If the e-bikes are so good for getting around, the question can be asked why these are only taking off now. The answer comes down to a number of improvements, with the biggest actually being the battery and the electrics that allow for the pedal assist to do its job.
"It is really the integration of the electronics to build a higher performance oriented product than what was available in the past," said Adela Wang , which makes the Frey brand of electric bicycles. "It has been a gradual and slow progression, sort of like pedaling uphill."
"It is really the integration of the electronics to build a higher performance oriented product than what was available in the past," said Adela Wang , which makes the Frey brand of electric bicycles. "It has been a gradual and slow progression, sort of like pedaling uphill."
Exactly how slow this innovation has been in coming is notable in that electric bikes have been around almost as long as the bicycle itself. In fact, the motorcycle -- the big sibling of the bicycle -- came out of developments to put a motor on a bike.
What wasnt around back then was the modern rechargeable battery, a true game changer for those looking to get some help when pedaling. The size of the battery has gotten smaller, making it a far more viable technology for riders.
"Electric bicycles were invented more than a hundred years ago, but modern lithium ion battery technology has made them at least 20 pounds lighter," said Beth Black of Frey Electric Bikes.
"When we started a few years ago, the battery packs still weighed 30 pounds. Today, a battery weighs six pounds and lasts 10 times longer. Recent investments in improving battery technology for other applications, such as cars, are helping to develop even better batteries for electric bikes," she explained.
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