police in following the law as it reads, and for them to have the same interpretation of the law as those who are both selling and using these bikes. Otherwise we have a problem and obvious conflict on our roads.”

Mr Clarke echoed Mr Oakeshott’s statements about the bikes being a popular choice overseas.

“What amazes me is that the Prime Minister is talking about hybrid cars and the high cost of petrol and these (e-bikes) would be an ideal alternative.

“The bikes have been very popular with people that are sick of the high cost of petrol and who are environmentally conscious. The ruling is a shame, people were very happy with them.”

Mr Clarke said his business was lucky not to be left out of pocket as they had no e-bikes in stock when the ruling was handed down.

He said he was aware of people looking to set up an action group to have the ruling overturned and could provide contact information to anyone interested.

MB users save gas,money

By AMANDA CROWE Hobbs News-Sun
Article Launched: 07/09/2008 02:07:22 AM MDT


HOBBS, N.M.—Cruising down the street with the speedometer at 35 mph, Jimmie Marshall shows off his orange Harley Davidson-labeled motorized bicycle.
But don't think motorcycle—like a traditional Hog. When Marshall shows off and promotes motorized bicycles, he means just that—a bicycle with a motor attached.

Marshall, who has been attaching motors to bicycles since 1979, likes the benefits of owning a motorized bicycle, especially now with gas passing $4 a gallon.

"I never drive my pickup throughout the week unless I have to go to Home Depot or carry somebody with me. There is no telling how much I save," Marshall said.

For about six months, Marshall of Hobbs has been the owner of Kay and Kompany Electric where he assembles and sells motorized bicycles.

"I take brand new bikes and assemble my motor-assisted bikes," Marshall said. "It is my first love."

But what is the point of a motor assisted bike when you can just pedal? The motors are used to assist with pedaling, and with this summer's high temperatures, it can be nice not to pedal as much, all the while getting to your destination faster at less cost.

However, Marshall does not advertise for speed.

E-bikes add zip to the streets

For Bloor West residents tired of high gas prices and overcrowded TTC buses, there’s a new way to get around Toronto.

Just stroll into the Daymak store on Bloor St. near Dundas St. and check out the variety of electrically assisted bikes (E-bikes) for sale.

Daymak has been selling E-bikes in the Bloor West area for nine months and according to manager Chavis Brown, business has been brisk.

“This has been great, we just can’t keep them,” Brown said. “People take preorders right now just till we can get more.”

While Daymak does advertise, many new customers are drawn to the store by word-of-mouth after talking to E-bike riders on the street, Brown said. He sees a wide variety of clientele coming into the store with different transportation needs.

“Some people like it for leisure because the ride’s nice and it’s a fun little thing to get around town on,” Brown said. “Some people want them to go to work. Some people just to do everyday things like grocery shopping.”

E-bikes look similar to motor scooters or regular bicycles and can travel up to 35 km/hr. They range in price from $700-2,400 and are powered using either lead acid batteries which can be charged 300 times or lighter, more expensive lithium batteries that can be recharged up to 800 times. Charging takes up to eight hours and will power the bike for between 60-100 kilometres.

Currently, E-bikes are treated as regular bicycles so riders do not require a driver’s licence or insurance to operate. However, you must be at least 16-years-old to drive one and everyone, including adults, must wear a helmet.

While the E-bike won’t answer all of Toronto’s transportation needs, Brown points to the many environmental benefits the E-bike brings to the community including no harmful emissions and no noise.

But you will need a valid driver’s licence and credit card if you’re interested in taking an E-bike for a test ride.

“It’s very enjoyable. When they come back it’s a done deal,” he said. “People realize how nice it is.”

Thunder Bay, Canada does three year pilot project on Motor assisted bicycles

Head out on the highway , on an electric bicycle
TB News Source
Web Posted: 7/16/2008 8:12:20 PM
Head out on the highway , on an electric bicycle


With more and more people becoming conscious of their carbon footprint and not to mention the high cost of gasoline, a new method of transportation is starting to pop up around Thunder Bay.

Electric bicycles or e-bikes are starting to hit city roadways and for now, the province is allowing them to be used anywhere bicycles can be used as part of a three-year pilot project.

