Jérôme Daoust, 2009/6/21[/url]"]
Tracy Talley said:
When gas hits $6 a gallon you won't be able to make enough electric bikes to satisfy the demand. Personally, I am being patient because I know the inevitable is coming.
High gas price wishers bother me...
If people use electric bikes to commute, they will most likely still need a car for bad weather, for long commutes, or to feel safe on the roads. I don't see people commuting on their ebikes during winter in most of the US.
In some wicked way I feel some are almost hoping to see higher gas prices to force discomfort onto car drivers to seek alternatives. But those replacing their current gas guzzler will probably not choose an ebike. Other alternatives are more likely: Electric/hybrid or any higher mpg car, carpooling, public transport, motorcycles, scooters... I don't see most people slap their forehead and think an ebike will solve their family’s transportation problem. Tell soccer mom to use an ebike for her daily errands and shuttling the kids.
Maybe there will be more ebikes sales in the US when gas prices get so high it hurts (20+ $/gallon, not just 6) but unless we get smart fast and build mass production ebikes here (instead of China) I don't see how that will help our economy.
Maybe some want to see to see high gas prices with the noble goal to curb burning fossil fuels. But better than raising the price of gas, we should instead lower our salaries and raise the price of cars. Isn’t lack of buying power forcing people to ride ebikes instead of cars in China? Is China a happier nation because they ride ebikes to work?
My ebike is just for fun,
Jerome Daoust