What do you think, DL?

Depends where you live OP. I use my bike a lot for errands but since I live in the midwest, in winter it's not ideal. I live in a dense urban area so riding in the streets navigating cars and pedestrians is required, so a wide bike like that would make it more difficult. If you don't have those conditions, go for it. My big-tired, solid-built "urban street bike" with disc brakes was around $600. (Disc brakes are best for wet sloppy streets.)

I used to bicycle as a hobby.1) You have to lock it up every time with a good lock. 2) You have to maintain the bike - the wheels, chain, etc. 3) You need waterproofs for bad weather, you'll have to buy saddle bags, lights for when it's dark, etc.

OP- If you want to reduce your carbon footprint than you should live in a community that does not necessitate the need for mechanized transportation.

Building and using that electric bicycle still uses up natural resources to build and to use.

It looks safe and comfy, OP. Go for it but take good care of it and wear a helmet (channeling your mom here)

R3 has a point but OP's bike is better than using a car for every little errand, right? We can't all live within walking/manual biking distance of where we need to go.

R1, I'd be able to use a bike like this from about April till November. That's not the whole year but still a good seven months or so.

Thanks, R2. I do bike for a hobby as well so I know about basic bike maintenance. This bike has an electric motor so I'd have to read up on them though. The motor appeals to me since I live about 20 km away from my work and there's a few steep hills on the way!

R3, I wish I could, but that's not possible for me right now.

Thanks R4. Unfortunately I do need a car for a lot of things but I'd like to reduce the number of times that I actually have to drive.

If weather is not a factor, absolutely yes.

I have an electric scooter which I got during the pandemic. Pretty sure it’s paid for itself with the subway/bus fares I’ve saved, and I don’t have to stuff into a tube full of germy people as often.

I live in Canada, R6, so I'd be able to use this about seven, months of the year. Mid November to March would be out, but I'd be happy to reduce my car usage the rest of the year!

But can it handle your massive weight, OP?

WHY don't you try an electric motorbike?

This would get stolen so fast in my area. Get two locks.

OP that’s not a bike, it’s a trike. If you live in a retirement community in Arizona or Florida, by all means get one. If you are a great big fat person, get one. But if not, you will look absolutely ridiculous, especially if you ride to work or shopping. Get a real bicycle, without a motor, and get some exercise.

I have a bike, I'm not a great big fat person OR a senior in a retirement community, R11. This bike would be practical for me, why would it look ridiculous?

That big ass bicycle looks cool, OP. It's like a tricycle on steroids. I'm serious, man. You're going to have to figure out an alarm system and the whole nine for that because it could very well get stolen quick. Research those things please, OP.

I like bicycles and I'm a really tall Lesbian so I "fit" men's bicycles even though I don't weigh much. I've seen used less sturdy non tricycle versions of those for $400.00. The motors aren't really hard to work with from what I've been told.

Good luck, OP. It all seems cool but please solder in some sort of alarms and get two really sturdy locks which can't be cut. Times are tough and thieves work quick.

When was the last time you saw anyone under 80 riding a tricycle? That’s why 🤷🏼‍♂️

I don't know, R14, but I don't see this particular bike and think only seniors would ride it.

Looks cool. I almost want one, but the SUV people around here would mow me down.

Weather and road conditions are your only limitations.

Well, that and learning how to work on the whole thing yourself.

Is it rechargeable or what?

Here's the website, I really don't think these bikes are exclusively for old retired people.

Yes, R17. It gets 60-80 km per charge.

The wide rear will require you to be further out in the travel lane and could make you harder to pass. Given the stupidity of people passing me when I’m on my bike, I would be really worried about that. It will also make it harder to park. Many bike racks would not easily accommodate this wider bike and, in the absence of a rack, I could see trouble chaining this to streetlights or signposts.

Unless you’re going to be using this to transport large loads often, like groceries, I’d go for a smaller electric bike instead.

Too big, impractical on American streets and hard to lock up. Get something with a smaller profile.

