[sustran] Re: UNEP, electric bicycles?

[Jain Alok]

What is the difference between an electric bicycle and electric scooter?

Can somebody enlighten?

Alok Jain
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Eric Bruun [mailto:ebruun at rci.rutgers.edu]
> Sent: 24 April, 2001 4:27 AM
> To: sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org
> Subject: [sustran] Re: UNEP, electric bicycles?
> 
> 
> 
> I agree with Walter. Eric Bruun
> 
> On Mon, 23 Apr 2001 mobility at igc.org wrote:
> 
> > i don't have any problem with electric bikes or electric 
> assist pedicabs.  battery weight remains a problem, however, 
> or cost. probably tighter emission controls on motorcycles 
> would help the economic viability of this sector, no? 
> > 
> > walter 
> > 
> > 
> > sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org wrote:
> > > It seems UNEP's pro-car statement (see Car Busters #25 - 
> sent by Paul Barter, 19 April) shows the extent of the car 
> industry's vision of 
> > sustainable cities -- paved and congested, but with much less 
> > pollution.  (Incidentally, the hydrogen BMW's were also a 
> key feature of 
> > Bangkok's International Motor Show earlier this month.)
> > 
> > Curiously, hidden among Ford's "environmental" cars and now 
> featured in a 
> > new Lee Iacocca company (see New York Times article 
> reference below) are 
> > electric assisted bicycles.
> > 
> > I believe I am as skeptical of EV/alt-fuel solutions as 
> anyone, but the 
> > bicycles are intriguing.  As far as I know, they are still 
> bicycles, but 
> > with a small electric motor and battery added.  Thus they 
> are not fast, not 
> > congesting, and perhaps can allow use by segments of the 
> elderly and the 
> > physically challenged who could not previously use a bicycle.
> > 
> > Is this a really sustainable EV?
> > 
> > John
> > 
> > 
> >  From the New York Times, 19April:
> > 
> > "Electric bicycles are a natural for people who are starting
> > to gray in America," said Lee Iacocca, the former Chrysler
> > chairman who is now president of EV Global Motors Company,
> > which makes a line of electric bicycles called E-Bikes.
> > Indeed, electric bikes let batteries (and chips) do much of
> > the work when muscles aren't enough. But companies are still
> > waiting for the sales to kick in.
> > http://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/19/technology/19BIKE.html?0419ci
> > 
> > Video of the Think Electric Bike in action:
> > http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/reference/041901bike.ram
> > 
> > 
> > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> > John Ernst   -  Asia Regional Director
> > 
> > ITDP - The Institute for Transport and Development Policy   
 www.itdp.org
> 
> 8 Sukhumvit Soi 49/9    Bangkok 10110    Thailand
> Tel +66 (1) 813-1819    Fax +1 (801) 365-5914
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> 
>