Electric Bike Law

The laws surrounding electric assist bikes are not well defined in the US, or anywhere else for that matter.  As a general proposition, electric bikes remain bikes and they can be ridden without having insurance or a driver's license.  Generally!

Problems occur in two areas:

• The law, such as it is, doesn't make much sense given the way electric motors actually work.
• Local laws trump state and federal law.  Sometimes there are local laws.  Sometimes not.  And to make matters really interesting, sometimes local/state/federal laws are in conflict.

Wikipedia, don't you just love it, contains a reasonable summary of the laws in the US and other countries.

750 Watt Foolishness

The first problem here is that electric motors (actually motors of any sort) don't work in the way this foolishness assumes. 

Electric motors have a nominal rating of watts or horsepower.  But that rating is nominal, not absolute.  Generally, it's a number that says it's OK to put this much electrical energy into the motor on a continuous basis.  It's also worth noting that motor manufacturers can, and often do, sell identical motors with different power ratings.  The nominal rating doesn't say anything at all about how much energy you can actually put into the motor for a short period of time or for that matter what happens if you put more energy than the nominal rating for a long period of time!  Nothing.  Nada.  Zip.  Ultimately, a motor's power is determined by its ability to shed heat.  It's entirely possibly and even reasonable to run a 750 watt motor at 1500 watts for a short period of time.  It may well be possible to run that motor at 1000 watts continuous.

Power simply doesn't work the way this foolishness assumes.

An addition issue is that most bicycle electric motors are brushless DC motors. They use a controller that makes the motor run and controls the amount of energy sent to the motor.  These controllers are generally programmable.  Many have settings that allow the user to set the power level.  Some may be consistent with the 750 watt limit and others not.

There's another somewhat more serious problem with the 750 watt foolishness.  It doesn't regulate behaviour!  It's instructive to note that we don't regulate motor vehicles this way.  Rather we recognize that some motor vehicles need and have large engines.  Others don't.  So we quite sensibly regulate behaviour.  You can't drive faster than; you must stop at red lights, etc.

Limiting power, not behaviour, is just plain silly.

The Problem with 20 MPH

In some ways 20 mph is actually fairly reasonable in that it regulates behaviour.  But it's not without issues.  Consider riding a bike on a public road with a 45 mph speed limit.  That's actually entirely legal generally.  On a country road with low traffic not an issue.  But how about on a suburban commute route at rush hour with heavy traffic in both directions?  Experience shows that that is worth your life and possibly the lives of others on the road.  Everyone would be much safer if the bike also went 45 mph.  Ultimately a 20 mph speed limit doesn't make a great deal of sense by itself.

The Federal Law Applies to Manufacturers

According to Wikipedia:

The use of home-built or kit-assembled e-bikes are instead governed by state and local laws, as federal law does not preempt state and local jurisdictions from enacting their own laws governing the operation of such vehicles on public streets and roadways.

So I add a motor to a bike.  What law applies.  It depends on the state I'm in.  But not all states have laws.  What's legal?  What's not?

What to do?

There's no good answer.  My plan is to use a motor reasonably consistent with low speed operation, ride reasonably, and hope for the best.  In the places that have law, I should be OK.  Other than that I'll just have to take my chances.

Possible Bikes

I've been looking at bikes and have tentatively narrowed it down to these (in no particular order):

HP Velotechnik FS 20

http://www.hpvelotechnik.com/produkte/scorpionfs/index_e.html

Positives:

• Full suspension.  Not sure how good it is so I need to go ride one. Fortunately there is a dealer about 1.5 hrs away with one in hand.  Bigger dealer is about 6 hrs away.
• Trike, statically stable
• Very well regarded brand with a fair number of US distributors so service and parts should OK.
• Popular with other tourers with a well proven track record on tours
• Many many after market options that address every imaginable need
• Folds in the middle to make a very small easier to transport/ship package
  

Negatives

• Standard electric assist is EU focused; low power, low speed; limited range so I'll have to add my own.
• Front suspension uses spring/elastomer McPherson mechanism with 2.4 in of travel.  I rode an elastomer suspension Ice trike and don't find that the elastomers did a good job of damping road vibration. That said, I've not had a chance to ride this bike.
• Limited single track or off road options.

