TheBenefits

Below is a huge amount of text taking from various sources relating to the benefits of electric cycles, some of the main benefits inlcude:

• Pollution Free Transport
• A Healthier Lifestyle
• Great Fun to Use
• Low Cost Communiting

Some of the frequently asked questions include:

• Tell me general info?
• What does the law say?
• Who benefits from Electric Bikes?
• Why choose Powacycle?
• How do Electric Bikes fit into modern life?
• What is triple mode?
• Tell me more?

Benefits in more detail:

Electric bikes and the modern life-style
For a versatile transport solution to modern living, motorized bikes or electric bikes offer many advantages. The electrically assisted or motorized bicycle brings truly low cost powered transport and answers the fitness challenges and time pressures of twenty first century living.

The costs of running an electric powered bicycle
Provided an electric cycle falls within the UK legal definition, an electric bike is classed as a bicycle under UK law. As a result the on-going cost of ownership is minimal with no insurance, MOT or vehicle licence required. There are no worries with prices at the pumps. Relatively cheap mains power and rechargeable batteries mean a very low cost per mile, and as the rider contributes energy to locomotion, the overall cost per mile is a fraction of conventional powered two wheelers.

For pleasure and leisure - What a motorized electric bicycle can do for you
Riding an electric cycle brings all the outdoor cycling enjoyment without the strain. Users can balance pedal effort with the electric power contribution, to suit individual preferences. Electric bikes come in a variety of styles. Electric Mountain Bikes provide the smooth comfort of shock absorbers for tackling rugged terrain and e-bike styles range from the conventional to rather quirky.

Town commuting with assisted power electric bikes commuting
For the employee wanting to avoid arriving at work in a sweat, the relatively effortless experience of power assisted cycling is a welcome relief. With speeds of up to 15 mph on assisted power or motor, electric bikes can make headway on town roads. Where congested roads provide cycle lanes, the electric bicycle is king of the road.

Electrically powered cycles and fitness
The electric bike at first glance, appears to offer less fitness potential compared with a standard cycle. However, as the electrically powered bicycle gives a better performance, shorter journey times, and extends a cyclist's comfortable range, there is far more reason to use it, in place of a car.

More frequent use of an motorized bicycle, contributes to overall health by bringing the benefits of regular cardio-vascular exercise. An electric bike can save users time and cost, previously invested in toning up at the gym.

For users wanting to make the most of their own energy, an electric bike with a broad range of gears is ideal. It reduces the reliance and necessity of tapping the motor power to maintain a reasonable pace or climb.

Tackling challenges and longer journeys with the aid of motorised electric bikes
With the exception of the hardened fitness cyclist, one of the disadvantages of cycling is the negotiation of hills. Electric bikes help take the strain, by adding power to the users own contribution, creating a more effortless climb. Depending on the electric cycle and the weight of the rider a good electric bike can negotiate a ten degree hill, and with the rider contributing as well, even greater slopes.

The improvement to individual performance that electric cycles give, mean that longer journeys can feel like a short-run.

Who benefits from an Electric Bike?

Who benefits from Electrically Assisted Pedal Bikes?

• Commuters - Who like to cycle, yet arrive fresh at work by using assisted power, and burn off energy cycling on the home run.
• Leisure Users - Who aim to cover greater distances and explore the countryside with ease.
• About Town Travel - With cycle lanes and cycle paths, users have more travel route options,
  and for some journeys, travel could be quicker than by car.
• Health & Fitness – An electric bike offers a healthy alternative to a car journey, and improves the pace and distance of a cycle.
• Local Shoppers - Leave the car at home, save effort fighting for a parking space.
• Tackling Hills – For a steep climb, power assistance can keeps the rider on the bicycle.
• Knee Joint Sufferers – Where pedalling is not easy an electric bike takes the strain.
• Keen Environmentalists - Electric bikes keep urban pollution to a minimum.
• Older People - Who love cycling and value the extra energy that electric cycles give.
• Economy Users - No Licence, No insurance, No MOT and No worries over petrol prices.
• No Driving Licence - Due to age, ill-health, or a ban, an electric bike will get you back on
  the road.

Legal - Are Electric Bikes Legal in the UK?
 

What are the main legal issues for electric cycles being used on UK roads?

