Stealing electricity?

GoldenMotor.com

motorbiker

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Mar 22, 2008
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Tampa Bay Florida
I don't own an electric, I am just trying to understand the electric crowds thinking on this. I am gussing things are that bad in Florida, the one who got me to thinking about this is from there.
Have you ever felt the instant, silent, smooth power of an electric bicycle motor ? :)

The high performance tire smokin hot rod wheelie pullin instant speed rush ? :)

That or weedwacker performance ? :)

Hello ? :)
 
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TxBikeRider

New Member
Aug 7, 2010
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Texas
Have you ever felt the instant, silent, smooth power of an electric bicycle motor ? :)

The high performance tire smokin hot rod wheelie pullin instant speed rush ? :)

That or weedwacker performance ? :)

Hello ? :)
Now, this is about stealing electricity. When I want to understand why electric riders always take a thread off topic by selling their bikes, I will start another thread.
 

Mike B

New Member
Mar 23, 2011
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Central CA
I will hazard a guess that if you went to your boss and said you were considering an electric bike to get to work to reduce cost, improve the environment and always get to work on time because you could ride right by the wrecks and congestion on the road and that for this to work you would need to charge your battery at a cost of 5 cents a day, he would be impressesd.

He might even give you a promotion and put you in charge of the brand new company "Alternative Transportation" program.
 

jburr36

Member
Jul 17, 2008
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Idaho
The issue is that in most places there are no commercial charging stations for e-bikes and e-vehicles so what are their options when they are driving around town and the battery dies in an unfamiliar area. Options can get limited.
 

motorbiker

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Mar 22, 2008
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Tampa Bay Florida
The issue is that in most places there are no commercial charging stations for e-bikes and e-vehicles so what are their options when they are driving around town and the battery dies in an unfamiliar area. Options can get limited.
To be clear, that's why they have pedals ?

What are you drivin around doing ?

Planned trips maybe ? Not ? :)
 

motorbiker

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Mar 22, 2008
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Tampa Bay Florida
All the nice bicycle shops in Tampa sell the pricey new ebikes.

I wonder if they have free charging ?

I think that would be a good idea to get people to stop by.

McDonald's too !

They have free wifi, why not free ebike charging ! :)
 

Goat Herder

Gutter Rider
Apr 28, 2008
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N.M.
China has the biggest hydroelectric Damn in the world. It puts out more juice than anything of its kind or or likeness.
 

jburr36

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Jul 17, 2008
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Idaho
To be clear, that's why they have pedals ?

What are you drivin around doing ?

Planned trips maybe ? Not ? :)
I like to go into the hills to camp, fish, and sluece for gold in the rivers. My gas bike serves my purposes well and carrying extra gas is much lighter than carrying extra batteries. Also borrowing gas out in the boondocks is easier than charging a battery. But I digress. This thread is about stealing electricity because of the lack of commercial charging stations.
 

happyvalley

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Jul 24, 2008
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upper Pioneer Valley
This thread is about stealing electricity because of the lack of commercial charging stations.
It's kinda a loaded question isn't it, lol? Stealing is bad so ebikes are bad.

To place the question in a usable context ultimately the issue is usage.
Many people who ride power assist bikes, regardless of the fuel, do so within very limited range. If I had to guess I'd say 10 miles or less per outing would suffice for most. The majority of people I know with gas bikes don't ride them far, even with an engine the time they are comfortable on a bicycle seat is limited.
 

TxBikeRider

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Aug 7, 2010
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Texas
It's kinda a loaded question isn't it, lol? Stealing is bad so ebikes are bad.

To place the question in a usable context ultimately the issue is usage.
Many people who ride power assist bikes, regardless of the fuel, do so within very limited range. If I had to guess I'd say 10 miles or less per outing would suffice for most. The majority of people I know with gas bikes don't ride them far, even with an engine the time they are comfortable on a bicycle seat is limited.
I don't feel that it is loaded at all.....when I constantly hear about how great they are and that you can charge them anywhere.....That makes me wonder. If they are so great....why even have the need to steal electricity to charge them.

I like e bikes, and I am going to build one for my wife.....but to hear how bad gas bikes are constantly and how ebikes are great......I don't hear any balance. It is not a one or the other world. You can enjoy both.

