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Pedego aims to make bikes fun again by adding electricity
October 29th, 2009, 6:03 am · 14 Comments · posted by Ian Hamilton
I have to admit it, the guys at Pedego are right - it’s hard to frown after riding a bike.
Pedego invited me to test ride one of their electric bikes. I’m 23 and haven’t been on a bike since I was a teen.
The self-funded Irvine-based startup has been shipping a line of electric bicycles for around six months. To be clear, they ship electric bicycles and not scooters or motorcycles. Here’s a short video demonstrating how one of their bikes works:
I hopped onto one of their cruiser style bikes around noon in work attire, which means slacks and a long sleeve shirt, and rode around two miles under the sun.
Riding a Pedego bike as a plain old bicycle is as easy as putting your foot on the pedal and pushing. But if you’re tired or just want to relax, simply turn the throttle and you start to draw from the battery. Then you zoom along at up to 20 mph. The batteries on the bikes, incidentally, can carry you 20 miles on a single charge.
Even under the sun in my work clothes I didn’t break a sweat or even feel hot. That’s because the moment I didn’t feel like pedaling I just went over to the throttle.
The cruiser style bike I tested also allows one to ride in a relaxed position with the pedals and handlebars placed just right. The bikes are similar in style to those used in the UCI ZotWheels bike share program (though the UCI bikes don’t benefit from the addition of electricity). The propulsion system attached to the rear wheel of the Pedego bike is apparently frictionless, using magnets to push the wheel around. As soon as you hit a hill you don’t feel like climbing under your own power, just go for the throttle and enjoy the scenery.
For someone who doesn’t bike regularly, like me, it really hits a nostalgic nerve. And that’s what Pedego is aiming for.
Their target demographic is not the spandex wearing hardcore purists who are looking for biking performance. They’re also not necessarily going for the people who are looking to get rid of their car for the daily commute even though that’s the way electric bikes might be used in Europe. Not only that, but students probably don’t have the money for the $1000+ bikes made by Pedego and they also have to deal with the possibility their bikes will be stolen on campus.
Instead, Pedego is looking to sell fun.
And execs see the baby boomer generation as the people who most likely have both the means and the desire to get on a bike again.
“If you didn’t have the motor you wouldn’t be on a bike. You’d be driving,” said Terry Sherry, who co-founded Pedego with Don DiCostanzo in 2007.
Both men are alumni of Cal State Fullerton and they talk about what electric bikes can offer to that generation in a way that’s reminiscent of a pivotal scene from Field of Dreams. You probably know it.
“They’ll pass over the money without even thinking about it,” says Terence Mann to Ray Kinsella. “For it is money they have and peace they lack.”
Of course, James Earl Jones was talking to Kevin Costner about baseball and not bicycles, but I think the analogy fits.
“A lot of people get that nostalgic feeling you had when you were a kid when you’ve got that shiny new toy on Christmas and you’re the envy of all your friends,” said Ryan Sandberg, in charge of market development for Pedego.
However, the dollar amount Terence Mann talked about people paying for the joy of watching a baseball game was only $20. To enjoy the nostalgia engendered by one of these electric bikes, like the one I rode, will set a person back $1,595. Pedego also has a more affordable collapsable bike that might fit on a bus, but that bike loses some of the fun factor because it just doesn’t ride the same way as a cruiser and would probably be a better fit for someone who needs to make a daily commute.
Still, price aside, DiCostanzo believes there’s little direct competition. There are many other electric bike companies, scooter companies and even the segway that might represent potential competition. He just doesn’t think those manufacturers are hitting the same demographic as Pedego or marketing it the right way.
The fun way.
“Our biggest competition isn’t really competition. It’s awareness,” said DiCostanzo.
Well, now you’re aware. What do you think?
UPDATE: Santa-ana based AmpedBikes designs conversion kits for just under $500 that allow you to make an existing bike an e-bike. Check out their system at Ampedbikes.com.
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Love e-bikes! My sister has had one for a few years and after I tried it out I knew I had to have one. Both my daughter and I now have the iZip (by Currie, they run less than $500) mountain bikes that we mostly use for campouts.
The only downside, e-bikes are heavy. You would be hard pressed to use the pedal only option unless you are on level ground or a down slope. Good luck trying to ride one uphill.
Would I buy an electric bike?
Only if it had a real long cord.
The neighbor had a 1hp gasoline engine on his bike and he said he can go 25 mph and 70 mpg
I like the chain saw engines on the razors.
I think a gas propelled bike requires some level of license or permit? An electric bike does not, as long as it does not exceed 20MPH and is still in the basic form of a bicycle (pedals).
Bike = $150. Electric bike = $1,600. You’re telling me that a small electric motor and a battery cost $1,450??? Gimme a break! You can buy an add on motor and battery for less than $500. If this bike was $500-700 maybe, but for $1,600 NO WAY!
