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Electricscooter.us.com News...

June 2007, Caravan, Motorhome & Camping Mart,

Power to the people

Mike Thomson seeks out this summer’s must-have accessories and finds himself energised by a whole battery of electric bicycles.

You might have been inclined to think that by the time you're old enough to need an electric bike, you're possibly too old to be let out on your own with a bike in the first place. Not so, according to John Hyder, General Manager and Director of Electric Bikes Direct in Lancing. Since expanding his bicycle business from conventional and folding bikes into the electrically powered variety, John has encountered a wide range of customers from the very young to the very old. He points out that different bikes suit different people, and with his wide range of over twenty electric bikes he has something to suit everyone.

Perhaps you only need a helping hand to get you up a hill, or even when confronted by a stiff sea breeze on the promenade. If so, the Urban Mover range has been designed especially for you, with its up to date, Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMh) battery technology to help you on your way. So popular are these, that one especially desirable model (the UM36 - looking just like a mountain bike), was out of stock at the time of my visit. If on the other hand you really don't relish pedalling at all, consider a sealed lead-acid battery machine, such as the Bright Bike Fold E. There is a weight penalty to be incurred but it does have more torque.

Don’t worry if all this is a bit confusing and new to you, because John Hyder actively encourages his customers to ride their bikes before purchasing them. To this end, a convenient back door from the workshop opens onto a quiet parking area and a length of back lane that's just ideal for trying out the products. Under strictly controlled test conditions, spurning both motorcycle leathers and safety nets, I bravely rode three of John’s bikes, ranging from the cheapest to the dearest.

BRIGHT BIKE FOLD E Twist & Go folding electric bike

Starting at entry level is the ￡199 Fold E electric bike, complete with free bag worth ￡39.50 if you buy it from the shop. With its tiny 12" wheels and basket I confess to thinking it had a bit of an oldie look about it. "It's a shopping trolley", opined John. "They're great fun for whizzing around town. You get off the bike with a smile on your face!" This model is popular with the caravanning fraternity, because it folds up into a package that can be neatly accommodated in a shower cubicle - not while you're actually showering, obviously.

As no one knows me in Lancing, I volunteered to try it - in the interests of journalistic research. Twist the throttle with your right hand and off it goes, with surprisingly gratifying acceleration. The engine power, as in all electric bikes, is cut off when the brakes are applied. One 5-hour charge of its lead-acid battery will take you up to 15 miles in conjunction with pedalling, but rather less if you can't or won't embrace the healthy bit. Except for the incongruity of a fat old man on a little bike, the only penalty is the small wheels, which as with any bicycle will deliver a bumpy ride on any but the smoothest surfaces. But John was quite right: it is fun and you do come back with a smile on your face!

URBAN MOVER SPRITE UM44

The gent's version of the NiMh-powered UM44 hits the scales at 22kg and the bank account at ￡699. This offers two types of operation: you can twist the throttle and let the motor run on its own, providing a range of up to 10 miles or you can set it to pedal assist and enjoy up to 18 miles of helping hand. Going up and down through the six gears is simplicity itself: just press a button. However, I found no need to use the gears on the flat, because the moment you start to pedal you feel this invisible hand, gently but firmly pushing the bike, while you turn the pedals effortlessly. It may have arisen from the appliance of science, but its effect is pure magic and an undeniable delight. I could live with this and really enjoy it, but having just acquired an ordinary mountain bike, I suspect it is my wife who will shortly become the beneficiary of this particular form of magic carpet. This kind of technology doesn’t come cheap, but you might expect to spend ￡300 of that on a decent bicycle anyway. The personal indulgence component of the total price is therefore little more than that of the flat-screen television you might not think twice about buying for your motorhome.

A customer who had been a keen cyclist in her younger days tried the lady's version while I was there. How did she like the power assistance coming on when she started to pedal? "Oh, that was fun, that was lovely!"

SPARTA ION M GEAR GENTS ELECTRIC BIKE

You would hardly expect the Rolls Royce of electric bikes to originate from a country so flat you could calibrate spirit levels, but the Sparta is indeed from Holland. It also comes with a Rolls Royce price tag and will leave little change from ￡1,500. That is several times more costly than the old car which serves as a contrasting backdrop, but with its two-year warranty, perhaps more reliable.