But dont sell it as charge anywhere....when you would have to steal to do that. (NOTE: Not directed at you personaly happy.....using the word you genericaly)
 

happyvalley

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Jul 24, 2008
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upper Pioneer Valley
Good enough and I think I know what you're driving at. I don't have an ebike, nor an agenda other than what makes sense for my situation and wallet, lol.
I like e bikes, and I am going to build one for my wife.....but to hear how bad gas bikes are constantly and how ebikes are great......I don't hear any balance. It is not a one or the other world. You can enjoy both.
Yeah, me too, so I follow ebike advances. I guess the thing is to keep your own counsel, what makes sense for you and ignore the chatter, lol. Like my best friend used to say "In life there are trade offs, the trick is getting what's right for you at any particular time and place."
 

rustycase

Gutter Rider
May 26, 2011
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Left coast
Sure it's theft, if you take something belonging to someone else without their permission.

Simple solution... ask!

If you intend to go across town, or into town, call and ask if you may 'charge your pack' while you visit with them.

Stop at mickey D's?
Same thing... ask if you can plug in your pack.
If they reply in the negative, perhaps you are better off going down the street to 'Scrubby & Lloyd's Greasey Spoon' where they will probably sell you a better meal and might just allow you to plug in your pack, also.

Our libraries here are all beginning to cater to folks with laptops, or at least make provision for them. I see nothing wrong with plugging in your backpack.

Many of our parks have spiffy outdoor BBQ/picnic areas complete with GFCI outlets for the public. ...they are FOR the public...

It probably takes a bit more planning to venture out with an ebike, I guess.
...I might find out soon enough... just picked up a Razor E200 I will cannibalize to use on a MAB. Perhaps I should include a small petrol fueled generator plant onboard ??? Got two Champion generators out back with 6.5 HF engines on em ! :)

Good thread!
I hope it increases awareness.
rc
 

TxBikeRider

New Member
Aug 7, 2010
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Texas
Also....the last thing that I want to happen is that I finish the electric trike build and I do drive up to starbucks.....I dont want them looking at me saying "Here is another one thats going to buy a cup of coffee and sit for 3 hours while his bike charges".

I think its going to be my convience runner, but to go the distance and not worry about theft of services.....It will be gas.
 

TxBikeRider

New Member
Aug 7, 2010
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Texas
My last thoughts and you guys can run with it........

Does anyone else see a business oportunity here? Think of all the bus stations that have snow cone stands or hot dog stands near by.....what about a charging station. They drop off the battery and pedal the few blocks to work.....then pick it up on the way home.
 

rustycase

Gutter Rider
May 26, 2011
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Left coast
That's the 'last thing' Texas?

The last thing I'd want there would be a homely barista that was unfriendly, to boot!

But good thinking on the bus stop thingy...
I think cities should provide electrical taps for the green conscious travelling public at those bus stops. What's good for the people is good for the city!

As above, prosecuting transients for plugging in is NOT good for the public, OR the city.

Best
rc
 

Cabinfever1977

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Mar 23, 2009
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Upstate,NY
Almost anywhere you see a soda or vending machine outside has a outlet and a extra one too, but who would want to sit there for hours waiting on a charge.
 

happyvalley

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Jul 24, 2008
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upper Pioneer Valley
My thinking on ebikes is practical and not deterred by a worse case scenario. Sometimes discussions have a tad of under current going on that one will have to stop on the way to the Post Office to recharge these things, lol.

Many, many ebikes get 25 to 30 miles out of a charge, more if you pedal. How many guys ride 25 to 30 miles on their gas bike?

A friend has an ebike, and a fairly low priced entry level one.
He lives in a small city where everything is within a 5 mile radius, work shopping etc, and he averages 10 miles most days. He tells me he has never run the batt empty in 3 years. It works for him and his usage.
 

jburr36

Member
Jul 17, 2008
285
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Idaho
when I built my 1st gas powered bike I ran it an average of 60 miles per day. It's what it took to get me from one casino to the next. I rode it over 1000 miles within the 1st 3 months. some people do like to just go longer distances. there's no e-bike out there I would have felt comfortable with doing that. 1 minute to fill up my tank vs. 3 or more hours to charge a heavy bulky battery pack is a no brainer for me with my driving habits.