Price out replacement battery, and don't park it like a bicycle. Park it like a motorbike

Biking is always dangerous. I wonder how loud this runs, because as a truck driver I like to be given the heads-up that loud Harleys and such provide to clue me to a biker's presence so I can be extra precautious around them.

A used Vespa would be much cooler, OP.

Okay guys, I think I've changed my mind on the bike. What do you all think of this one? I like the cargo trike better, but yeah, it might be hard to navigate city streets with it.

Looks better. The wheels are nice a wide, and it looks very stable. The foot rests on the back wheel will allow you to carry a passenger short distances, though saddle bags might be a good addition. Make sure the second seat platform accommodates that sort of think.

You've got to have a strong self-image not to mind looking like this...

Love it! Do it OP. I was considering an electric bicycle but I'd never thought of an e-trike before.

Ok so you'll pedal too. Which means a single charge will last how long?

TREAT YO SELF!

I guess it could be worse...

Tony, what do you think of the step-thru bikes? I also like this one.

R27, it says that the charge lasts 60-80 kms.

You're absolutely correct, R13, but it's "quickly"

Get it and Progressive insurance. And a helmet. blinking reflectors and a neon vest for safety.

R30, I like that one better. The cargo rack on the back will be much more useful and the riding posture seems more upright than the other. I think an upright riding position allows for looking around and being aware of what’s going on to your sides much easier. It is a little harder to pedal though. The mudguards are also a little puny looking compared to the other one though. The front one looks short but who knows. The step-through design might be a little less stable, frame-wise but the seem to have compensated by using bigger tubes for the frame.

It looks cool, if you want one get one but don't stop by the DL and try to convince us it's because you want to reduce your carbon footprint. Just making that thing is doubling what you already did by buying a car, pulse you need power for that thing, again more consumption. If you had bought a bike you had to peddle with your own two feet or moved close to your work then your carbon footprint excuse would have been a lot more believable.

Carbon footprint? Right, you keep telling yourself that.

I think a really important an obvious thing is the bike has the physically fit you correctly. Test ride it.. Just because it is electric it could fit poorly. Make sure it feels right. Check that it feels stout enough that the brakes are gonna work for a heavy bike. It has to roll right and feel good in your hands. If it doesn't find one that does.

I agree with R34, it's fine, and it will probably save you money, if gas goes through the roof even more than it has, now. It's fun to ride in the open air. All bikes, motorized or not, are fun that way. But it's not saving the planet.

It's all right to spend money on things that increase your general level of happiness. Buy it.

Check on what is considered 'street legal' where you live, especially if you want to drive it to work.

[quote] don't stop by the DL and try to convince us it's because you want to reduce your carbon footprint

Why not? OP makes a valid point. Everyone should do their part in the biggest cross that faces us all.

OP you may marry me 💍

Why Not? Do you have reading comprehension issues? A motor powered bike is actually WORSE for the environment if he already has a car and wants to ADD to his collection of power consuming vehicles. Doing his part would actually make his carbon footprint bigger not smaller.

[quote] If you are a great big fat person, get one. But if not, you will look absolutely ridiculous, especially if you ride to work or shopping.

OP obviously does not give a fuck.

Do what makes you happy, OP. However, I would caution against buying something that you won't end up using very often. Shopping in the 2 wheeler, I don't know. How much can you carry.

I used to ride a bicycle (not motorized) for transportation (I had no car). I so much more enjoy my car for shopping.

The second bike is much more dignified than the trike, OP. More butch, less Baby Huey. And the second model’s frame has ample room for caftan flow. Post photos of your maiden voyage.

I have a small carbon footprint 49 cc gas-powered Buddy scooter. It tops out at 45 mi. per hr. and gets about 80 mi. per gallon. You're gonna be lookin' like somebodies eccentric granny on a trike. Not only that, but an electric trike flips very easily making turns, and it's heavy so all you are going to get is about 13-15 mi. between battery charges and even less if you live in a hilly neighborhood. Riding around town you are going to be restricted to driving on sidewalks or the side of the road where broken hubcaps and all the junk that falls off people's cars are either going to flatten your tires or launch you off your perch and into the air. On my 2yr. old Buddy Scooter I'm 68 yr. old Audry Hepburn a la "Roman Holliday" scooting around the suburban streets in retro shades and a jaunty helmet. Occasionally some frighteningly delicious beast on a Harley pulls up next to me, I lower my shades and say: wanna race? On that Granny trike, they're just gonna blow exhaust in your face.