It provides three modes of operation: ECO, for comfortable support at a constant cycling speed, NORMAL for extra help when you set off, and POWER to help you overcome the more discouraging aspects of gravity and airflow.

The torque applied by pedalling is measured in three different places and this means that you do actually have to pedal for the motor to work. On the flat just cruising along you hardly get any help at all, but when you need to speed up or tackle a hill, it gives you a helping hand (or should that be foot?) appropriately. I didn't encounter any hills on my brief test ride and thus missed out on the UM44’s more exhilarating peaks of acceleration. What was noticeable was that the Sparta was eerily silent and as would befit a Rolls, offered a very comfortable ride indeed. A quick glance at the full specification confirms that this "Bike of the year 2004" has just about everything you could possibly want, including, amongst other delights, an integrated battery pack, speedometer, lights (for which the motor acts as a dynamo if the battery is exhausted), anti-theft security and leak-proof tyres. Expensive, but guilty of neither auditory nor olfactory pollution around a campsite.

Mart's view

There comes a time to cast away Puritan prejudice about power assistance being just for wimps - every other road user benefits from an engine, after all. These three bikes clearly represented an exciting progression from the humble push-bike, whether you use it for leisure or as functional transport. The mid-price UM44 was the one that really caught my imagination, and I reckon I'll be back to get one for my wife. And if she chooses one that doesn't look too girlie, I might even be tempted to use it myself.

Web: www.electricscooter.us.com

March 2005, Motor Boat and Yachting magazine .

The Bright Bike GR-8 is nominated the " Gadget of the month "

16 February 2005, Kyoto becomes law.

The Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change has come into force as of today, eight years after it was first proposed, in a move that has been welcomed by environmental campaigners. The emissions-reducing programme has been adopted by more than 140 nations, including the UK.

Green group Friends of the Earth has outlined a series of recommendations to complement the Protocol, including better international co-operation led by the UK during 2005, and the ongoing call for the US to join the co-operation to some degree.

Friends of the Earth International's climate campaigner, Catherine Pearce, said "Kyoto is an important first step, but tougher international action is crucial to combat climate change. The world around us is changing in dramatic and life threatening ways. It's time to wake up to the threat before it's too late."

A recent scientific assessment (Meeting the Climate Challenge) warned that a catastrophic scenario could be reached in as little as a decade, if the current levels of global emissions continue.

Electricscooter.us.com Customer Feedback...

Mark P, Eastleigh.

Dahon Espresso ordered yesterday lunchtime — arrived before 12pm today.
What brilliant service — thanks very much!
Very impressed, would have no problem recommending you in future to anyone!

Thanks Again

Barry P, Costa del Sol.

Following your last message I rang Electricscooter.us.com on Tuesday and as the first UM36 had just arrived, I drove down the next morning for a test ride. After recently trying a Giant and being very disappointed with its pedal assist, I was interested in trying the UM36 with its accelerator. However I was so impressed with the VPAC that I gave up on the accelerator. After that impressive test ride I agreed to buy the bike. After a couple of days I can say I`m still very impressed with the bike.

Barbara D, France Hope you are well. I am having a wonderful time here in France riding on my electric trike. It really has been a life saver to me, I can't tell you what a difference it has made.

Andrew W, Exeter. Just to say many thanks for the extremely swift dispatch of the replacement wheel. It's now on and all is working well.- I do appreciate the top-notch.

Ryan E, Bucks. I just wanted to say thanks, my expectations are consistently surpassed by your friendly staff and fast delivery. I am very happy with my Dahon Vitesse I will wholeheartedly reccommend yourselves to anyone I know who is looking for your products. Susie M, Surrey. This is a belated note to say a big thank you for fixing my bike. I really appreciate it and the service has been exemplary. A very satisfied customer.

Barbara D, France.

Just wanted to drop you a line and say thank you so much for everything you did in getting the bike to me. I know it can't have been easy. Please say thank you to those at Lancing who also helped.I am so pleased with it I can't tell you how much.

Maureen C.

Can't praise Russell Everitt and his lady assistant highly enough.

Christopher C .

Thanks very much for the excellent service, bikes were very well packed and we are truly exited to have them. better than getting a new car really.

Ray L.