An Afortek 450 is not just a pedal bicycle. The power assisted electric bike available locally from Afortek Inc., can travel up to 32 kilometres per hour, run lights, signals and a horn - all because of a 450-watt electric motor. Business co-owner Lindsey Beaulne says they're fun to ride and easy to operate and she feels electric vehicles are the way of the future. She is certain that these fancy little e-bikes are just the start of what's to come and with just one turn of the throttle, this bike provides a peaceful and quiet ride.

Beaulne says they're trying to be more energy independent and more self sufficient and that is where these e-bikes fit right in, with the solar water systems they offer...and biomass pellets and solar chargers that they're working on.

Her company started selling the bikes that retail for about $1,500 this year and have sold 12 so far. They are recharged through a regular outlet, and can run between 45-60 kilometres on a charge and riders can pedal the device like a regular bicycle if the mood strikes them.

The province of Ontario began a three-year pilot project in Oct. 2006 to evaluate the use of power assisted bicycles on roads and highways where conventional bicycles are currently allowed. The pilot is open to all Ontarians,16 years of age and older and the e-bikes must follow the same rules of the road that apply to cyclists. Operators must wear an approved bicycle helmet at all times but an electric bike needs no driver's licence, no written road test, no vehicle registration, no plate and no liability insurance. It also needs no gas. An e-bike bears a permanent manufacturer's label saying it conforms to the federal definition of a power-assisted bicycle.

The intent of the government pilot project was to allow e-bikes that look and operate like conventional bikes in order to promote an eco-friendly alternative to current transportation modes. But the ministry may have to reassess the original intent of the pilot program as more scooter-style vehicles are emerging that technically meet the pilot's e-bike definition, but not the intent, because they are not primarily operated by muscular power due to their heavy weight.

Warning to E-bike riders
Laurieton New South Wales Australia

Warning to e-bike riders
23/07/2008 10:24:00 AM
POLICE will issue an official warning to e-bike riders found using their vehicles on roadways.
In the wake of the NSW Supreme Court’s decision to ban the motorised, pedal assisted bikes Mid North Coast traffic supervisor Sergeant John Carrero said police would offer a warning to first time offenders before issuing the hefty infringement notice.

“People who have purchased e-bikes are, unfortunately, victims of circumstance,” Sgt Carrero said.

“It was only until the vehicles became popular and ridden on roads that it all came to a head.

“To us the bikes never fit the criteria of safety. It’s not a bike, it’s a motor vehicle and it does not comply with the Australian Road Rules. It was up to the importer to ensure the manufacturer complied with our standards before importing and selling. There is no compliance plate so it can’t be registered.

“In countries where they come from they are ridden in traffic different to Australia. In other countries and cities the bikes are ridden alongside similar vehicles and the occasional car. In Australia they are being ridden with cars and trucks going past.”

Sgt Carrero said despite being fitted with bicycle pedals, the e-bike was intended to be used like a motor bike. The pedals are situated behind the feet and this combined with the sheer weight of the bike would make it a serious challenge for people to ride without the motor.

“If you took off the motor, it would be very difficult for people to ride,” he said.

“Other bikes with electric motors fitted are designed to be propelled by human power. E bikes are not.

“We are sympathetic to people who bought these bikes in good faith and were ill-advised.

“We’ve decided, in order to educate people of the decision to ban the bikes from the roadways and footpaths, to issue a warning to anyone we see riding an e-bike and if they are stopped a second time we will issue an infringement.”

Sgt Carrero said the fine could be up to $900.

“Because it’s now classified as a motor vehicle, while unregisterable, it comes under the same laws as cars and motor bikes.”

Helmets and E-Bikes...Canoe, Canada

My wife loves her e-bike
But if you buy one of these money-savers, get a helmet -and wear it
Posted 5 hours ago


I was reading a story in the paper in May about a person who bought an electric scooter to save money on gas. The idea intrigued me so much that I did some research on the topic. I discovered that the price of these electric scooters could be quite high - somewhere in the $1,200 to $2,500 range.

I told my wife that I was considering purchasing a scooter for her to use on her four-kilometre daily commute. Her concerns were twofold: It seemed like a lot of money to spend for such a short trip, and she didn't want the vehicle to be left outside in the yard where it could be tampered with.

