buy an electric bike

I probably won’t, as they aren’t available here in India. Well, I did see one in a toyshop but it was for children, and the salesperson very adamantly told me that I was too heavy for it. I slunk away sadly, dragging my cellulite with me ..

In all honesty, I don’t think I’d have the guts to ride a cycle in India’s traffic. But it’s still something I’d want to do, so I’m adding it to my list.

I bought a Townie 21 $400.00 US, it is a 21 speed bike with the pedals set about 10 inches more forward to make pedaling much easier.The Townie bikes have “Flat foot design” which means at a stop both feet are flat on the ground not on your tip toes.
I added a Crystalyte conversion kit the more powerful Sparrow 4825 model.It is a hub motor and has 48 volts. There are various models but this is the best and fastest I owned. I had a Currie motor mounted to one side but it threw off the balance. The hub motor is the front wheel itself thats what you get a motor built into a wheel, it is a brushed motor meaning you can start from a standing position.Front wheel drive feels different but you get use to it. I did add Kevlar anti flat stripes to the inside of the tires.They are made of same material as bullet proof vest and help to prevent flats definitely worth the $20 US .
The motors are called power assisted in reality there is little use of pedaling except as exercise as this bike far acceded the USA limit of 20 MPH.
I weigh 150 pounds and can hit 30 miles an hour with a range of about 15 miles if I do no pedaling.With pedaling the range is extended way over the advertised 20 miles .I have not used it on any long trips but just watching the power gauge I have pedaled with the motor as assist and used little battery.
I live in Florida the flattest state in the USA so that is an advantage. I use it daily ,even in the rain to go work and return. I use to take the bus which took 45 minuets now I can make the 6 mile distance in 17 minuets.
The Hub motor kit cost about $600 with shipping and taxes and takes about 3-4 hours to assemble.It is almost plug and play the hardest part was setting up the batteries in the proper series.The kit comes with a panier that holds the batteries on the top and has the two saddle bags on the sides. Just be sure you start with a bike that can handle the hub motor. The cheaper bikes found at the K-Mart or Target stores are best to use as they are generally not made of the lighter metals.The models need to be City and Cruiser bikes no skinny tire bikes. Gear speed is not important as it is front wheel drive and has no effect on top speed.
The power is controlled with a throttle mounted on handle bars which also contains a battery gauge so you can see how much power you still have and the batteries are recharged while mounted on the bike. Other gauges on bike, Halogen headlights and rear flashing lights, speedometer, mirror and must have bell.
This is a top quality bike and best deal for the money.
I have owned the bike with a Currie motor on it since 2005 and put the Crystalyte motor in May 2007 .So far I have just over 4200 miles on it.

This vehicle has lots of advantages…so I decided to buy it

I’m in a situation where learning to drive a car is going to be a bit mroe of an issue than it is for most… but now that I have an electric bike, it has changed everything.

It’s was even easier to get around with this as my primary mode of transport than I thought. Probably the most useful thing I ever bought.

There are a million different sorts of batteries and styles! Argh. And the search continues…

Froogle Wishlisted.

... from ordinary bike to electric bike. That way, if I move house, the 10km each way commute doesn’t suck so much. And, later, when my commute gets worse… 20 km /up hill/... well, I won’t die.