Report by Sean Poole
A new e-bike! This is the first step in our
new project for creating a renewable energy transport system, which will
hopefully eventually be implemented at NMMU and provide transport for students
and staff. This system will allow students/staff to logout an e-bike with their
card and then log the bike in later at any other docking station at any campus.
These docking stations will charge the batteries of the bikes using renewable
energy sources such as wind and solar energy.
This first bike will be used to measure
power consumptions and practicality. Here is my 10 cents worth about the e-bike
(after about 300km on the clock).
·
So far the electricity costs
riding to work and back are about 2 cents per km (yes that’s 50km for every R1
of electricity)
·
I complete the 20km round route
to work and back wearing exactly what I would wear at work (long pants and
maybe a warm top) and arrive at work fresh without sweating.
·
Many comments that I have
received are that an e-bike is a ‘lazy man’s bike’. I would have to completely
disagree. An e-bike is not a form of exercise (for obvious reasons) but rather
and alternative form of transport to taxis, cars, motor bikes, etc. And so, by
using an e-bike as an alternative transportation I not only save on costs and
limit my impact on the environment, but I also exercise more than I would have
and have a better lifestyle.
·
It takes me less than 25 min
(my record is about 21 min) to complete the 10km route to work in the mornings,
which when compared to the 15-20 min it takes in a car, makes an attractive
alternative.
In conclusion I am really enjoying the use
of the e-bike and (as long as the weather is good) I will continue using it to
get to work and back.
