Comparing Motor Sizes: Advice from the LEVA

Ed Benjamin from the Light Electric Vehicle Association recently detailed some considerations when thinking about buying an ebike - specifically, motor size - 250, 500, or 750 watts. Since legal definitions of ebikes are partially based on wattage, it's good to understand the difference. Here's a summary of his considerations:

1. What is actually legal where you live? In Oregon and Washington, the motor limit is 1000 watts, but there are other details in the definition as well.

2. How is that power measured? A motor may different power ratings based on where its measured.

3. Are you measuring peak power, or continuous?

4. How much power will your battery realistically drive - range/weight/cost are all factors here.

In general, Ed says that 250 watts are good for pedal assisted systems - as the rider has to be pedaling to for the motor to engage, they'll always be helping move the bike. 350-500 watt motors are better, Ed says, in throttle-based applications, and that much bigger than 750 watts really starts to require impractical battery arrangements.

Thanks for the tips, Ed! One of Ed's best points, I think, is that ebikes are bicycles, and "a bicycle is a very privileged vehicle". Ed was also recently interviewed on NPR's Science Friday, which I transcribed/summarized here.

Ebiking Safely, Thanks to Gracie's Wrench

Last night, I had the opportunity to take an ebike-focused bicycle safety class, courtesy of The eBike Store. Led by Tori Bortman of Gracie's Wrench, the class is a free service offered by Wakefield Gregg, owner of The eBike Store, to all his new ebike customers. It was a great chance to review some general bike safety rules, and some ebike specific ones as well.

We started with basic bike checks that should be performed before any ride, with the addition of batteries and wiring points. This led into a review and discussion of the Oregon Bicyclist manual and the rules of riding in a bike lane, taking a lane, and turning safely. Tori stressed that making ourselves visible and predictable is vital to riding safely, whether on an ebike or a regular bike.

Tori's casual style yet encyclopedic knowledge of bikes and bike safety, as well as years of experience riding and wrenching made her a great instructor. Obviously, her skill as an instructor far outstrips my photographic skills.

All of the participants in the class were looking to their new ebikes as a way to get out of their car, get more exercise, and build strength/fitness. Now we'll all be able to do that, and a little bit more safely.