The Cyclist's Electric Bike Shops Since 1996
We sell and service Human Power Augmented a.k.a. Electric bikes and ride them enthusiastically ourselves. See also our folding bikes at Folding Bikes West.
How to order
You may phone or visit our store to place an order. No on line purchasing is offered. Pick up in store or shipped.
Seattle, WA
Electric Bikes Northwest
4810 17th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107 - Map
ph: 206/547-4621
Email form
Winter Hours:
Monday: 11–4
Tuesday thru Friday 11–6
Saturday: 11–4
Sunday: closed
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Radio Interview
Listen to a KOMO radio interview with Eric Sundin.
The Adventure of Human Power Augmentation
⊕ Click images to enlarge.
You may have noticed elsewhere on this web site references to
'augmenting, not replacing human power', 'designed as if human power
matters', 'hybrid electric bikes' or 'blending human and electric power?
What are we talking about?
We begin by asking whether one actually wants and needs to take the step
from 100% human power as in walking or pedaling a regular bicycle, to 0%
as in driving a motor vehicle.
We are not aware of any means of adding power to walking and if we were
to add a human's fractional HP to the 150 HP of a 3,500 lb car the
effect would not be noticeable. On the other hand the efficient and
light bicycle is ideally suited for hybrid propulsion as in human and
machine together.
Only about 80 Watt (746W=1HP) of pedaling is required to maintain a
bicycle at around 14 mph on level ground, a task considered
non-strenuous and agreeable by many cyclists. Were the course always
level, head winds never stirring, temperatures pleasantly cool, and as
riders we were forever young, fit, motivated and without ailments or
injuries this whole discussion might be superfluous.
But as those ideal conditions are only fleeting enjoyed we realize
quickly that up to several times 80 W shall be needed to e.g. ride up a
steep hill and we must still accept cresting at a modest pace: The light
pedaling that propels us with such ease on level ground has thus become
woefully inadequate riding up hill.
In no way, however, do we need to despair on the human power component. Adding an appropriate amount of motor power makes our own pedaling perfectly agreeable. Depending on the ride and the rider a 250 or 500 or 750 Watt motor adds 'ferocious tail wind' and 'flattens hills'. We can now ride at the heart rate our trainer recommends or pedal no harder than our recalcitrant knee may allow. We can keep up with stronger riders (and leaving most of them in the dust). We can haul 60 lb of groceries without getting behind the wheel. We have the option of arriving at our destination after a deeply enjoyable workout or crisp and presentable without a single bead of perspiration on our brow.
No words (at least not ours) can convey the feeling of ease and elation
as we blend human and electric power. We are jolted, but gently, under
way and quietly we surge down the road…
Copyright ©
2011 EbikesNW
