The Senate subcommittee has passed a proposal bill that will give a 10% tax credit for the purchase of an electric bike, up to $2,500. To get this bill through congress, we all need to write our congressman and urge that they vote for the bill. The passage of this...
OptiBike News
What To Look For In An Electric Bike: Types and Initial Considerations
When in the market for an electric bicycle (or ebike), many are surprised at the wide range of options available to them. Advancements in technology mean more variation in the types of ebikes available today, each with a unique set of specifications and performance...
The Optibike E-Bike Is A True Revolution In Cycling
Testimonial from Optibike rider Bob Lippman The Optibike electric bike is a true revolution in cycling, transportation and sustainability, and has indeed transformed my life and mobility! Despite the weight of two batteries, my full suspension R11 e-bike...
My Optibike E-Bike Experience
It was a chilly September morning, 8:00 am in Moab, Utah at Bullrun Singletrack trailhead. Geared up, ready to go, standing over my brand new Optibike R11 e bike. Nervous. Excited. Hopeful. The unknowns: the trail, the weather, my capabilities, but most of all the...
Stanford Life Lessons #1 How an Hour Changed My Life
Note (This is a Life Lesson I learned while as a graduate Student at the Stanford University Mechanical Engineering Department. While at Stanford, I never dreamed of designing an electric bicycle, but all of these lessons have shaped the way I design the Optibike...
New York Electric Bicycle Ban Protested
It is hard to believe that the electric bicycle has been banned in New York City. They have been declared a menace to society! I do not understand the justification for the ban. If E bike riders break the law, they should be given tickets like any other driver. E...
UNDERSTANDING ELECTRIC BICYCLE BATTERIES Part 1: What Is a Kilowatt-Hr?
The key to any electric bicycle is the battery and how much energy it can hold. The battery is the gas tank. The battery holds energy. Power accelerates the car, but the size of the gas tank (energy capacity of the battery) determines the distance. For a gas-powered...
Why Phil decided to stay in LA
It’s therapeutic for me! I was actually considering moving from Los Angeles because of the traffic congestion. Once I had ridden the Optibike electric bike around for the first couple of days I was convinced to sell my car and remain in LA. I have given up my car and...
Save Time While You Get Fit With an Electric Bicycle
It is possible to save time and get fit riding an electric bicycle. Most of us in the Western world struggle with the lack of time and the lack of exercise. Many Americans sit in their cars for an hour or more each day. If that time was spent riding an...
Electric Bike Action Magazine Launches
It has finally happened! There is now a full paper magazine dedicated to electric bikes; Electric Bike Action. The magazine is being published by Hi Torque Publications who publish Motocross Action and Mountain Bike Action. This is another sign that e-bikes are now...
UNDERSTANDING ELECTRIC BICYCLE BATTERIES Part 2: What Does an Amp-Hr Tell Us?
How are Electric Bicycle Batteries Rated? In Lesson 1 we learned how energy is measure in watt-hrs and this is the like the size of the gas tank. You will often hear the term amp-hrs used to rate an electric bicycle. This is similar to watt-hrs, but only half the...