Electrically-assisted bicycles are Road Legal in the UK provided:

• The electric cycle weighs 40kg or less
• The motor rating is not over 200 watts continuous power output
• Powered speed does not exceed 15mph
• The cycle has working pedals
• Riders are aged 14 or over

Are licences, Insurance or MOT’s required electric bikes?  

No - Unlike motor cycles there are no legal requirements for Insurance, MOT’s or Road Tax provided the products meet the requirements outlined above. However some of the bigger scooters provided by Powabyke need the usual licence, insurance and MOT, etc.

Are motor cycle helmets needed?

No - The same rules and recommendations that apply to cycles, apply to electrically assisted cycles.

So wearing a cycle helmet is recommended, but not a legal requirement for use on the road.

Speed limit - Is the maximum speed 15mph?

No - this maximum only applies to the use of electric power, riders can travel beyond 15mph with pedal power alone.

A pedal sensor ensures that electrically assisted power is cut when speed exceeds 15mph.

Electric Bikes suit modern life-styles

Electric Vehicles - A versatile transport

For a versatile transport solution to modern living, electric or motorized bikes offer many advantages, bringing truly low-cost powered transport and an answer to the fitness challenges twenty-first century living.

The costs of running an electric bike

There are no worries with prices at the pumps. Relatively cheap mains power and rechargeable batteries, plus the rider’s energy contribution to locomotion, means that the overall cost per mile is only a fraction of conventional powered two wheelers.

Electric Bicycle - For pleasure and leisure

Riding an electric bike brings all the outdoor cycling enjoyment without the strain. Users can balance pedal effort with the electric power contribution, to suit their preferences.

Electric Bikes - About town commuting

For the employee wanting to avoid arriving at work in a sweat, the relatively effortless experience of power assisted cycling is a welcome relief. With speeds of up to 15mph* on assisted power or motor, electric bikes can make headway on town roads. Where congested roads provide cycle lanes, the electric bike is “king of the road”.

Electric Bikes and fitness

At first glance the electric bike appears to offer less fitness potential compared with a standard cycle. However, as the powered bike gives a better performance, shorter journey times, and extends a cyclist’s comfortable range, there is far more reason to use it in place of a car. More frequent use contributes to overall health by bringing the benefits of regular cardiovascular exercise.

Better than Cycling for Commuters

For local travel to work cycling is a healthy choice, but as shower facilities are rarely provided in the workplace, arriving in a sweat is an unsatisfactory option. Here electric bikes have the edge, as riders can adjust their efforts, to stay cool. Commuters who travel with assisted power enjoy cycling that feels effortless, and then take exercise on the return journey home. 

Tackling challenges and longer journeys

One of the disadvantages of cycling is the negotiation of hills. Electric bikes help take the strain, creating a more effortless climb. The improvement to individual performance that electric bikes give, mean that longer journeys can feel like a short-run.

In harmony with the environment

Where users aim to make the most of their own energy, a broad range of gears is ideal, reducing reliance on motor power to maintain a reasonable pace or climb. Electric bikes help users to get full use of their own cycling skills and physical energy, while providing extra energy whenever needed. PowaCycles are ideal for modern living, in harmony with the environment.

* For electrically assisted bikes, 15mph is the maximum legal “power assisted” speed.

What’s special about PowaCycle?

Electric Bike Styles

Since our PowaCycle Electric Bikes actually look like bicycles, they don’t look out of place on a cycle path – so you won’t get stared at or stopped. Stylish and modern the PowaCycle range of Electric Motorized Bicyles are amongst the most attractive electric bikes available.

And whilst looks count, the feel of quality comes from the fine components used. We use Japanese Shimano gears for example, ensuring reliability where it counts for our electric bikes.

Power and Gears of Motorized Bicycles

By offering a range of 6 gears, PowaCycle Electric Bikes reduce dependency on motor power to tackle slopes, and achieve a decent pace just by pedalling. As gears make pedalling easier and help riders achieve pace, users are encouraged to full exercise benefits from cycling. As riders get so much more from pedalling, less battery power is consumed, effectively raising the distance range in the assisted power mode. Our PowaCycle Electric Bikes are designed to help riders make the most of their own energy, providing plenty of extra power on demand.

Electric Bikes come in a range of choices - Lightweight choice   

For users wanting to keep the weight to a minimum, Aluminium alloy frames and the latest Lithium Polymer Batteries offer users a lighter choice that will still suit most budgets.

