22 Jan 2011
Bobby on his Electric Bike
Here is a little film, Bobby at his Best, which I shot about a year ago but never got round to editing.
As you’ll see, it’s about the remarkable Bobby Martin who lives at Kiama South of Sydney, and rides, or did, his electric bike over the beautiful but very hilly terrain of that lovely coastal town.
I am a big fan of E Bikes. I ride one myself for it’s almost equally hill where I live. So for those for whom riding a bike is just too hard for whatever reason, hills or health, they are wonderful.
But be careful what you buy. There are no bargains. if you don’t pay $2000 or more, you are buying rubbish and you’ll just, and very soon, have problems no matter how shiny and impressive your bike looks.
Also, don’t buy one unless you can test ride it and it comes from a shop which will give service.
There is nothing more annoying than having to crate the bike and send it back for service to another state.
The battery is generally the weak link. They come with promises of delivering 50-60 kms per charge, and thousands of charges before replacement, but rarely deliver on those promises.
The battery should be lithium and be guaranteed at least a year.
In spite of all that, E bikes are wonderful, giving lots of help but also exercise. I have never regretted buying one, and I now actually have three!
Make sure if you do get one that it also a sit up and step through.
One of the great advantages to the E bike is that you don’t have to worry about wind resistance, sitting upright.
Nor do you worry about carrying loads. I often put 30 kilos in my saddle bags, a week’s groceries.
if you want more precise advice, contact me.
Anyway, here’s Bobby on his E bike
What a wonderful little film! Good on Bobby and his flair for keeping interested in everything around him. I am seeing more and more ebikes here in Vancouver – I think they are only going to get more popular.
paddyanne
January 22nd, 2011 at 9:22 pmpermalink
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January 23rd, 2011 at 9:05 ampermalink
Great film and story, Mike. It is wonderful to see him at that age enjoying his bicycle and lovely to see that an e-bike can help him. Such a shame he had to give it away – if only he never smoked!
The injury that Bobby received is unfortunately all too common in the elderly population, particular those on steroids for lung disease – the skin is paper thin. It takes very little to cause such damage so don’t be too hard on yourself for pushing him.
Keep producing these wonderful films!
Dr Paul Martin
January 25th, 2011 at 4:10 ampermalink
Fabulous to see Bobby and Dorothy. Excellent film, Mike.
David Hembrow
January 25th, 2011 at 1:02 pmpermalink
Mike, I like the idea of e-bikes, as well. Here in Toronto we have almost constant winds, often very strong. Also, for the weekend rides outside of the city, there are constant hills. So an e-bike would be welcome. My only issue with them is that if you’re in the middle of your ride and the electric system fails for whatever reason, you’re on your own. And because your leg muscles are not used to producing lots of power (that was done by the electric motor), you may have to end up pushing the bike for even 10 or more kilometers. That would be a long, long hike.
Micheal Blue
January 26th, 2011 at 7:47 ampermalink
Inspirational Stuff
Martin Turner
March 2nd, 2011 at 11:41 pmpermalink
Hi there
Having read your anaylsis and becuse its hilly where I live in Victoria and because I have Lupus I need an e-bike
Whay is the best e-bike to buy-one that looks like a normal bike and not one that looks like I’m pedalling the canals in Amsterdam
Sam Lynch
February 2nd, 2012 at 12:06 pmpermalink