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"The electric bike is not a short-term trend"

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  1. ARobComp
    Member

    It did take about 2 months to get it sorted out. I had to phone and chase a number of times, and there was a few challenges at the end due to Vanmoof getting an invoice conversion wrong (in my favour) so I had to change the total amount of the loan, however that actually wasn't massively hard bearing in mind the amount went down. The main issue was that they seem to have based the whole process on buying a car so I needed to get a "quote" from my supplier which is pretty useless for many places. I actually just bought and paid the deposit on a bike and used the deposit invoice as the "quote" in the end and they didn't seem to have an issue with that.

    I did give them extensive feedback after I sorted it out finally.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  2. LaidBack
    Member

    @ARobComp

    EST - "The main issue was that they seem to have based the whole process on buying a car so I needed to get a "quote" from my supplier which is pretty useless for many places. "

    Yes - we have to do initial quote on a letterhead pdf to prospective customer. This then finally gets accepted (or not) and is sent back to us from Transportloansscotand. We then confirm it is correct.
    Our actual invoices come from FreeAgent.
    Quite a process but without EST I reckon a few sales of Bakfiets wouldn't have happened.

    @threefromleith - agree it's slow. Matches the slow delivery times from many cargo bike producers though.
    Had one client turned down in credit - thanks for that tip though about arranging your own.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  3. threefromleith
    Member

    @laidback For reference, the credit-checking site that the EST refer you to so that you can check and produce your own rating for reconsideration is Credit Karma (https://www.creditkarma.co.uk/)

    It's a pity I was never asked for any feedback on my dealings with them; they'd have been given a rocket. As well as the repeated delays, I'd also been given the runaround initially when applying as I was being given 3 different sets of advice about making any up-front payments before the loan was confirmed. One person emailed and told me that my application would be processed much quicker if I had the money to pay the whole thing up-front myself whilst my application was being processed. A second staff member told me that I shouldn't pay ANYTHING up-front. The application form said I could pay a small deposit up-front. Talk about mixed messages!

    Posted 4 years ago #

  4. Greenroofer
    Member

    Following a slightly-built rider on an e-bike along the towpath this morning. On the flat, my comfortable cruising speed is a little higher than the 16mph they were going at, and I could probably have overtaken them. However every point where we had to slow down, their acceleration afterwards was considerably higher than mine. Had I overtaken them on the flat, I know that they would have been on my tail the whole way.

    I know this isn't new news, but it was a striking reminder today of why e-bikes are so good.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  5. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @Greenroofer

    I didn't enjoy the e-bike on the Slateford Aqueduct. That acceleration is unwelcome when perched between the railings and the filthy drink.

    If I'd been thinking straight I'd have turned the engine off.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  6. PS
    Member

    I didn't enjoy the e-bike on the Slateford Aqueduct. That acceleration is unwelcome when perched between the railings and the filthy drink.

    I concur. I have only had one go on an e-bike and it was great fun. However, the one point where the e was unwelcome was when I slowed to walking pace, freewheeling as I approached some folk on foot on our narrow path. I absent-mindedly turned my feet to maintain my balance and received an unwelcome boost that almost took me off the path. Hopefully over time it becomes second nature to turn off the motor in those sort of circs.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  7. Darkerside
    Member

    That sort of thing shouldn't happen with a torque-sensing motor (ie any crank motor from the big players) because it only multiplies the effort you put in. Tiny pressure on pedals means tiny additional power from motor.

    If the motor is instead crank-cadence sensing (ie the Bafang retrofit motor, and I suspect any wheel hub-based motor as well) you get whatever the maximum assist is for the level you've set as soon as you move the cranks. This is presumably less good for "delicate" scenarios, although has a side benefit of meaning you can pretty much coast along with the motor doing all the work.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  8. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @Darkerside

    It was a lovely new Bosch unit.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  9. Trixie
    Member

    My cadence-sensing hub motor doesn't kick in til the second turn of the pedals, so turning once for balance would be fine. I turn the motor off 9 times out of ten when there's some sort of delicate scenario though.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  10. acsimpson
    Member

    @Iwrats was it rear wheel drive?

    My wife's e-folder has 20" wheels and front wheel drive. When engaged the bike's desire is to power off in whatever direction the front wheel is currently pointing. This is especially "interesting" at low speeds on uneven ground. I have only done it on a farm track but I suspect the aqueduct would be terrifying if the motor wasn't switched off.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  11. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @acsimpson

    Rear wheel drive. Skittish.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  12. crowriver
    Member

    Anyone that insists on riding across the aqueduct, whether powered or otherwise, deserves what's coming to them.

    Just get off and push. It's not far.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  13. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    "Anyone that insists on riding across the aqueduct, whether powered or otherwise, deserves what's coming to them."

    I know of someone who got a traumatic permanent brain injury doing that. Not sure if I'm obliquely backing or criticising your comment, really. Both, probably.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  14. gembo
    Member

    Been across the aqueduct thousands of times. Sometimes I push if super duper windy, you do then get fankled if someone else is pushing the other way. Sometimes I footpump across whilst still in saddle. eg if windy. Mostly I cycle considerately and coorie in to the railings and parapet to let others pass. I give way to pedestrians at all times. I rarely have bother. I do deserve what is coming to me for sure.

