Watt’s up with Electric Bikes in Ontario

Posted in Canada, Ontario, South River on May 28th, 2008

ride an Electric bike in Ontario Kate straps on the helmet. No special license or certificate is required to Electric bikes are a super way for many people in Ontario to commute to work, lowering the carbon emissions associated with cars.

Dave Wright of Wright Alternative Technologies in South River, Ontario has been excited about electric bikes and scooters for a number of years. Although he’s not related to the Wright brothers, Dave’s enthusiasm for innovation with these bikes is infectious. After a few trips to China to meet with electric bike manufacturers, he is excited to be receiving his first shipping container of bikes in less than two weeks and he has retailers across Ontario, Canada getting ready to sell them.

Dave’s bikes are designed to meet the needs of anyone who can ride a bicycle and they follow the same rules of the road as traditional bikes.

“We made a few adjustments to the design to make them ready for North Americans who want to use them to commute. They are absolutely everywhere in China. I’m sure it will be just a short while before they become commonplace throughout Ontario,” said Wright

Wright has both scooter-like bikes and others that look more like conventional bikes with a battery. The red beauty I tested even has saddlebags (panniers). It can carry up to 330 lbs. The pedals on these models aren’t just for looks either. I found that pedaling added a bit of assist to the electric motor, especially on hills and other than pedaling a bit more weight (from the batteries) the pedals work just like those on conventional bike.

By law, these zero emission vehicles have a speed limit of 50 km/hr in Ontario (these bikes travel at a safe 32 km/hr) and with the standard gel cell lead acid batteries they travel up to 35 km on a full 6 hour charge. Optional lithium-Ion batteries are much lighter and provide for greater range and easier pedaling.
getting ready to pedal our electric bikes in South River, Ontario

For more information on these electric bikes contact:
Wheel Easy
19 Howard St.
South River, ON
P0A 1X0
Phone: (705) 358-0096
E-mail: dave@wheeleasy.ca