There's a revolution going on in the world of the bicycle. The new electric bikes, or e-bikes, are a hit with everyone from pensioners to school kids. The demand is so great, the manufacturers can't keep up, and you can wait up to six months for one.
Demonstration
On a typical morning at Kroone Liefting, a cycle shop in the small town of Limmen in North Holland, the enthusiasm is evident. In the space of a couple of hours several potential customers turn up for a test ride. Ingrid and Gerrit-Jan Rookhuizen are considering buying one for their elderly mother, and Anton Schilderman hopes it will encourage his wife, who's had some physical problems, to get on the bike more often.
At first glance, there's little unusual about the demonstration model, a luxury Gazelle. But a closer look reveals a motor housed in the wide rear wheel, with a battery underneath the baggage rack. The image-conscious teenager with a long ride to school over dykes and viaducts would have little to feel ashamed of. "This bike clearly isn't just for the elderly," says the sales assistant. "Young people would be happy to ride one."
Nobel prize
Wim van Vliet of the cycling trade association Bovag raves about the bike with an almost religious zeal. "A professor from the VU University Amsterdam said, 'This bike deserves a Nobel prize.' And I'll tell you why. Old people do less exercise. They can't go jogging for fear of injuries. And pedalling a normal bike can be too hard for
them. But you can keep riding an electric bike well into old age!"
With a looming energy crisis, there are some objections to be made against the electric bike. Mr Van Vliet dismisses them with a wave.
"A full battery will give you an extra push for fifty kilometres, and cost three to five cents. And it's so pleasant to ride that you'll leave your car more often."
Price
An e-bike doesn't come cheap. A standard model starts at around 1300 euros, while one at the top of the range, with puncture-proof tyres, electrically adjustable suspension and a lightweight frame will set you back a good 2000 euros. However, the price is expected to drop.
Mr Van Vliet again: "Divide the price by the number of kilometres you ride. You're left with hardly anything. A modern electric bike will keep going forever." Pensioner Wil Schilderman joins in. "I've had the bike I ride now since I was a teenager, more than forty years. At that rate I can afford to lay out some cash again, can't I?"
It looks like the shop has made two sales that morning. Wil and Anton Schilderman hope to be able to go touring again. The Rookhuizens are going to send round the hat for their mother's 85th birthday.
"She's got a few aches and pains," says Ingrid, "but she still cycles regularly."
"We want to keep it that way," adds Gerrit-Jan. "Mum, come round for coffee on that thing, then you'll keep moving and we'll have you with us for a long time to come."
After all this enthusiasm it was high time to give it a go myself. For the first few hundred metres it felt very much like a well-oiled new bike. But then I turned a corner and rode straight into a strong wind coming off the sea. With the motor, it felt like a mysterious hand pushing me from behind, as if the wind had no effect. It was great! And when I stopped pedalling, the bike simply stopped moving.
Would I buy one? The Calvinist in me finds an electric bike a little extravagant, almost decadent. But I used to think the same about power-assisted steering and electric car windows. Riding straight into a Force 7 wind, another thought occurs to me. If we all start riding electric bikes, kids included, we'll never win a Tour de France again. So out of solidarity with future Dutch yellow shirt wearers, I won't be ordering an e-bike just yet.
[Copyright Radio Netherlands]
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You still need to peddle but the battery helps. The electric bike is all the rage on Dutch cycle paths this summer, and enthusiasts have nothing but praise for it. "This invention deserves a Nobel prize."
By Maurice Laparlière
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