    @crowriver, there is a guy who really shouts at you for not dismounting. He has some issues. THe sign does say that but it is largely 1. commonsense and 2. Scottish canals protexcting their asses from people like me who get what is coming to them

    Posted 4 years ago #

  15. Frenchy
    Member

    "Would you scrap your old car for an electric bike in a radical anti-pollution scheme? - Alastair Dalton"

    “Scrappage of older and more polluting vehicles does not have to mean replacement with new motor vehicles.”

    https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/would-you-scrap-your-old-car-for-an-electric-bike-in-a-radical-anti-pollution-scheme-alastair-dalton-1-5041587

    Posted 4 years ago #

  16. Darkerside
    Member

    @IWRATS - Ah, I see.

    Have you considered instead that you are, in fact, unaware of your own monumental power?

    Posted 4 years ago #

  17. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Anyone that insists on riding across the aqueduct, whether powered or otherwise, deserves what's coming to them.

    If you get off and push you're twice as wide. I have decided that the polite thing to do is ride and stop when necessary. Younger or more able party goes water side.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  18. LivM
    Member

    I turned off my bike's power for most of my commute this morning (Bosch Active Line crank drive) - combination of slippy leaves and slippy ice so I guessed it wouldn't end well if I kept the power on. At least it's downhill most of the way to work. Uphill going home.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  19. neddie
    Member

    The report called for new roadbuilding to end within around five years

    (Scotsman article above)

    Yeah sure. Just 5 more years and we'll get all the roads done. Then in 5 years it'll be, "just another 5 years..."

    No reason why they can't end all new road building tomorrow

    transport secretary Michael Matheson’s position ... he said it wasn’t a case of taking sides over road building vs walking and cycling. Rather, a combination and balance was required.

    That word "balance" again. And how "balanced" are the budgets, exactly?

    Posted 4 years ago #

  20. ARobComp
    Member

    I forgot to charge Moofy on tuesday evening so needed to do the commute on Wednesday on 20% power. Got to work with 10% left. Managed to get two thirds of the way home before the power readout went blank, then another kilometre before the assist cut out. I suddenly was feart that the integrated lights were going to die as well however they were just as bright all the way home.

    Bike was actually completely fine to ride without assist if a little heavy.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  21. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Spotted the All Black Constant Talking Dude on his e-bike at Picardy Place last night.

    Took off uphill at around 20mph without pedaling.

    Caught him at the lights and had a chat. Turns out he's a courier with the Edinburgh network. Bike's a homebrew based on a Carrera MTB frame with a rear wheel motor. Paragon Gold fork though - nice. Battery pack fills the triangle, whole thing controlled off a smartphone stuck on the top tube. His English is very poor.

    It's a completely illegal electric motorbike. Lights are rubbish, guy's got no helmet. He's clearly got an advantage over any law-abiding couriers. That said it's highly eco-friendly.

    To report to 101? Any point? Non MoT'd non-insured illegal vehicle.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  22. neddie
    Member

    IWRATS

    Home brew electrified bikes are not subject to the same regs as shop-bought e-bikes

    You can have a bigger motor & no requirement to pedal. IIRC

    So may well have been legal (ish)

    Posted 4 years ago #

  23. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    That's interesting. I can see regulating homebrews would be tricky. I'll leave it then.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  24. neddie
    Member

    Yeah, probably better to focus on the fossilised menaces

    Posted 4 years ago #

  25. amir
    Member

    This article seems to make it clear that such homebrew bikes cannot be used as EAPC
    https://www.gov.uk/electric-bike-rules
    So they would need licenses, helmets, and can't be used on bike paths?

    Posted 4 years ago #

  26. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @amir

    The plot thickens. I'm wondering what I'd even report. A guy all in black cycling unfeasibly fast? Obvious to me, doubt it's obvious to the average PC.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  27. Kim
    Member

    "Home brew electrified bikes are not subject to the same regs as shop-bought e-bikes". No, they are required to follow exactly the same regs as shop-bought e-bikes if they are used in a public place. At the end of the day the law is the law.

    Yes there are people out there who are riding around on "Home brew electrified bikes" which are not complying with the EAPC regs, I know one or two of them. But here's the rub, if they are caught using such a bike in a public place, they can (and probably would be) charged with:

    • operating an unregistered vehicle
    • operating an uninsured vehicle
    • not wearing an approve motor bike helmet
    • possible riding with out a license (unless they hold a driving license with the License category AM on it)
    • operating a vehicle without type approval

    All of which could add up to a lot of fines...

    Posted 4 years ago #

  28. CycleAlex
    Member

    Potential for far more serious offences should they do something stupid as well.

    Person on a modified e-bike in London who killed someone is being charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing death while unlicensed and causing death while uninsured: https://road.cc/content/news/267863-london-e-bike-rider-court-accused-causing-death-pedestrian-dangerous-driving

    Posted 4 years ago #

  29. neddie
    Member

    I’m sure I’ve seen a thread or a blog linked on here that said that if you take a ordinary bike & add an electric motor to it, the rules are different. e.g. You can use a 500W motor.

    Otherwise, I stand corrected

    Posted 4 years ago #

  30. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Spotted the All Black Constant Talking Dude on his e-bike at Picardy Place last night.

    I've seen him a few times too. The bike is huge, very quick, and very illegal.

    There's a different Constant Talking Dude in town who has a very upright non-e-bike.

    Posted 4 years ago #

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