Electric Assist Cargo Bike

I admit to being a snob when it comes to bikes - I feel a bike should be powered by muscles.  When I lived in NYC I was always peeved when someone on an electric assist bike passed me.  Mostly the individuals were food delivery riders. They were just earning a living, not out to piss anyone off. 

Is my bias justified?  No, it's just a personal feeling that I should probably get over.  If people want to get around on two wheels without pedaling they have every right to.  People might also have loads to carry that might not be easy with just their muscles.   There are lots of good reasons for electric assist bike usage, however I still take on a curmudgeon mentality when I run into them on the road.

Maybe I will get over my feeling if people send along electric assist bike hacks, like reader Steve did.  Text, links, and pictures below are credited to Steve.  If you have electric assist bike hacks, feel free to send them along - I won't let my bias keep me from posting.

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I have a bike I built to carry my self and my daughter cargo.  The updated version is here -

- and the original can be found here.

 
Both versions are electric assist with the original being a friction drive and the updated version a rear hub motor.

Comments

[Bicycle Bill]

Sorry, but I'm with you on the muscles vs electric motors. In my book, if it's motorized it's a motorcycle, not a bicycle.

[James Kingston]

I don't begrudge then for using them, but I didn't like their presence in the bike lanes, & especially going over the bridges.

I'm still nursing the wounds from a head-on collision with a lightless Power Salmon on a dark Queens night. Had he been human-powered maybe he would have engaged in the moment and noticed my headlight getting closer.

[WV Cycling]

Could you place a dynamo or something on it, and trickle back into the battery system?

[Steve Boser]

The hubmotor powered version uses regenerative braking which puts a small amount of power back into the battery and reduces wear on the brakes by switching the motor into a generator while slowing the bike.

Steve

[John h]

I think they call that a "mo-ped", and depending on where you live, subject to motor vehicle laws.

[Kim]

I never thought of using a skate board as a bike rear rack. This is brilliant! It's both heavy duty and good looking.

I might give it a try some day...