E-bike/Scotter/Car cost review
In Thailand I have always driven a Honda Wave 125 Scooter. Over there, a new one is only about $1500, but I don't know what scooters cost in the USA. It would be a lot more useful than a motorized bicycle. Very easy to handle at anything less than 40 mph and can easily go faster than that if you want.
But you would need a license and liability insurance (which are presumably very low cost for a scooter). Another difference is that maintaining them is super cheap in Thailand because everyone has them, a repair store on each corner. But I am guessing it is more of a hassle in the USA.
Kramer
Here are some numbers, cost per mile w/o initial capital, as I own all three. I just spent $900 of my scooter for its 12000 mile service, includes all fluids changed, new tires, new drive belt.
Auto = .19cents
Scooter = .07cents
E-bike = .03 cents (includes $500 battery replacement after 1200 charges[20miles ea.] @ .10cents per charge)
e-bike comparison to scooter
Pro's
> Is considered a bike, 20mph limit(USA), and can go anywhere
> Battery can be removed and charged easily
> No license/insurance/excise tax
> It can be brought on to a train or bus
> Short learning curve - everyone in the family can use it
> RV/Boat full timers it can be easily transported with no real weight consideration
> Can be recharged with a battery re-charging solar/wind panel
> When the charge is expired you can realistically peddle - with 18 to 21 gears
> Re-introduces older/injured people to healthy life style choices
> Quiet
> Low environmental impact
> Qualifies for the 10% EV low speed tax credit, from what I have read, USA Only
> Cost can be recouped if your employer is in the bike to work program, $20/month and Bike voucher, USA only
Con's
> Limited range - 20miles goes by fast
> Takes 2.5 hrs to charge, mine does w/ 3.5 amp charger
> 20mph limits Bike to non highway type roads - my scooter is a 250cc and can hit 85mph - I drive on the highway with it - something I try to avoid
> Can be noisy
> Produces 75% more ozone depleting chemicals then a car
Check this YouTube video in China - San Fransisco has been the first city that I have seen with dedicated bike lanes. If cities want to be cleaner and more pleasant they need to enable this and other forms of mass transit from a greater range, to include nearby suburbs.
YouTube - Popular E-Bike in China
Just my 2 cents