Here come the pedalecs

Tenpoints said :

A traditional pushbike is usually between 90-98.5% efficient unless there is something

…wrong with it.

Ok, I’m not going to spend hours digging up exact figures, but let me throw this at you. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/evtech.shtml
Your average gasoline powered car is 17-21% efficient in terms of energy in->energy out on the road (and to power your electrics). Other sources say lower efficiency even, such as 15%.

A decent all-electric car will get 59-62% efficiency from the energy you put into it. (Same source)

A traditional pushbike is usually between 90-98.5% efficient unless there is something

http://www.ebikes.ca/simulator/
This source states that depending on a number of variables, electric motors on bikes are usually at least as efficient as electric motors on cars when it comes to moving you somewhere.

Now without a detailed scientific study no-one here could say with the certainty you are after exactly how efficient and environmentally friendly these pedalecs are. The phrase environmentally friendly is a bit of a misnomer as an absolute term, as most forms of transport do not benefit the environment. Some forms of transport are *relatively* less bad for the environment, which is what people could achieve as that bar is a realistic one. If people want to be environmentally friendly, the best way to do that is to feed themselves to endangered animals.

As far as not ruining the environment with waste goes, how many pedalecs could you make out of the mineral and economic resources allocated for one car? I’m guessing it’s more than 10.

Sandman said :

dungfungus said :

Could someone explain how these bikes are “efficient and environmentally friendly”?
Are they made from recycled toilet paper and do they convert carbon dioxide to oxygen?
Some facts please; not platitudes.

It’s a relative comparison compared to a car. They’re not 100% efficient or environmentally friendly and nowhere is it stated that they are.

I suggest you read the last paragraph of Mr Corbell’s media release:

“The introduction of Pedalecs into Australia is in response to a growing demand for low powered, efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles,” Mr Corbell said.

dungfungus said :

Could someone explain how these bikes are “efficient and environmentally friendly”?
Are they made from recycled toilet paper and do they convert carbon dioxide to oxygen?
Some facts please; not platitudes.

It’s a relative comparison compared to a car. They’re not 100% efficient or environmentally friendly and nowhere is it stated that they are.

Could someone explain how these bikes are “efficient and environmentally friendly”?
Are they made from recycled toilet paper and do they convert carbon dioxide to oxygen?
Some facts please; not platitudes.

milkman said :

Pedalecs? Not near my children!

It really isn’t fair to tar Alecs with that brush before his hearing.

Holditz said :

I had a call around, seems as if no one is selling these type of bicycles..

Considering ACT is the first state/territory in Australia to legalise them, i’d say it will take a while. There are kits online, pretty sure whirlpool had a big thread on them.

Pedalecs? Not near my children!

I had a call around, seems as if no one is selling these type of bicycles. Hopefully it won’t be too soon before we see them in the better bike shops.

I’ve been riding an e-assist to work for the past year or so and apart from the weather side of things, it’s by far the best way of commuting that I can think of. I’ve worked out I use about 2c worth of electricity to get to work and back, I get as much exercise as I feel like getting and a lot of the time it’s faster than driving.