Does Electric Bikes Have Future : Deep Details. || Why People Are Not Buying Electric Bike : Full Analysis.


People have been asking this question continuously whether e-Bikes will prevail in future or not. There are statistics supporting both ends of the discussion. We shall try to analyze that.

There are two types of e-Bikes. The latter type of e-bike can be self-propelled, assisted or independent and reach speeds of over 30 km/h. However, since it is equipped with an automatic driving function, it corresponds to a "motorized bicycle" under the Road Traffic Law.  So it's the same as a moped, so you have to get a license plate, drive with a  license, wear a helmet, and have insurance.   Electric assisted bicycles exceeding 24 km/h are also illegal in Japan. So even if you buy a cool self-driving electric bike sold by Bouncy overseas, unfortunately you can't drive it on public roads in Japan.

                             I asked the manufacturers in Japan, you cannot ride an electric assist bicycle at speeds of 24km/h or more, but will you be able to ride one in the future?  We asked Bridgestone, which has a large share of the bicycle market, the following question. Sae Harashima, Public Relations Manager of Bridgestone Cycle Co., Ltd., will answer. What is an electric assist bicycle?  The electric assist bicycle is a bicycle that uses a motor to assist the human body. Sensors detect pedal movement and support attached motors for easy movement. What do you think about Japan's speed limit of 24 km/h?  In Japan, the main users of electric assisted bicycles are students on the way to school and parents with children.  Recently, elderly people who are not confident in their physical strength use it as a means of transportation.   I think there is a sense of security that is not too fast rather than acceleration. ( Also read )

Key Features

One of the features of the proprietary Bridgestone  electric assist bicycle is two-wheel drive. In  normal electric assist bicycles, it is common to assist the rear wheels. However, the  two-wheel drive bike has a front wheel assist, so it feels like you're being pulled from the front instead of being pushed from behind. You can experience a stable ride with two-wheel drive.   What next?  There are many people who use it every day, so I think there will  be movements aimed at convenience such as tracking range. Recently,  more people are using electric-assisted sports bikes for everyday city riding. (also read my other Article )


                                            City riding on electric bike that combines the strengths of a sports bike and a city bike is easy. Perhaps the most well-known form of transportation is the e-bike so far. With 4,444 daily users, Japan's densely populated metropolitan areas require even more security. I would like to ride a fast electric assisted bicycle overseas, but it seems that it is different from the electric assisted bicycle that is compulsory in Japan.   Electric assist bicycles unique to Japan that continue to evolve to enrich our lives. Currently, the main users of electric bicycles are mothers who pick up and drop off their children. 

Technical Benefits

                                   The biggest benefit is when you  start rowing with these children on e-bike. If you put a child in the front and back, the weight of the vehicle will exceed 100 kg, so considerable force is required to move it. I'm surprised how easy it is to start Many moms have weak legs and are afraid of getting wobbly when they start pedaling on a regular mama chari. The saddle can be worn on either foot, so once you experience it, you will never go back to a regular mama chari.   Keep rowing and you'll quickly gain speed. Comfortable and easy to wear. A pedestrian jumped out. The brakes do not work! ! night. With the spread of electric bicycles, such accidents are increasing. ( also read my other article )

Road Safety Of E-Bikes

                      After the above mentioned accident issues, now, we have its road safety details for you. The brakes have certainly evolved, but the grip strength is weak, and many mothers may not be able to suddenly stop heavy objects of 100 kg or more. Even if you ignore a red light or run away, there is no way that an accident will not occur.  Even on sidewalks where bicycles can pass, the Road Traffic Law (hereafter referred to as the Road Traffic Law) stipulates that pedestrians should be given priority and approach the road slowly (at a speed of 6-8 km/h). However, it is extremely difficult to run slowly with an electric assist bicycle. Even with light paddling, it comes out  at around 15km/h.   Pedestrians and cyclists are allowed  on the sidewalks. ( also check )

                                          In other words, at least turn off  assist when crossing sidewalks with lots of pedestrians, and  get off  and push accordingly. I do   According to interviews with moms, about 90% of moms know that they ride their bikes on public roads, but very few actually do. Fear of cars flying sideways, fear of not being able to see behind, fear of children insideBut did you know that pedestrians are also afraid of e-bikes?   Weak on the road, strong on  the sidewalk. It should be clear that this is a walking weapon, as the electric assist amplifies the leg strength.   There are conspicuous cases where tens of millions of dollars of damages are claimed for bicycle accidents. 


