pvb123

Maybe try these guys in Holland? V-Fiets

Pedelec - Tabelle

Yes...A lot of the hub powered bikes don't live up to expectations in hilly areas, plus how many people do you see riding bikes in general where you live? If it's anything like Australia, bicycle infrastructure is very poor, 99.6% of people use cars and public transport. It's a double whammy!

No worries! I travel to The Netherlands a lot and if you ask a bike shop owner there why E-Bikes sell so well it is quite simple, "People like the easier cycling" is pretty much all you hear. Double that with 1st class infrastructure and a population that ride's bikes almost every day and it's a no brainer!

Example: Everyone drives cars (Because the government has put so much money into road infrastructure), then a car comes out with power steering. As people try it, they prefer power steering and then sales of cars with power steering booms. In The Netherlands, sales of non-electric bikes are slipping as some people convert to E-Bike option. If The Netherlands didn't have the infrastructure do you think E-bike sales would be anywhere where they are now? Because of the infrastructure, The Netherlands has the highest levels of cycle use in the developed world. If you have 90% of the population using the bike at least once a week, then when a new bike comes along that offers easier cycling (power steering example), then it is not hard to see why E-Bike sales are booming. I also add again, that sales of non-electric city bikes (i.e. cars with non power steering) are going down at the moment as people choose an E-Bike instead. Note at the bottom of the linked article - "BOVAG bike section manager Maurice Manders is cautious in his comments on the bike sales in the first half or the year. He says: “Yes, we are very content with it as the bike sector is still able to grow in turnover. However, we should not forget that important and large segments like city bikes and Trekking are showing a strong decline in sales.” As far as the UK and flat areas, could it be that in general, places that are flatter tend to have more people on bikes regardless of infrastructure and when people see other people on bikes they think, "Hey I see a few people riding bikes, maybe I'll get on a bike". I am in Australia and this is what I find happens here. Cheers! Paul. P.S. My power steering example is a bit basic but you get the idea hopefully!

This is all directly related to the fantastic infrastructure in The Netherlands and the fact that 90% of the population use the bike weekly...not because it is flat.

The reason you see so many more E-Bikes in The Netherlands is because.....drum roll......there are sooooo many more cyclists there and because of the infrastructure. Belgium bicycle infrastructure is way behind The Netherlands....can't compare. Because there are so many more cyclists in Holland it can seem that Utility cycling is the preferred method and it is, BUT, the numbers are a bit misleading....let me give you a rough example....this is all hypothetical and numbers are used purely to show a point... France - Population 60,000,000 Riders on race bikes (on the weekend) - 400,000 Riders on utility bikes - 400,000 Riders on E-Bikes - 20,000 Belgium - Population 10,000,000 Riders on race bikes (on the weekend) - 30,000 Riders on utility bikes - 200,000 Riders on E-Bikes - 10,000 The Netherlands - Population 17,000,000 Riders on race bikes (on the weekend) - 200,000 Riders on utility bikes - 8,000,000 (at least once a week) Riders on E-Bikes - 500,000 (at least once a week) Now the point of my figures is to show that Racing bikes are actually more popular per head of population in The Netherlands than even France BUT utility cycling is so big it makes the race bit seem small, even though on any given weekend you are more likely to count more road cyclists in groups in Holland, than in France and Belgium probably combined.... I base all these very unscientific statistics on my travels to these countries.

Interesting... Dutch E-Bike story

This is pretty interesting from the dealers in Holland. E-Bikes are really taking off there. Click on WEBLOG in menu at top and have a read what the shops think is the best E-Bike. Dutch bicycle trade website

Awesome thanks guys!

"I believe there are four different types available but the Lithium Ion Phospherous is claimed to be best." Can anyone answer this question for me? Thanks in advance!

I've got one here in Sydney and it works very well. I've had a go on the Easy Glider too but haven't tested it in Sydney yet. Cycle safe, Paul.

Gazelle Chamonix Innergy wins bike of the year 2009 The Gazelle Chamonix Innergy has won the Dutch Bike of the year 2009. Translated version of http://www.tweewieler.nl/ Cheers, Paul (In Australia)

Gazelle Innergy........ Gazelle videos

Good point Flecc......although at least they still ride a lot more than the average country.......