PowaCycle Electric Bike and Electric Battery products are manufactured under ISO 9001:2000 quality procedures, to ensure consistent product standards. As a major group, our buying experience and trading power ensures that our products always extend great value to customers, without having to compromise on quality.

Products Supplied – Partially Assembled

To ensure that your PowaCycle Electric Bike arrives safely at your door, it has been partially assembled. The back wheel and gears are already fitted. On some models, you may have to assemble the front wheel, handlebar and pedals yourself. Note – Assembly should be performed by a person who is competent in assembling a bicycle, or consult your local bike shop.

Ready to Run

Classified as Electric Bikes under the UK law, PowaCycle products can be used on UK roads by riders over 14 years old, without licence, road tax or MOT.

Why Triple Mode Power is best for Electric Vehicles

Many of PowaCycle’s competitors in the UK supply “Pedelecs” where power assistance is controlled by pedalling the electric vehicle or electric bike.

With a Pedelec as soon as you begin pedalling, the motor supplies power, making cycling seem effortless. This motor power supports the users pedalling effort. The faster you pedal, the more power you will get from the motor. When you stop pedalling, the motor assistance also ceases, until you start pedalling again.

PowaCycle electric bikes offer Triple Mode i.e. they are also “Pedelecs”, but in addition they can operate under independent motor power alone.

The three modes for our electric bikes are as follows:

Mode 1 - Assisted Power – “Pedelec” – Where the motor only works whilst you are pedalling. UK Law sets a maximum speed of 15mph in this mode. Once you exceed this speed the power assistance will cease.

Mode 2 - Motor Power Only – One of PowaCycle’s electric bikes unique features is that our electric bikes also have an independent throttle on the handlebar, so that you can regulate power independently of pedalling. Note – This mode is mainly for use on flat surfaces. Cycling on a slope or incline should be done in Pedelec mode. UK Law sets a maximum speed of 15mph in this mode.

Mode 3 - Cycling Only – Without Motor Assist There is NO Maximum speed limit for this mode of operation.

Q: Do I require road tax and insurance?

All Powabyke models are classed as bicycles, so there is no need for road tax. It is wise to insure your vehicle against theft and third party liability. Powabyke has arranged a special policy with Cycleguard, details of which are supplied with each bike. Or visit our Insurance page. Also, we have included the details for bikeregister.com which lets you register your bike so if it is recovered by the Police after being stolen, they will find your contact details online.

Q: How fast will it go?

To gain exemption from road tax, insurance and wearing a motorcycle helmet, we have to restrict the powered speed to 15mph.  You can pedal the bike faster than 15mph if you wish.

Q: Do I need to pedal?

No. Once the Powabyke reaches 2mph the motor power will take over and propel you to the desired speed up to 15mph. You can supplement the battery power at any time by using the pedals, for example on steep inclines. This will increase the range of the battery. You can ride any Powabyke model like a normal bicycle, with or without the battery connected.

Q: What is the range of the Powabyke?

The range on all two-wheel Powabykes from a fully charged battery is approximately 20 miles without pedalling. However, the Euro bike has a range of over 30 miles in Power Assist mode (PAS). In PAS, you must keep pedalling while using the motor. Range depends on the weight of the rider and the severity of the gradients on your journey. Our calculations are based on a 95 kg rider on an undulating road.

Q: What are the running costs?

To fully charge the battery, which takes eight hours, you will use 0.75kw of electricity, costing about 5p. Battery recycling costs £125 through our recycling programme and includes the collection of your old battery and its return complete with new battery cells. The service normally takes two weeks. In most cases, your local dealer can provide a much faster turnaround time. Total running cost works out at roughly 1.5p per mile.

Q: Is the Powabyke expensive to maintain?

Q: Why don't you supply Powabykes with lights?

Although the Powabyke runs on a battery, it is of 36 volts capacity whereas bike light systems are 12 volts. Any proprietary set of cycle lights can be fitted easily at a small extra cost.

Q: What are the laws pertaining to Powabykes?

To be used on the road without tax, driving licence and motor cycle crash helmet Powabykes have to conform to the following rules. These rules are set out in the Road Traffic Act.

1. Riders must be over 14 years old.
2. Motor power must be less than 200 watts.
3. Weight must be under 40kg without rider.
4. Speed under power must be limited to 15mph.