I’m moving back to the US soon and hoping we can be a 1 car family. I’ll probably be living within 1-10 miles of work. Thinking about getting a bicycle for the commute and dual advantage of exercise. Of course, depending on the distance and the area is a bit hilly, I’ll probably have to shower on each end. Car traffic is congested but there are bike lanes, hence also looking into an hybrid bike and/or moped. Would probably use it for trips to the store as well.
I’ve got a pink electric moped here in flat shanghai, and use it all the time to zip around the neighborhood, drop the oldest bambina off at school and go to work within about a 3 mile radius.
Anyhoo, if you have experiences on one of these, likes/dislikes, challenges in the US (if any), etc.
I would just like to note that if and when the batteries go dead on an electric bicycle, you are stuck with a really crappy, very heavy bicycle.
I had a job where I rode 12 miles to work, and I loved it. No need to shower when I got to work, just change into my street clothes and I was ready for work.
Electric bikes are for the old and/or the infirm. A wretched mode of transportation that no self-respecting American male should consider. Mopeds are sort of embarassing to be seen on but I guess this may not be such a big deal if you’re past such considerations. Both are immeasurably inferior to cycling. If I lived 6miles, say, from work, my order of preference would be:
Cycling > bus or train (if available) > car or motorbike > walking > moped > taxi > hitchhiking > calling in sick > electric bike
Mopeds are like fat chicks.
They’re both fun to ride until your friends see you on one!
Not being ashamed of either, I have 2 50cc scooters. Actual mopeds (with the pedals) are pretty hard to find here in the states. They’re great for a 10 mile radius, get about 80mpg, and can park anywhere. I also have 1000+cc Ducatis, and other bikes as well. Frankly, the scooter gets me to work or the store almost as quickly in traffic.
If you’re used to the moped, which I assume is a 50cc, you’ll do fine here, as long as you accept the speed and hill limitations.
Thanks for the replies. I think I need to figure out my neighborhood and the commute to work first. Probably a bicycle though.
ducati - I love it. You have not one but two little sewing machines and a big ass Ducati. I assume the 50 cc scooters are considered as road vehicles (and can’t use bike lanes)?
Yes, a scooter would be considered a vehicle, and would need registration, plates, tags, insurance, etc. You’d also need to get a motorcycle endorsement, but it’s easy to get. I’m not sure what the laws are on mopeds and electric bicycles. Don’t worry about what other people think about your mode of transportation, or if it’s not manly enough or not. Spending money on something just to impress strangers is a waste of money if you don’t care.
A coworker of mine got a kit to put a small engine on his ordinary bicycle. He decided to ride to work one day. Generally his commute took a bit over an hour by car. That day he spent 3 hours on the bike - each way. Apparently it didn’t go very fast! One day with a 6 hour commute was enough for him.
I assume the 50 cc scooters are considered as road vehicles (and can’t use bike lanes)?