E-bikes Are Happening

Ebikes Are Happening

I’ve been asked to head-up the marketing role in an international group that will further popularize the role that electric bicycles play in our rapidly advancing world of low-carbon transportation.

Getting this done effectively will require some research, thought, and planning, but it will hardly be tantamount to pushing a rope.  The appeal of e-bikes, whether for urban commuting or for recreation, is obviously the first time one hits the accelerator and goes zooming up a hill. 

Having said that, the competition in this space is fierce; there are new product entrants every week or so from some part of the world (usually Europe) that set new standards for quality—and often for price.  Plenty of constant change to stay on top of.

I’ll be at the “E-bike Expo” in Long Beach, CA this weekend.  If you’re in town and want to come meet me, please let me know.

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6 comments on “E-bikes Are Happening
  1. marcopolo says:

    Craig,

    Good for you ! E-bikes are hardly new, but they’re great fun and certainly positive technology.

    Not all cities have the sort of compatible traffic conditions required by 2 wheel transport, expecially faster 2 wheel transport.

    But for those towns and cities which do, an E-bike is a great method of transport.

    All the best.

  2. Lawrence Coomber says:

    Craig.

    My day to day work for the last 10 years at least involves electric bikes and carts to move around town, businesses, cafes and social venues etc.

    I own about 20 of them, all types, and used in my Chinese RE products factory.

    Of course I am only one of the other 250 million other residents who also rely on electric bikes, trikes, carts etc.

    But like all new stuff, there are pitfalls, and some very serious pitfalls that many inadequately skilled demographic researchers call “unexpected consequences” as a result of blah blah blah.

    Good luck with your project Craig, and my recommendation is dig deep, and consult widely as you move through your research.

    Lawrence Coomber

  3. Frank R. Eggers says:

    I shall continue to ride my bicycle which is totally powered by me with no electrical assist. Doing so, along with working out in a gym, will help me to maintain my physical fitness as I become even older. There is no substitute for occasionally pushing oneself beyond a sustainable pace and doing intervals. Hills are good for that when reaching the top is dependent entirely on one’s own effort.

    Electric bicycles no doubt have their place, but not for us physical fitness nuts.

    • craigshields says:

      Hey, that’s great Frank. I’m proud of you. 🙂

      Btw, the ebike people claim that riders can elect to pedal when they wish, which of course is true, though I would think there would a huge temptation to propel oneself up hills.

      • Frank R. Eggers says:

        True, there would be a temptation to be powered electrically up hills. But I don’t worry about becoming tired. Becoming tired is part of life which cannot be avoided without negative consequences. In any case, being tired is only a temporary condition.