The Case for Electric Bicycles
by Joelle Novey
"If, like most Americans, you find yourself hopping in your car to drive down the street and around the corner, consider one alternative: "zooming" your way there instead on a quiet and speedy pedal assisted electric bike. Though you may balk at regularly biking more than a mile or two, summer is the perfect time to consider a bike with a little electric "oomph" — a green alternative to driving that doesn’t require you to travel entirely on your own foot or pedal power."
Electric bicycles are among the most efficient modes of transportation. They allow a person to travel farther, faster, and expend less energy than walking. Since they produce zero emissions, they are an inexpensive green alternative to the car for getting about town.
Unlike gasoline, electricity can be generated from a variety of renewable energy sources. Often you can purchase electricity generated by renewables through a program offered by your utility company, such as Xcel Energy's Windsource program. Even with grid power, the overall efficiency of the electric bicycle makes it an environmentally friendly choice.
Considering the fossil fuel inputs necessary to produce food calories in today's agricultural system, it's been suggested in some studies that electric bicycles are even more carbon-neutral than strictly human-powered bicycles!
For those wishing to reduce their carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels, as well as enjoy inexpensive, healthy and fun transportation, the electric bicycle is a fantastic solution.