Thank you very much, excellent service.
Well done.

Philip E , Nelson Lancs.

I write to thank you for your helpful, courteous and efficient service. Thank you.

Alistair G ,

As I mentioned on the phone - the bike is better than I had hoped - it gets me out of the house, enables me to park (for free!) and ride and keeps me fit! What more could one ask?

Ms West, LondonThank you for all your help.
Thanks again for your friendly, professional service.Daniel S, CheltenhamThat Dahon is fantastic, what a difference it makes on the hills, it is perfect for an old man like me!

Down's Syndrome Association-Journal. Issue 107. Winter 2005.

Peter K, LancingMy wife is very pleased with the bike (GR-8), she rode her old bike for 1 day last week now she says never again and has sold it, just like your sales brochure says once ridden (forever smitten) that's my saying, so thanks a lot.Robert J, EccleshallThat GR-8 is bloody brilliant!Ronald M, CamberleyPanasonic going great guns at present.David F, Brighton .Very very pleased with the Panasonic I bought from you yesterday. I've cycled my longest work range of 15 or so miles and it's exactly what I want to help me up Brighton's hills.Michael G .Hi I have recently bought a FOLDe. It is brilliant!Colin S , RugbyThe 2 bikes were delivered this morning. I have assembled them and they work fine. Thank you for your prompt and friendly service. It was a pleasure to do business with you.Jane T , EpsomMy daughter took out the bike for the first time with the battery switched on. It was a HUGE sucess and she is delighted with it. I am so grateful for your sage advice and help.

Independant Panasonic Customer , London

Irene B , WorthingI just wanted to let you know that the Dahon is performing beyond my wildest dreams and has given me a new lease of life. I can recommend it to anyone with arthritic knees and after just over a week of using it on a daily basis I have better mobility and less pain.Mike B, GosportShould be called rocket bikes, what a fast service, thank you, really pleasedVenice S, AccringtonThis is really GREAT service!.John R , WickfordEXCELLENT!!!! fast delivery, fast and polite email response.Paul H, ScunthorpeOnce again thank you, your after care is equally as good as your bikes.Roy K, GrobyExtremely helpful, and recommend to anyone who needs an electric bikeCheryl N, SheffieldThanks again Russel for the Great customer service.Geoff W, GuildfordRussell, thanks for the bike - its great.Carol C, BounemouthVery helpful seller. pleasure doing businessGrant S, NottinghamshireThanks for everything, just perfect - ten out of ten Electricscooter.us.com Press Releases...23rd March 2005: Bikers knees get power boosted!Consultant Rheumatologist Dr Mike Irani has teamed up with a local businessman to help instil confidence in his patients and all with aid of pedal power...View full press release hereJune 2004: Pedals of honour. Motor Boat and Yachting Magazine. Page 103.

9th April 2004: Adding electricity to the formula . Surrey Advertiser Newspaper.

Research has found that 46% of conventional bikes are used only once or twice a week; with a further 30% being used once a fortnight or even less.By contrast, a recent survey of electric bicycle owners reveals that a third ride their bike at least once a day and 81% use the bike at least once a week.Because riding an electric bike is so much more enjoyable in hilly country, into strong winds, or when carrying heavy loads, users tend to make better use of them. The motor provides up to half the effort, but more regular use means more exercise for the rider.16th February 2004: ‘Livingstone aims to double London Congestion zone’Independent
A year after the congestion-charging zone in London was established, Ken Livingstone is to start a process aimed at doubling the area it covers.
Bus patronage has increased substantially and three times as many people are cycling to work.
Other possibilities are tolls on the main arterial roads into London and around shopping centres such as Kingston upon Thames and Bromley.16th February 2004: ‘Edinburgh may be next to levy city centre toll’ Independent
A number of British cities are planning to introduce tolls for traffic entering central areas.
The most advanced of these initiatives is Edinburgh, where two congestion zones are envisaged.
Motorists driving into the inner area, which is roughly the same size as the London charging zone, will have to pay ￡2 between 6.30 am and 7 pm.20th February 2004:Transport cost tops family budget BBC News
Transport is costing the average UK household ￡59 a week, new figures show.
The cost of public and private transport is the biggest single item in the ￡406 weekly budget for 2002-3, the Office for National Statistics says.

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