We asked regular ebike commuter Brie Fulton for tips on buying, and riding, an ebike for commuting to and from the main Berkeley Lab campus, steep hills and all. She uses her ebike to get to work and to drop off her children at school.
Elements: People seem to zoom up the Hill on bikes and they’re barely breaking a sweat. They’re riding an ebike. What is it like commuting to work on an ebike?
Brie Fulton: It’s fun! I use help when I need it, but don’t when I want to get my heart rate up. For me, it’s faster than driving due to parking and traffic. The ride wakes me up so I’m ready for work when I arrive, and when I get home, I feel happier than if I had driven. I have a cargo bike and transport my children with me. My son complains when I pick him up in the car saying the bike is “way better.”
Elements: What should I look for in an ebike for commuting to Berkeley Lab? What specifications are important?
Brie: I chose a mid-drive because the gears are integrated with the motor and it’s good for getting up steep hills. The size of the battery is critical since it determines range. Batteries are rated in watt-hours, and hills eat up more of the charge than riding on flat land, so the minimum battery size should be 250 watt-hours to get up the hill. Look for a good warranty and consider how it will get serviced. Disc brakes are great for going down the hill.
Elements: What’s one thing you would tell a new ebike commuter that you wish others had told you?
Brie: Research (https://electricbikereview.com is a great site), but don’t feel like you have to understand all the components and specs before trying an ebike.
On my bike, I tried to stay away from cars by hugging the side of the road. On the ebike, I can take up the lane when I need to since I can go with the flow of traffic in most instances. This is much safer for me and my kids.
Go to the transportation webpage for more information on ebikes.