Participants at last year’s E-Bike Lending library.
The Upper Valley E-bike Library is returning to Woodstock on August 14th-19th and will be located at North Chapel. This is a great opportunity to borrow an e-bike for free and get a feel for whether or not they are right for you. We will have opportunities to borrow a bike overnight as well as a demo day where you can take a bike out for two hours to try around town. There will be four types of e-bikes to try, including a cargo bike with a rear rack and several standard bikes, all with an electric assist that helps riders get around with less effort and ride up hills that previously seemed impossible.
One of the ways that we can make a big impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions is through switching to electric transportation. Electric bikes (e-bikes) are a lower cost way to travel locally while reducing your carbon footprint. Many e-bike manufacturers are also increasingly focused on sustainability in their production, using recycled materials and designing bikes for longevity and recyclability. The environmental footprint of e-bike batteries continues to decrease.
The main difference between a regular bike and an e-bike is that e-bikes can provide an assist for hills and difficult riding conditions, where a regular bike depends completely on the rider. E-bikes use rechargeable batteries and can be plugged directly into a standard outlet at your home. Most e-bikes can travel up to 20 mph, and can travel 22-50 miles on a single charge, depending on a number of factors. Some bikes have higher ranges of 80+ miles per charge.
There are different styles of e-bikes to choose from. When deciding if an e-bike is right for you, you will want to factor in what the bike’s primary use will be. Cargo bikes allow the rider to carry a larger load of cargo, such as groceries, and many can be outfitted with a child’s seat for school pick-up. There are also commuter bikes, mountain bikes, road bikes, and many more with customizable features. You can also purchase e-bike conversion kits, which convert a regular bike to an e-bike for less cost than purchasing a new e-bike.
Are you interested in using an e-bike but don’t know where to start? Come try one out for free! We will be hosting four bikes for participants to try:
- The RadWagon 3 has a long frame and low center of gravity, and is a cargo bike meant to pick up the kids from school or load up on groceries. We also have a child’s seat strapped onto the bike to take your kid for a test ride too!
- The T10 Gazelle Step-Through features an easy-to-use frame, a ride padded from heavy bumps and shocks, and a mid-drive motor that helps make long trips and uphill trips a breeze. Designed as a “trekking” e-bike, its dynamic design, high level of comfort and excellent handling make this bike the ideal companion for long recreational trips.
- The RadMini Step-Thru 2 Electric Folding Fat Bike is the only bike in the library that folds to save space. The fat tires can tackle rough terrain, all with assistance from the battery.
- The DIY Conversion Kit based on a Bianchi Cortina allows riders to try a regular bike that was converted to an e-bike using a conversion kit. This is an excellent option for riders who already have a bike they love and would like to convert, while saving money.
To reserve an e-bike head to: https://vitalcommunities.org/transportation/upper-valley-e-bike-lending-library/ . Contact Sustainable Woodstock with any questions at programs@sustainablewoodstock.org.