I truly believe e-bikes will be the future of transportation. What's holding them back is dumb legislation. In EU, they are limited to 25 km/h top speed and 250 W motors, which is not enough for everybody. Legislators think that if they are allowed to become more powerful then more people will die in accidents. True, but cars kill even more people so why don't we ban them?
For fit people in good weather, 250 W is plenty enough. But not for overweight people or people with movement disabilities. The energy required for movement is proportional to the weight, so it makes a ton of difference if the rider weights 100 kg or only 70 kg. To ride in rain or snow you need sturdier tires which means that the frame and motor needs to be heavier further contributing to the weight.
This issue is solvable but legislation is way behind. If, or when, e-bikes running at 30 - 35 km/h with 750 W motors becomes street-legal, they would become usable by almost anyone. You'd easily do a 15 km commute without breaking a sweat. I know because I've owned a bike like that which I used to ride in the winter. I sold it and bought a regular bike because I realized that I got zero exercise from it. The e-bike was more like a moped than a bike.
For fit people in good weather, 250 W is plenty enough. But not for overweight people or people with movement disabilities. The energy required for movement is proportional to the weight, so it makes a ton of difference if the rider weights 100 kg or only 70 kg. To ride in rain or snow you need sturdier tires which means that the frame and motor needs to be heavier further contributing to the weight.
This issue is solvable but legislation is way behind. If, or when, e-bikes running at 30 - 35 km/h with 750 W motors becomes street-legal, they would become usable by almost anyone. You'd easily do a 15 km commute without breaking a sweat. I know because I've owned a bike like that which I used to ride in the winter. I sold it and bought a regular bike because I realized that I got zero exercise from it. The e-bike was more like a moped than a bike.