Due to shipping delays, it finally arrived this week. It is painted a flat black color and has a removable battery pack that can be recharged. Information on this kind of bike can be found by searching 'ecotric'.
The bike required some assembly The owner of the local bike shop put the seat and handle bars on it and checked it out. It was good to go.
Duane did a test ride to the Target store about two miles away, where he bought a backpack to hold necessities for mostly fishing expeditions.The bike performed perfectly.
On his way home, Duane passed the Sheriff's office that is close by his apartment. There were three deputies outside and they called Duane over. Turns out none of them had ever seen a Bat Bike before and were curious about it. Duane showed them the bike and explained how his stroke had left him unable to drive a car. The numbness in one of his legs makes riding a regular bike difficult, so he found the Bat Bike online and thought it might be the answer to his transportation problems. The battery takes over so pedaling is unnecessary.
One of the deputies asked if he could take the bike for a spin around the block and Duane said he could. Duane had a good test run and a nice conversation with the local law.
But all cops are supposed to be bad - at least that is what we are expected to believe. I guess our local sheriff deputies didn't get that memo.
Did he get a Bat Bag? LOL.
ReplyDeleteNice that he now has wheels. And good for the men in blue to chat him up and take a spin on it.
Just in from the garden. Splendid day. Pulled my garlic and also harvested two itty bitty artichokes.
Cheers SJ in Vancouver BC
SJ...No Bat Bag, but I really wish I had thought of that!! Nice you could get into the garden. Way too hot here for any such fun.
DeleteOh, that is just what I need! I love riding a bicycle but had to give it up years ago with a hip injury. You and Duane may have given me the answer to a problem. Is it legal for a senior citizen to ride a bicycle without a license...just checkin'
ReplyDeleteCW...I think maybe the electric bike might be a help for many. I don't know about Iowa, but here in Minnesota, fishing licenses aren't required for seniors, so I am guessing bike riding licenses aren't either.
DeleteCW, there are A LOT of electric options for bikes and trikes now, all street legal. A lot of 'em have incredible range, too! Poke around. You'll find something you like!
DeleteThanks, Pete! :)
Deleteelectric bikes are big in Fla. Saw a couple of guys with small gas motors on their bikes too. I remember when mopeds where a hot item. Most cops are nice out here in the country. stay safe when all hell breaks lose at sunset
ReplyDeleteRob...I had not seen an electric bike until Duane showed me. Mopeds had a gas powered motor, didn't they? This one is nice in that it is quiet ad doesn't require fuel.
DeleteIt was an uneventful night here last night. I haven't as yet checked to see if that was true elsewhere.
It is great he can be mobile again.
ReplyDeleteLinda...H is happy about being able to get to his favorite fishing spot again. :)
DeleteI suspect cops are about half and half, but even the bad ones can act nice when they want to.
ReplyDeleteGorges...In the 24 years I have lived in this town, I have yet to run across a bad cop. I have always been treated with respect in any situation where I needed to deal with them. I think that is true for most smaller or rural areas here.
DeleteHow wonderful for your son, Vicki! God bless!
ReplyDeleteLindaG...He sure is enjoying being mobile again! Hope all is well with you and yours.
DeleteGod is blessing us with rain. :)
DeleteGlad to be here to enjoy it, even if I think we don't need it, haha. :)
It has been hot and humid here. Rain would truly be welcome! Enjoy your showers!!
DeleteAs soon as I read the words "bat bike" my mind kicked in with a long string of "na, na, na, ...." and then ended with the words "bat bike." You know the tune.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to suggest a good set of blinky lights mounted forward and aft.
We use the Cygolite Dash 460 forward, and the Cygolite Pro 200 aft.
If not already done, add a small repair kit to the bike with attention to the inevitable flats.
I think the far majority of cops respond to the way they are treated. The internet says it's called mirroring behavior.
And now I have that 'na, na, na' tune stuck in my head. Thank you ever so much, John. :)
DeleteI don't know if Duane has blinky lights or a repair kit, but I will mention both to him. Thanks for the suggestion.
I think you are right about the way cops respond to civilians. If a person is engaged in stupid and illegal behavior, one can not expect to be treated the same as someone who is respectful and polite. But then, common sense behavior doesn't seem to be in any great abundance lately, does it.
I'm thinking that the least common sense to day is common sense.
DeleteJohn...I have to admit it took me a minute to understand your common sense comment. It is hot and humid here today and I am not sure all brain cells are functioning. That's my story and I am sticking to it! And - your comment is spot on.
DeleteMy daughter has one in Japan. It allows them to get by with one car and helps her move around with a toddler. I took a ride on it and if I remember correctly it assisted my peddling because I didn't even realize I was going up hill.
ReplyDeleteGrace and peace
Pumice...I am not surprised to learn of this kind of bike being used in Japan. I believe that in Asian and European countries, bicycles are a more common form of transportation than they are here.
DeleteI am not sure exactly how this bike works, but Duane says that even with the limited use of his arm and leg, it is easy for him to operate and fun to ride. We live at the bottom of a 10 block long hill and peddling up it would be nearly impossible for my son on a standard bike, where he says the Bat Bike took him up the hill with ease. Lovely invention, this electric bike.
Those bikes are great, Vicki. They've pretty much filled the vacuum left when mopeds disappeared. Remember those? A lot of the seniors out here in the wild, wild West ride around on electric trikes. They go about 15 MPH and have a range of around 15-20 miles.
ReplyDeleteWhat y'gotta have is the Bat BELT! At work I carry a Leatherman tool, flashlight, cell phone, and sometimes a ham radio walkie-talkie. Everyone at work laughs... until they need a knife, or a screwdriver, or a light, or...
Pete...I have seen the pedal trikes here but this is the first electric bike in the neighborhood as far as I know. My son says it will do 20 mph but he hasn't had it long enough to know the range. However if it lives up even close to expectations, the owner of the bicycle shop downstairs says he may carry them in his shop.
DeleteI will tell Duane about the Bat Belt. We are often mocked until what we do proves useful. And this applies not only to Bat Belts. :)