When I googled the subject, I found an inexpensive e-bike on sale at a local chain store. It was essentially a folding bicycle with an electric motor on the rear wheel that would assist the person pedaling. Because it was so small, my wife would be able to bring the bicycle indoors, where it would be safer and protected from the elements. It was much less expensive than the electric scooter -it retailed for only $599. And because it was a bicycle, it qualified for the PST tax exemption.

So I bought an e-bike for my wife. And she loves it. She had not been on a bike for years because she did not want to arrive at work tired and sweaty. Now she gets to work without effort.

The e-bike is a real attention-getter. Every day people ask her about it, how it works and whether she enjoys it. Although the battery gives the motor only about a 20-kilometre range, it's just fine for the short trips she makes. She coasts downhill, pedals the bike on flat areas and gentle slopes, and uses the electric motor to go up steep hills, which she can manage at 22 kilometres an hour or more without breaking a sweat. That's fast enough to keep up with me on a regular bike.

Now the whole family can go for a ride. If you are just making short trips and would like to save a lot of money on gas, consider purchasing an e-bike.

But it's important to know Ontario legislation regarding the e-bike before a purchase is made. The e-bike can be operated on Ontario roads under a special three-year pilot test program. After the three-year period, the government will determine if the e-bike will still be allowed on the province's roads. Fines for improper operation of an e-bike are the same as for bicycles, with some additional requirements due to the fact that it is an assisted vehicle.

The Ministry of Transportation defines the e-bike as a bicycle with an added battery-powered electric motor that does not exceed 500 watts and that can assist the cyclist up to a speed of 32 km/h. It can also be driven like a bicycle without any power assist. The addition of the power assist enables the rider to pedal with less effort, to go a greater distance and to climb hills and ride against the wind more easily. In its size, weight, speed and the driving skills required, the e-bike is similar to the conventional bicycle. It must bear a Transport Canada label indicating it is a "power-assisted bicycle."

E-bikes require the same safety equipment as bicycles under the Highway Traffic Act. That is, proper lights, proper brakes and a proper bell. E-bikes cannot be operated by anyone under the age of 16. And everyone operating an e-bike is required to wear an approved bicycle helmet. There are no age exemptions.

This information comes directly from the Ministry of Transportation website and is a summary of information from Ontario Regulation 473/06, made under the Highway Traffic Act.

Except for my wife, virtually everybody I have seen on an e-bike (and I am seeing more people on e-bikes every day) has been riding without a helmet. When I told e-bike riders that they could be fined up to $2,500 for not wearing a helmet, these are some of the answers I got:


I don't believe it."

* "Mine is not an e-bike -it's made by a different manufacturer."

* "I am over 18 so I do not need one."

* "They did not tell me I needed a helmet when I bought it."

* "I haven't been stopped by police yet. In fact, a policeman saw me on this bike without a helmet and he drove away."

* "I asked a cop and he said I didn't need one."

* "I don't want to ruin my hair."

* "I don't have the money to buy a helmet."

I checked with retailers and there seems to be confusion about the issue. Some believe that helmets are required if the operator is under 18. Some believe helmets are required for e-bikes and bicycles regardless of the operator's age. Some retailers are aware that the law requires helmets for riders of all ages on e-bikes and advise the customers as such, and some retailers will not allow the customer to take an e-bike out of the store unless the customer already owns an approved helmet, or purchases one.

The position of the local police seems to be a bit vague. I contacted Kingston Police's general inquiry number, so I do not have an official response. The response I got was that if it is an Ontario law, then people should obey it. And enforcement depends on the individual police officer. Some may issue a fine while others may look away.

Perhaps this is such a new vehicle on the road that it may not have caught the attention of police. I don't know. I would be interested to know if anyone has been issued a fine for riding an e-bike without a helmet. I assume that sooner or later the police will notice all of these unusual bikes on the road, take notice and start issuing fines to riders not wearing helmets.

So if you are thinking of buying an e-bike to save money, it's a great idea, unless you decide to break the law and ride the e-bike without a helmet. If you do that, you risk being fined from $250 to $2,500, offsetting any gas savings you may hope to achieve.

David Dossett Kingston

Article ID# 1127559

The Wall Street Journal

Bicycle-Moped Has
Old-Fashioned Charm
– and Shortcomings
By JONATHAN WELSH
August 4, 2008

One look at the distinct shape of a Velosolex conjures flashbacks.