I have an eGo electric bike/scooter that I bought from Electric Cyclery in Laguna Beach. I have had it for a few years now and its the Best. I rode it to work for the month of May. It was great. Saved on Gas and parking. It goes at 23 miles and hours is extremely quiet. has blinkers, horn and a headlight. I found the scooter type was easier to function as the bikes were top heavy with the battery which made it harder to hold when off the bike. Plus they are fun to ride in the summertime
I am probably in the minority here, but to me, unless you have some kind of disability. Buy a regular bike and stop being lazy. This concept is as bad as that Segway, or however you spell it. What? Too lazy to use your feet to walk or in this case your leg muscles to pedal? Oh my goodness you’ll get tired and sweaty, umm, that’s why its called exercise and the country doesn’t get enough as it is. What next? Electric legs to get on the tread mill for you? Geeez.
Bicycles are NOT just for exercise anymore. Electric bicycles are changing the way Americans think about transportation. If you open your mind to idea that a bicycle can get you from point A to point B as an alternative to your car and without the sweaty workout feeling then you can begin to understand the importance and viability of the Electric Bike. Most Americans view bicycles solely as a means to getting fit. BUT we have to start embracing the idea of bicycles as clean, affordable and efficient transportation. Electric bikes make that shifting of attitudes possible. Ride an electric bike one time and your attitude will change forever.
Convert your existing bike with an E-BikeKit Conversion Kit and save a lot of money too.
Fair enough if that’s what you think. I still say it’s for lazy folks. You are right though, it’s not just meant for fitness, it’s meant as transportation. That being said its a cause and effect situation; you bike, you get a work out, you get to point B, clean energy. With an electric bike you get to where you want, no workout, clean energy sort of. Yes it’s better than a car but you need to remember WHERE does the electricity come from. Last I checked those power plants don’t run on good will. Just because the bike runs clean, doesn’t mean the power plant that gave you that electricity does. But again it is what it is. I am not harping on the bike, just the image of it, and a little cost vs. benefit from my own perspective. I’d sooner save the money and get the workout, better for me in the long run. But that’s me and I don’t expect anyone else to think as I do, and yes I will roll my eyes at people that putter along next to me in an electric bike.
2 cents.
Well I don’t know. I’m looking to get my old bike fixed and figure out the local bike paths to start getting some exercise and fun. I have a good friend that I ride with some of the time, but I need to get in shape so we can attempt some paths that are not as level.
I think I’ll stick with the basic pedal power kind, although since I live on sort of a hill with the bike trail down below, it appears that it will take a bit to get to the bike trail. I’d just as soon not have to drive to where I ride.
For now just looking at doing the minimal amount like getting new tubes and possibly tires so that I can ride it. Oh, yeah and remembering how to shift.
People like Ed don’t get it for some reason - usually lack of knowledge I have owned 4 e-bikes in the past 4 years and paid as little as $300 at Pep Boys for a junky one to over $3,000 (a Schwinn).
Like anything else, you get what you pay for. Giant, Trek, Schwinn al have ebikes that cost between $2,100 and $3,200. Pep Boys and Walmart sell crap for a lot less. The Pedego bikes look like a good mix between quality and price.
I ride me ebike almost every day and no Ed, I am not lazy. I get exercise and go much farther than I ever would by mere pedaling. I sure get a lot more exercise that driving my car. Talk to any ebike owner and, if they bought a decent ebike and not a cheap one, they are raving fans. They are usually the smiling riders on the bike paths.
The battery pack is critical - be sure to get Lithium batteries and at least a 450 watt motor if you want to climb hills. Stay away from cheap "kits" to convert your own - most bikes were not designed to carry the weight or handle the torque.
Last thing - sales of ebikes are booming all over the world and the U.S. is finally catching on. Two years ago, I rarely saw another ebike and now I see them daily. I’m glad we now have a local company making them.
My hubby got a ticket for riding his electric scooter by Fashion Island in the bike lane. He was going to work. The cop said not only is his scoter not allowed in the bike lane either are electric bikes. Try to figure out where you can ride this thing. Not on bike paths in certain cities, and not on the street. Turns out it’s mostly on private property. Do the research before you send the money!
Pedego is an awesome company that offers a great product! We are great friends with them and fully support them and the E-bike movement! Our kits are for those that want to use their existing bikes, and make them electric. Contrary to Ed’s belief there are MANY people that ride e-bikes, beside the disabled. You would be surprised Ed on how many people here in OC have e-bikes. Plus they are fun Ed - you should give one a try! You will love it!
Pedego makes a ready to roll out of the box Excellent product. We have 2 of them, I commute with mine. My wife has a bad ankle and knee and with these we can get exercise, get out at the beach and have fun in the sun which we were unable to do before.
There is a post above from a guy that tries to take over everyones topic. Hes usually slamming everyone around to try and ride their wave. I would stay far and away from anything from E-bikekit. At every turn this guy is trying to rip people off with his poor chinese knock off products.
The federal law states that these are considered LSEV.. The police officer should have been handed his book. Any electrified vehicle under the equivilant of 1hp or 20 mph are considered a standard bicycle.
This is not just federal law but California law