An interesting article from Scientific American on how electric bikes are helping reduce air pollution in major cities.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=can-ebikes-displace-cars

A quote from the article: "Hands down, electric bikes are about as clean as it gets in terms of addressing these primary pollutants"

www.voltagebikes.ca

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Here’s a video of a ride up Canada's highest full-time mountain pass ... almost 1,800m (5,800ft) ... to see how far we got on one battery ...

www.voltagebikes.ca

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We are pleased to announce a new Pedego electric bike dealer in Windsor, Ontario.  The Pedego range of electric cruisers, commuters and trikes are stylish, reliable and fun!  Take one of these top-quality electric bikes for a test ride at:

Scooter Pro

5950 North Service Road East, Windsor

Ontario N8T 3P3

Ph 519-969-8139

www.scooterpro.ca

www.voltagebikes.ca

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Interesting background information on Pedego and where they are heading for the future …

http://electricbikereport.com/interview-pedego-electric-bikes-owner-don-dicostanzo/

www.voltagebikes.ca

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Here’s a video review of a Wisper 905SE, put to the test in an Edmonton winter …

www.voltagebikes.ca

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The USA-based Pedego range of electric bikes are now available at Redbike in Edmonton.  Pedego are the number-two best selling electric bike in the USA and have a great reputation for quality and reliability.  Pedego have a very stylish range of electric crusiers, commuters and trikes.  Check out the full range at www.pedego.com   With the UK-designed Wisper ebikes and Pedego, Redbike are now the store to visit in Edmonton for electric bikes!!

Red Bike, 10918 88th Avenue, EDMONTON, AB

780-435-2674

www.redbike.ca

www.voltagebikes.ca 

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Pedego recently released a scaled-down version of its Comfort Cruiser series.  The 24-inch bikes are perfect for people of about 4’10” to 5’4” in height.  Contact us toll-free on 1-888-777-2066 if you would like more information about these bikes in Canada.  Or check out our dealer page to find the nearest Pedego dealer to you.

http://voltagebikes.ca/electric-bike-dealers-canada 

www.voltagebikes.ca

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The top quality USA brand Pedego and UK-designed Wisper electric bikes are now available at Funhogz Gear Exchange in Cranbrook, BC.   Chat to Russ and take an ebike for a test ride, and you’ll see why electric bikes are the fastest growing portion of worldwide cycling sales at the moment.  These bikes are fun!  Funhogz is located at:

917 Kootenay St.

Cranbrook, B.C.

V1C 3V5

250-417-2828

www.funhogz.com

www.voltagebikes.ca 

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Pedego has introduced a fun new variation on its Cruiser range, which should go well here in Canada … the ‘Snowmobile’.  In addition to the standard tires, the winter version of the electric bike comes with a pair of Schwalbe Ice Spiker tires.  All you’ll need then is a pair of good gloves and some goggles!  The new red Interceptor shown below would look perfect under the Christmas tree!  Call us toll-free on 1-888-777-2066 if you’d like further information.

www.voltagebikes.ca 

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With replacement costs for some lithium ion batteries approaching $1,000, it makes sense to invest a bit of time caring for them!  Once you’ve parked your bike for the Canadian winter, it most likely will sit until the snow melts in spring.  A few easy actions now will ensure that your battery is rearing to go then, and for years to come.  I’ve tried to keep this article as simple as possible.  For further information on lithium ion battery care, check out the link at the bottom of this post.

A lithium ion battery will slowly discharge over time as it sits in storage.  If a battery is allowed to fully discharge, this will stress the cells in the battery, potentially irreparably damaging it.   At the least, you will reduce the capacity and life of the battery.  During normal riding, most electric bike batteries have a battery management system (BMS) which switches off the electrical system when the voltage drops to a certain point i.e. the battery is not allowed to fully discharge and the cells are protected.   However, the BMS will not prevent a battery from slowly discharging as it sits in storage.  Therefore, it is important to ensure that your battery retains some charge over the winter months.  Unfortunately, it is not ideal to put your battery in storage with 100% charge as this can also put some stress on the cells.  The following actions are therefore recommended for battery care:

·         Store your battery with a partial charge, ideally 40-80%.  While charging, you can check the number of green lights on the battery indicator … aim for two-three lights (four lights is fully charged).  With the latest Wisper charger, switch the output switch on the back of the charger to ‘39V’ for the perfect storage charge.  If you have a multi-meter, its easy to check the output voltage on the battery terminals to make sure you’re somewhere between about 36V and 39V after charging;

·         Depending on how fully charged the battery was initially, it will normally take about 1-2 hours to give the recommended partial charge;

·         If you end up charging your battery to 100% (the green light on the charging unit comes on), go for a ride to discharge it partially before storing the battery;

·         Check your battery every couple of months of storage and give it a top up if the battery indicator has dropped to one light (or the measured voltage has dropped below about 34V).  If you don’t have a battery indicator, it’s probably a good idea to charge the battery for about an hour every couple of months.  Again, be careful not to put the battery away fully charged;

·         Ideally, the battery should be stored in a cool place.  Significantly elevated temperatures over prolonged periods can reduce battery capacity.  Also avoid freezing the battery.