Steintrikes Wildone

Dealer in Maine with some remarkable videos http://www.velomobiles.net/wildfire/steintrikes/steintrikes.htm#wo

Manufacturers sites (I think): http://www.bike-revolution.at/ or http://www.steintrikes.de/.  Manufacturer may be Serbian company.

Might be the company site: http://www.steintrikes.com/about_us.php

Robert Stein seems to be owner and designer: https://grabcad.com/robert.stein--1

Trikeasylum article: https://trikeasylum.wordpress.com/company-information/specs-n-z/steintrikes/ seems to be the manufacturer.

There is an interesting article with many detailed photos here http://www.mytripjournal.com/travel-768766-hatch-opening-wheel-bents-seat-photo-untitled-dragonfly.

There is an interesting touring video/photos here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp5TNS1ycKo.

Positives

• Full suspension with outstanding travel range (check out the videos).  I had a chance to ride one and the ride is VERY comfortable.
• Trike, statically stable
• Folding boom helps reduce length somewhat.  There is also an option for a folding rear wheel but there appear to be issues with removing the seat.  It's not entirely clear that folding works well.

Negatives

• Not well known in us but appears very well built.  Since most of the things that are liable to fail are standard components I'm not
• Not clear that folding is really functional.
• Unclear if there is any support.  There is a dealer (of sorts) in Maine but it seems more of a hobby as the guy deals out of his house and has no real shop.  On a positive note, it's unlikely that any of the unique components would ever need replacement.
• Limited single track or off road options. 

Outrider USA

http://outriderusa.com/

Originally I was drawn to this trike for several reasons.  It is VERY solidly built on a modified KMX frame, has a VERY powerful motor (4KW), and a VERY big batters (2KW).  I was able to ride one in NH and all I can say is WOW!.  But the bike has no suspension and at the speeds it is capable of the ride is rather harsh except on very smooth pavement.  For the TransAm that's a deal breaker.

The company has a new model in development with suspension!  It should be available later this year so I've kept them on the list of possible bikes for now.  That said I have some concerns since the firms track record for engineering is a bit spotty (the first Alpha had some design defects that were addressed in the second so I wonder how solid the first suspension Alpha will be; delivery dates were missed for the previous models).  Additionally, this model does not fold so shipping is an issue.

Notwithstanding all of that the bike has much to offer so I plan to track it while looking at other options.

Azub 6

http://www.azub.eu/azub-5-five-recumbent-bike/

Positives

• Very well regarded touring bike.  Firm is noteworthy for focus and testing of this model as a long distance tourer.
• Bike - It's easier to transport on a bike rack and to ship than a trike.  People are more likely to recognize it as a bike, not something they're unfamiliar with.  Easier to get into/out of motel rooms.
• Low enough slung that it can be easily straddled while stopped.
• Potentially more easily seen than a trike.  Trikes are low to the ground, drivers aren't accustomed to seeing them and often just don't.  Being seen is important and this bike is rather taller and more likely to be seen.
• Easy battery placement.  There is a under slung luggage rack that provides a very convenient place to mount batteries low in the frame so handling should remain good. 
• Fair to good single track and off road options.

Negatives

• Bike not trike.  Old guys can fall over and my sense of balance was slightly compromised when I broke my back and neck.  That said, I am still able to ride a conventional bike.
• Nearest dealer is 6 hrs away

Conclusion

Don't really have one.  I'll need to actually see & ride an HP Velo and Azub then I should be able to make a decision.  The bike decision needs to be made concurrent with the electric assist decision as the two need to work together.

Updates

• Added single track and off road

Planning

I've been thinking about the trip for some while and have some ideas about how I'd like it to work.  Not plans as such but notions about what is important.

It seems to me that the trick to planning a trip of this sort is to get the big essential stuff reasonably right without getting locked into a plan or involved with so many details that you don't actually get to go.