For some it's to postwar Paris, where the motorized bikes made getting around cheap, easy and chic. Robert Redford braved New York traffic on one in 1975's "Three Days of the Condor." And wasn't that Steve McQueen astride a Velo on the set of his auto-racing movie "Le Mans?"


WSJ's Jonathan Welsh reviews the Velosolex motorized bicycle. Watch as he rides around New York City to see just how good of an alternative it is to motorcycles and scooters in an urban setting. (Aug. 4)
For me, the French machine's buzzing two-stroke engine and the smell of its oil-spiked exhaust recall 1980, the year the moped craze hit my New Jersey town. As a bicycle purist I disdained the noisy newcomers -- until my friend Jill got one. Her blue Bianchi wasn't the slickest model but she made it seem infinitely more appealing than the racy Peugeots, Garellis and Motobecanes my buddies were riding.

Today the Velosolex's appeal derives more from economy and practicality than teenage hormones. Its tiny engine uses fuel so sparingly that some riders report traveling 150-200 miles per gallon. I rode one for several weeks without filling up the liter-size tank of fuel. With gasoline topping $4 a gallon, this spindly bike that may have seemed geeky a few years ago suddenly warrants another look.

Importer Velosolex America LLC (Velosolex America - Home) is pitching the $1,795 bike as a less-expensive alternative to motor scooters from Vespa, Yamaha, Honda and others that cost between $2,000 and $5,000. While scooters are closely related to motorcycles, the simple Velosolex is a bicycle with an engine attached above the front wheel. The engine drives a spool that rotates the tire to move forward. A lever allows the rider to disengage the engine and pedal the Velo like any other bicycle. But the Velosolex's 68-pound weight means it gets tiring quickly.

Starting off is easy. Roll the bike off its stand, get on and start pedaling while holding the "decompressor" lever with the left thumb. Once rolling, release the lever and the engine pops to life. On cool mornings you may have to use the choke. The bike needs a little help to get moving, so pedaling a few strokes while twisting the throttle boosts acceleration (just like on a moped).

Full speed is between 15 mph and 20 mph, depending on the road. This bike likes smooth, level streets and downhill runs boost speed to more than 20 mph and make the engine scream. While ascending anything but a slight incline, though, you'll hear the distinct whine of the engine losing speed and eventually you'll have to pedal to keep moving. The tiny 49 cubic centimeter motor only puts out 0.80 horsepower.


Velosolex America
Velosolex S4800
The test bike felt small, and though its seat height was adjustable it didn't go high enough for me to pedal comfortably. Reflected in a bank's large windows and I looked like I might be riding a child's bike. Still, there's something cool about the Velosolex, particularly the vintage look. The relaxed riding posture conveys a sense of effortlessness. The little bike's slenderness and maneuverability often make it quicker around town than a car, plus you get the feeling of the wind in your face. Basic black is the standard color, which I think looks best. Blue, orange or yellow cost an extra $100 and custom colors are $200.

I still love bicycles and at first thought the Velosolex couldn't top the cool factor of my brown 1960s Schwinn Suburban. The Schwinn fits me better, looks great and emits fewer squeaks and rattles. But it can't keep up with the Velo and even gentle pedaling generates more sweat than is acceptable for work or social engagements. Cruising on the French bike produces enough of a breeze for comfort even on hot days. In thick urban traffic I found it easier to maneuver than typical scooters, thanks to its light weight.

This motorbike isn't for everyone, though. While reasonably comfortable and simple to ride, it is also crude, from its heavy stamped-steel frame to squeaky drum brakes that require a hard squeeze. Although the metal center stand folds out of the way, it scrapes loudly on the pavement when the rider is leaning into tight, fast turns.

Advanced technology is conspicuously absent. Its two-stroke engine burns a mix of gasoline and oil and is a throwback to middle of the last century. But once you get used to it, the Velosolex can make more sense than a scooter. It also seems less fussy. There's no key, no gauges and the controls are straightforward.

While the Velosolex is old-fashioned, mechanically inclined riders who want something different will probably find it endearingly, perhaps irresistibly out of date.

Write to Jonathan Welsh at jonathan.welsh@wsj.com