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CityCyclingEdinburgh was launched on the 27th of October 2009 as "an experiment".

IT’S TRUE!
CCE is 15years old!
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It soon became useful and entertaining. There are regular posters, people who add useful info occasionally and plenty more who drop by to watch. That's fine. If you want to add news/comments it's easy to register and become a member.

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CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Sport

1. LaidBack
   Member

   Now I know it's not cycling but given the interest in electric bikes it's always good to see what's happening elsewhere.

   These bikes aren't of course 'eco-machines' as they use a lot of power. However it seems that there are some smaller companies getting involved and some innovation. For forumers who have motorbikes this will be old news. I couldn't find the 2010 video.

   Suggested by Joe at The Bicycle Works.

   Winning company here was from India with a British designer.

   Sounds like a giant Scaletrix!

   http://www.naden.de/blog/bbvideo-bbpress-video-plugin -->

   [+] Embed the video | Electric Bike Racing Isle of Man 09" target="_blank">Video Download

   Get the Flash Videos

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   Posted 13 years ago #

2. Smudge
   Member

   Yeah the designer, somebody Lynch, can't remember his first name, is a proper eccentric, commutes on his home made electric fully faired bicycle, was (allegedly) ripped off by the British company who first took on his new design of electric motor and subsequently got involved with the Indian company (Agni motors iirc).

   Despite the naysayers howling about coal fired power stations I believe electric is the near term future of personal transport, and if we could persuade people to adopt two wheels more it could also reduce congestion as a well designed electric bike will be more efficient than an electric car for moving one or two people around.

   IC powered bikes are hampered by a fairing style imposed back in the 50's by the FIM to reduce the speed of racing motorcycles, there's no reason an innovative product like an electric two wheeler couldn't buck that trend and be enclosed in an aerodynamic body to maximise efficiency.
   I mean, how cool does this look?
   

   and if you can get 214mpg out of an IC powered bike, that efficiency can be combined with developing engine/battery technology to provide speed and/or great endurance.
   We are on the edge of a pretty big change I reckon, just a matter of when..

   Posted 13 years ago #

3. LaidBack
   Member

   Thanks Smudge...

   That fills in a lot of background. It has a lot of relevance to other options for personal mobility.

   Of course the Isle of Man uses various power stations / strategies so wasn't totally zero emission (if anything can be).
   Manx Electricity Authority

   The designer Lynch is a real character from what the video shows. The enthusiasm of the riders for his work really comes through.

   Posted 13 years ago #

4. Smudge
   Member

   oops, missed the link that I was referring to with the mpg quote, http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/01/streamlined-honda-innova/

   I've been interested in streamlining for a while, seems an obvious route to go down while petrol prices continue to rise and the most economical bikes strugge to reach 100mpg, one can't help but wonder if there really are conspiracies! (reaches for the tinfoil helmet lol)
   Worth having a google for Craig Vetter's economy competitions from the eighties as well, he's done some very interetsing stuff with powered bikes. Can't find his dvd at the moment but from memory the eventual winner achieved around 450mpg at open road speeds with road legal bikes (on the public road). (edit, see here: http://craigvetter.com/pages/470MPG/470MPG%20Main.html#anchor )

   I realised twenty something years ago that electric RC cars were much more fun than IC, (massively) better acceleration, cheaper, cleaner, less hassle.. even at the time I thought "how much fun would a full size one be?!?"
   Hopefully I'll get to find out sometime soon, and see the various elements combined :)

   Posted 13 years ago #

5. LaidBack
   Member

   Good links. Ta Smudge!

   Posted 13 years ago #

6. Smudge
   Member

   My pleasure :) I've got the 450mpg dvd somewhere if you want a viewing sometime.

   Posted 13 years ago #

7. LaidBack
   Member

   Yes... something for next coffee meet... must have one due when freeze lessens (!)

   Fascinating how there is 'convergence' between different aspects of bike and motorbike design when it comes to efficiency.

   Posted 13 years ago #

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