With that in mind here is the rough outline:

• Follow the classic Trans American Route - It's frequently enough ridden that there is considerable support infrastructure along the way.  The route is well known and there is a great deal of rider provided information about it.  Also, it's the 'original' classic route.
• Electric assist - While I'm in good health, I'm no longer 30 or 40 something.  In particular, my knees have seen better days and some assist, particularly going up hill is not just prudent, it's a clearly good idea.  Electric assist comes in lots of flavours and I'll need to do a bit of research to pick one that will work for me.  Also there are some legal issues depending on what state you are in.  Is it a bicycle or a motorcycle or what?  Do you need insurance, etc.?  Electric bicycles are still somewhat new in the US so there remain many open questions. 
• Ride a recumbent bike - I own and still ride several traditional diamond frame bikes.  When I ride much more that 20 miles or so my wrist, neck, shoulders, and but hurt.  It's not a big deal as I recover in a few days.  However, I don't want to ride hurting every day for several months.  Recumbent are VERY comfortable and that's a big plus.  For those not familiar with recumbents, they look more or less like this:
    
  
• Trike or bike - I'm still somewhat undecided but am leaning toward a trike.  There are several reasons. Trikes are statically stable.  You don't have to be moving to stay upright.  It's easier to stop and take a picture. On the downside trikes are a bit more expensive, a bit less bike like, a bit harder to get into room, and rather more difficult to transport to/from the start/finish.  Trikes look something like this:

  

  Trike.  Some fold making transportation easier.

• Full suspension - See above.  Once you've been on a well suspended bike that smooths out road noise and big bumps you'll understand why.  When planning to bike for 6 or so hours a day for several months it's about comfort.
• Mostly not camping - I'm still somewhat undecided about this but as a matter of comfort for these old bones I'd like a bed and roof whenever practicable.  That said, there are parts of the route where it's a long way to the next bed and some camping seems unavoidable.
• Unsupported - A number of companies offer partially or fully supported trips. On one hand it would be nice to have the support and others to ride with.  On the other I'd be locked into to someone else’s plan and whoever else is along for the trip.  On balance I think unsupported is preferable.  If I find companionable riders along the way great.  If not then it's really about the experience and people along the way.
• No real schedule. Take as much time as it takes - Most people take about 3 months.  That seems about right. But if it takes longer, it takes longer.  That said, there are some practical issues with weather as the route crosses several mountain ranges.  Some of these have serious weather and snow that is not good for a bike trip.  The route also goes through some very hot climates.  Also not good for biking.
• East to west or west to east - I'm of two minds and haven't really decided.  There are pros and cons for each.  East to west is attractive since the start in on the right coast, I can have some support early in the trip, and get to finish in the west with great scenery to share with others.  The downside is that the mountains need to be crossed in season so there isn't as much time flexibility.  West to east is attractive since I'd get to cross the mountains when the weather is known good, the trip starts with a lot of interesting things, and I get to finish nearer home.  The downside is that the most interesting part of the trip is at the beginning not the end, and there is little chance for early support. On balance I leaning slightly toward east to west.

Trans America Bike Trip

I've been thinking about possibly riding the Trans America Bike Trail (http://www.adventurecycling.org/…/adven…/transamerica-trail/) for several years.

Why? Because! Lots of reasons. At some level, though, if you have to ask they won't make much sense. But here are a few.

• Travel: I've been fortunate in life to have travelled a bit. Much of it by air. It's quick and generally (or it used to be) convenient. But you don't really see much beyond the aluminium tube and airports when you fly, and, of course, your destination. You certainly don't experience the world you fly over. Travel by car is a bit better. Even so mostly what you see is interstate highway and scenery going by at speed while sealed in an air conditioned cocoon. Every few hours you get to experience a gas station or wayside restaurant. One is much the same as another and of course you need to get back on the road to get to your destination so you don't really experience much.  Still, cars are a bit better than flying but even so you don't really get much by way of experience of the places you drive through.
  
  Travelling by bicycle appeals precisely because it is slow and you are, of necessity, exposed to the places you travel through. Because it is slow you are not going to get anywhere fast and thus there is no particular penalty for stopping to experience a place and interact with locals. You can smell the place, feel its weather, notice details and meet far more people along the way.

• Experiences: I've always been one of the subspecies of humans who enjoy the new and change. At some level we all enjoy new experiences, a new restaurant, a new vacation destination, etc. Riding across the country is certain to provide many new experiences.

• Physical challenge: The trip is 4228 miles so there is a real physical challenge involved. Succeeding in a real physical challenge is certainly appealing. While I'm no longer a young man I'm still in reasonably good heath. There will undoubtedly be physical challenges but people older than I and in rather poorer health have successfully done the trip.
• Adventure: Of course, there is also the adventure of it. For those who don't know why adventure is important and valuable, I've not much to offer. For those who do know why, I don't need to explain.

At any event I think the reasons are good enough to at east consider the notion. So I joined the Adventure Cycling Association. We'll see what happens.