With this type of bike, an electronic control system senses the rider’s effort (rear wheel torque and/or speed) and then augments that effort by supplying power from an on-board battery to an electric motor that also powers the rear wheel. The amount of “assistance” can range from 50% to 400% of the effort exerted by the biker. The electric motor not only “pulls its own weight” but makes pedaling easier for the biker. The result is that the biker can travel longer distances, with less physical effort, at a greater speed, and arrive fresher. An added safety benefit is that a rider can better keep up with the speed of motorized traffic, such as when climbing a long hill. Electric-assist bikes present an attractive alternative to a pedal-only bicycle, bus or car for errands, commuting or sheer rider enjoyment.

In the model of electric-assist bike used on the Green Bike Tour (Charger, www.electroportal.com) the batteries can provide assistance for a distance of thirty to forty miles, depending on terrain and the biker’s size. It takes less that ten cents worth of electricity to fully charge the battery to cover this distance. An electric-assist bike costs slightly more than a quality pedal-only bicycle but significantly less to operate than a gasoline-powered motorcycle, motor scooter, or automobile. At current prices, the electric-assist bicycles used in the Green Bike Tour are roughly equivalent to a 1,000 mile-per-gallon vehicle.

The law generally regards these new hybrid bikes as non-motor vehicles, making them appropriate for use on bike paths, locking up at bike racks, and needing no license to operate (although not all state laws and local ordinances are totally clear on these issues).

For the Green Bike Tour, two electric-assist bikes were “solarized” by adding photovoltaic panels to the front and rear luggage racks. These panels provided 40 watts of electricity to continuously help replenish the bike battery. Although more panels would be needed to make the solarized electric-assist bike totally self-sustaining, this system extended the battery range for a 200-pound rider from 32 to over 40 miles. After 40 miles, the rider would simply take a break and plug into an outlet at a convenience store or other location, where the batteries can be recharged to over 80% in less than one hour. Other models of electric-assist bicycles are available with optional solar charging systems that are separate, stationary units (www.electricvehiclesnw.com/index.htm).

The overall goal of including the solarized bikes on the Green Bike Tour is to call attention to the transportation choices that people make and to the consequences of those choices on the environment, health, the economy, and the larger society. The intent is to consider alternatives to our current policies and practices in the production and use of energy.