I first became aware of electric bikes about 10 years ago when I saw an old boy on a bike whizzing around town at speeds that were not consistent with either the look of the bike or his age. I have no idea what sort it was, but it looked like a Raleigh RSW which I think later became a Raleigh 20? It had what looked like a home-made crank drive motor of some description.
This bike has intrigued me for some time, but I've never had an oportunity to talk to the owner............until today.
As I was just about to enter the bank, I saw this chap, on his bike, standing on one pedal leaning over the handlebars and letting the motor take him up the rather steep pedestrianised hill through the town centre. Opposite the bank, outside Subway, were a group of teenagers who shouted, "has that got an engine mate?" as the bike went past them. The rider turned and responded, "its electri....... CRASH!!!!! He had ridden straight into a bench. This pitched him and the bike over the bench. He seemed to remain inverted in suspended animation for a moment before gravity took over and pulled the whole lot to the ground. The panniers then opened revealing a stash of batteries and mince pies. Old boy had clearly been tempted to sample one or two of the pies before arriving home as one box was open, the contents of which started to roll down the hill.
A small crowed, me included started to make our way over to offer assistance, but he quickly jumped to his feet and stated, "You didn't know I could do tricks as well!"
I couldn't take my opportunity to talk to him about his bike because any attempt at converstation would have resulted in me folding up with laughter. The bike remains a mystery, but I suspect that it is a Raleigh 20 with a home made crank motor and a set of SLA batteries in the pannier. Whatever it is, its been going for at least 10 years that I know of.
This bike has intrigued me for some time, but I've never had an oportunity to talk to the owner............until today.
As I was just about to enter the bank, I saw this chap, on his bike, standing on one pedal leaning over the handlebars and letting the motor take him up the rather steep pedestrianised hill through the town centre. Opposite the bank, outside Subway, were a group of teenagers who shouted, "has that got an engine mate?" as the bike went past them. The rider turned and responded, "its electri....... CRASH!!!!! He had ridden straight into a bench. This pitched him and the bike over the bench. He seemed to remain inverted in suspended animation for a moment before gravity took over and pulled the whole lot to the ground. The panniers then opened revealing a stash of batteries and mince pies. Old boy had clearly been tempted to sample one or two of the pies before arriving home as one box was open, the contents of which started to roll down the hill.
A small crowed, me included started to make our way over to offer assistance, but he quickly jumped to his feet and stated, "You didn't know I could do tricks as well!"
I couldn't take my opportunity to talk to him about his bike because any attempt at converstation would have resulted in me folding up with laughter. The bike remains a mystery, but I suspect that it is a Raleigh 20 with a home made crank motor and a set of SLA batteries in the pannier. Whatever it is, its been going for at least 10 years that I know of.
