e-Bike

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.