SMH.

R42 The Buddy looks cute! It just reminds me of a moped or Vespa.

Do whatever you want to do, OP.

We’re not your parents. We’re not your wife or husband.

The bike is a great purchase if you want it.

Granted the manufacturer won't turn other buyers away, but those big clunky trikes are most definitely aimed at the Old Geezer market. Everything about them says OAP, or "my Social Security check arrives the second Tuesday of every month.."

Instead, for half the cost ro less buy yourself a trimmer, less "one foot in the grave" electric bike, one with some portability to it, one that will doesn't require the parking space of a car, one that you can drive up on a sidewalk and park lock up in seconds in a bike rack, one that you can secure a big gay wicker basket to for all your shopping needs.

Alternatively, you've already got a car that you need to keep: why not just organize a Big Shopping Day once a week and consolidate the shopping tasks that you would delegate to the the Big Trike?

Do you have children? If not, you're already doing more than most of the world in curbing carbon footprints by not creating new ones (in the U.S., for example, only 16.5% of adults aged =>55 are childless.) If your consumption is even modestly guided by a pick-and-choose focus on conserving resources, you're already doing more than most. Adding a big ugly old geezer trike to your garage fleet doesn't seem any better a world saving device than an aesthetically pleasing one.

Op, are you female? The blue bike is a ladies model as it is missing the cross bar that is required to support the extra weight of most men.

This bike has an ample cargo area, OP.

No, R47. I didn't even notice the missing crossbar till you mentioned it.

Here's the bike I've decided on!

Mine will be black, like this one and I'm going to add saddle bags for the back and a rack for the front.

What could possibly go wrong with this idea?

R50, the only other regular bike commuter in my neighborhood has that exact bike.

I love to ride and have been biking in Chicago for over 30 years now, but I know the biking season is really between mid May through part of October and some of those rainy days are unsuitable for biking.

I also refuse to ride on city streets because its dangerous and cars really cant see you, instead I have my bike in the back of my car and take it to the lakefront to ride the miles of lakefront trails. I also never leave it locked up anywhere because it will get stolen.

I would just put a milk crate on the back. It will hold a sack of groceries with a bungee cord strapped over it. Easier than saddlebags.

You can’t leave this on the street for any length of time in my city.

You would bring it in with you at work and that’s common where I work. Your apartment building may/may not have parking in the garage, but few let you roll a non medical device through the hallways every day.

To run errands and park for short periods of time, you use three different cable/ULock setups. You always take the 10-15 pound battery with you.

Recumbent bikes are too fucking vulnerable for mixed use streets - they sit too low and morons in tanks don’t see them.

OP, since you’re investing in an expensive bike you should really get a super secure lock, and another for the wheel if it comes off. There are also insurance policies for bikes, your home owner’s insurance will likely not cover theft of your bike away from home.

carbon footbrint is indoctrinated loser talk!

You go, gurl!

OP, if you are still around, can you report back on how the bike went for you?

I’m considering an ebike (but not a trike) as well. I am biking now while I’m temporarily carless, and while I enjoy the morning commute, about 30 minutes, I’m less enamored of the trip home, when I’m tired as fuck and the route has a lot more uphill terrain.

I’m also up north (not Canada but Minnesota) and would have similar seasonal constraints as I’m not a hardy winter biker.

Anything to share from your first year of ebiking experience?

I'd suggest seeing if you could rent one first, just to try it out for a month of trips to the market, etc, to see if you like it.

Also, what's the weather like where you are in the extremes of winter and summer?

Finally, I've heard about battery theft from e-bikes in my area.

Get this one. This is the standard, solid e bike everyone around me is getting. It has a low step through, includes lights, racks, and since it isn’t a trike you can use it more safely on the street and bike paths.

Op, good luck on the road