Page 16 - Fall 2020 CMTA Report

ELECTRIC BICYCLES:

Transportation, Mobility and Laughs

BY DR. GREG STILWELL, DPM through the various gears. There is gear is easy to tap, but to go faster
also a “pedal-assisted” type, which in a higher gear requires significant
never thought I’d ride a has the twist grip throttle, but the thumb strength. I used the heel of
bike again.” This phrase bike senses and propels you for- my hand to push the high gear
is uttered over and over ward even faster. I don’t like the lever, with mostly good success.
again by people who try pedal assist, mostly because the I have CMT1A and lumbar
“I e-bikes, as I recently did. “boost” can also be activated while scoliosis and the rental bike
All I can say is: You gotta love a turning a corner, which can be allowed me to keep my back
bicycle with a throttle. The cruiser scary and probably dangerous if straight and long, while still being
bike I tried had seven gears, but you have decreased balance or lack able to breathe freely. The legs get
twisting the throttle handle kicked of experience with the bike accel- some workout just pedaling, and
on an electric motor that magically erating through a turn. it’s soothing to be able to keep a
boosted me forward. Freedom! What a gratifying feeling it is regular pedal cadence going while
Fresh air! The fragrances of the to be able to pedal up a super using the throttle to even out the
outdoors! No mask required, but steep hill and keep the bike going effort required during uphill slopes
a helmet is probably prudent. around 11 miles per hour. The or acceleration.
Various types of e-bikes are throttle boost can lug that heavy I also rented a mountain bike
available. My favorite provides just bike up the hill while you are still type e-bike but didn’t like it nearly
a throttle boost, with pedals that getting some workout in your legs as well as the “cruiser” with the
still propel the bike by adjusting by doing “supplemental pedaling.” step-through top tube. These used
I decided to rent before buy- to be called “girls bikes.” The
ing and had a Pedago cruiser more open frame makes it much
delivered to my doorstep before easier to take off from a stop and
setting off on a hard surface river to get on and off. The extra weight
trail on a Saturday afternoon. of most e-bikes can be offset by
There were quite a few walkers, having a well-balanced and easy
bikers, strollers and even a few step-through configuration so that
recumbent bikes out on the trail, there’s a sense of ease and grace
and it was really fun to pass them while mounting and dismounting.
quickly and effortlessly. The speed Try several different e-bikes
limit for e-bikes on the trail was before deciding if one is right for
10 miles per hour, but it was easy you. They range in price from sev-
to exceed that speed while passing eral thousand dollars to $20,000,
or even going up a hill. but riding one could be your
Imagine if your leg strength is primary source of motorized trans-
compromised, you’ve had surgery portation, depending on your
or have a heart or lung condi- locality’s bike paths and overall
tion—and still being able to bike friendliness to bicycles. There are
15 miles in an hour and a half, trailers, extra bags (panniers), bas-
and get off feeling refreshed. You kets and other utility devices to
control how much effort you exert carry home groceries, take a pet
via the gears, but more impor- along or store gear for extended
tantly, by how much “juice” you outings.
give the electric motor with your So get on a bike again! Have
twist-grip throttle. Hand strength fun out there! Laugh and be merry,
isn’t important for the throttle, but and forget for a little while you
changing the gears can be chal- have CMT or mobility issues. h
Greg Stilwell with his e-bike lenging while negotiating a busy Dr. Stilwell is a member of the CMTA
bike path. The button to lower the Advisory Board.

16 THE CMTA REPORT FALL 2020