Correct storage of your battery as detailed above will significantly increase the lifespan of your battery.  A well maintained lithium battery will last up to five years, whereas a poorly maintained battery can be badly damaged over just one winter!

For more detailed information on batteries and how to care for them, check out the excellent online resource at the following link:

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries

www.voltagebikes.ca

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Pedego has added two exciting new models to its range of electric bikes, and further developed the comfort cruiser series.  Both the ‘City Commuter’ and ‘Electric Trike’ series were revealed at the recent Interbike show in Las Vegas.  In addition, a 24” version of the popular Comfort Cruiser bike was introduced to cater to smaller riders.

See the full gallery on Posterous

As expected from Pedego (where style ‘rules’!), the City Commuter is a really classy looking bike!  I rode the bike on the indoor test track at the Vegas show, and while there no hills to really put it through its paces, the bike felt excellent!  The bikes will be in production by the end of the year and will come with powerful 500W geared motors … so no shortage of power!  The bikes will have both independent throttle (as per the Pedego Comfort Cruisers) and a pedal assist system.  With a retail price of just under $2,000, it looks like Pedego is continuing with its philosophy of providing top quality bikes at a great price.

Finally an electric trike that looks great and works!  Pedego have spent a couple of years perfecting this bike, and it shows!  One of the key problems for trikes is stability, or lack thereof.  After having ridden this bike at speed on the test track at Vegas, I can vouch for its stability relative to all other trikes I have tried.  The 36V 10Ah battery is housed in the cargo compartment behind the seat, along with ample space for your shopping.  The bike is powered by a 350W geared motor with a good amount of power for getting up the hills.  The stability of the bike is due to a rear drive differential and the 20” wheels.  The bike is just narrow enough to fit through a standard doorway.  It looks like a great product that will satisfy the demand out there for a good quality trike.

See the full gallery on Posterous

The response to the Pedego bikes at the show was great and its easy to see why they are the number two best-selling electric bike in the States.  Check out the dealer page on our website to find the nearest dealer to you in Canada.  If there isn’t a dealer near you, we will ship you a bike free of charge.

www.voltagebikes.ca/electric-bike-dealers-canada

 

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Wisper electric bikes are now available at Montreal’s premiere electric bicycle store, Vélo Branché.  Check out the store at 4466 rue Marquette where the staff will be happy to find you a ride to suit from their wide range of electric bikes.

http://www.velobranche.com/

www.voltagebikes.ca

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Have a look at this piece from Wired magazine about the ‘next big thing’ … specifically, the mention of electric bikes at the end of the article!

http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/07/st_thompson_breakthrough/

www.voltagebikes.ca

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Voltage Bikes is proud to announce the addition of the exciting Pedego electric bike brand to our distribution business.  Pedego are the number two best-selling electric bikes in the USA, and the fastest growing brand!  The cool factor is definitely there, with retro styling and numerous colour options.  If you want a bright orange bike, with a leather seat, matching rims and crème ‘Fat Frank’ tires … then Pedego is for you!  The funky styles along with Pedego’s great reputation for reliability and service backup make it obvious why the brand has done so well in the USA, and in such a short time.

And now the bikes are coming to Canada!  Pedego bikes are already available at Ezriders in Toronto (www.ezriders.ca) and E-ride in London (www.eridelondon.ca), with the network expanding rapidly!  In the interim, if you want to get hold of a Pedego bike and there isn’t a dealer near you, we will ship it to you for free!   Give us a call toll-free on 1-888-777-2066 or email us at info@voltagebikes.ca

For information on the bikes, go to www.pedego.com    A Canadian version of this website will be up and running in the near future.

www.voltagebikes.ca

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Check out the latest accessory for your Wisper bike …. love it!

www.voltagebikes.ca

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A few reasons on why we love electric bikes ...

http://voltagebikes.ca/why-electric-bikes-are-great

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Here is a nice article on why electric bikes are so great in an urban environment.  The article features one of our Ottawa dealers (Ridemore).

http://tinyurl.com/4yd5ft3

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One of our main philosophies is getting people out of cars and on to bikes … using bikes more as a vehicle rather than a ‘toy’.  Here’s a great example of this from the UK!  Check out the ‘Delivery with a Difference’ video by scrolling down the page to 'All Videos' …

http://www.swindonweb.com/tv/ 

www.voltagebikes.ca

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See the full gallery on Posterous

www.voltagebikes.ca

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