                                                             In addition, since 2010, if a bicycle-pedestrian accident on the sidewalk goes to court, the bicycle will be reported at 10 o'clock.  Hit-and-run is an even more serious offense. Accidents will continue to increase as long as e-bikes are allowed on sidewalks. From a vulnerability protection point of view, cyclists stronger than pedestrians should always stay on the left side of the lane, as mandated by the Road Traffic Act, how do we do that? Make the road safe, wait for discussion Clearly indicate where you can ride your bike without Bicycles have long been brought to the sidewalks, although they have become left-handed since the Road Traffic Act came into force in 1960.  The police themselves  decided to reverse this order, and the Metropolitan Police Department plans to install 1,000 km of navigation lines in three years. number. Navigation line  is intended to draw the driver's attention to  the fact that there are also bicycles on the road and that the bicycle is part of the vehicle.

However, in an aging society ( bicycle is a part of the vehicle ), if bicycles can be ridden on sidewalks, it will undoubtedly become a source of trouble in the future. It's a pity that we didn't know where the bicycles would ride, but first we will create a continuous walking space (net) on the road. There are a limited number of moms in regular classes, so be clear about where you are running. If you follow the path, there should be no steps and you should be able to walk comfortably.


The Function Of Mirrors

Now a word about the mirror functioning of e-bikes. I need to dispel my anxiety, but if I sell electric bicycles, shouldn't the rearview mirror be standard equipment only on the right side? For mopeds with a displacement of less than 50cc, only the right side mirror is obligatory, but it is obligatory because it is necessary for road traffic. I feel uncomfortable when I don't know if there are one or more cars coming from behind, whether it's a passenger car or a truck, whether it's fast or slow. not to mention. I don't have the confidence to drive safely on roads without mirrors. You don't need a mirror because you can't walk on the sidewalk, but I'm worried about it if it's not a roadway. Also, I think we need some kind of incentive to attract people to the road.

Battery Issues

                  The battery charging of e-bikes is an important matter. Electric assist bicycles need to charge their batteries. So what if there were facilities everywhere that allowed us to charge our batteries without touching them when we stopped at an intersection? As technology advances, it doesn't seem like a pipe dream.

IC Chips, GPS And Other Electrical Equipment

                                                                    If IC chip is installed and individual management by GPS is possible, points can be given according to the distance traveled. Knowing that you can get common points such as T-POINT, Ponta, and Rakuten according to the distance you run, the number of runners will increase. I want to increase the number of friends, raise my voice, and quickly increase the number of separate bicycle lanes. With the current number of road users, even if structural separation is sought, the beneficiaries are biased, making it difficult to inject taxes. The electric bicycle "Electric Cycle DG-EC2" developed by Panasonic Cycle Tech Co., Ltd. in 1980. (Headquarters: Kashiwara City, Osaka Prefecture, President: Toshiaki Inage) has been certified as “Reiwa 2nd Year Important Science and Technology Historical Materials (Nickname: Future Technology Heritage)”.

   Future Of E-Bikes ?

       Now, we come to the key question. Its about future of the e-bikes. This electric bicycle was born from the new concept of "fusion of electricity and bicycles" led by Matsushita Electric Works Headquarters. At that time, various social problems such as environmental problems and energy conservation were becoming apparent in Japan. Newly developed and commercialized a battery that can be charged with a household power supply. In January 1980, 500 units were sold in Osaka, Nara, Wakayama, and Tokyo as an electric bicycle that can run at a maximum speed of 18 km/h with only three types of motors (pedal only and motor pedal combination). And Nagoya in May. It is a limited quantity sale. Various know-how and achievements gained in the development of this electric bicycle are utilized in the current electric assist bicycle. It is currently on display at the Panasonic Museum "Manufacturing Ism Hall".