Slow Down and Enjoy the Trail With These E-bike Tales and Tips from IZIP
In today’s day and age, we are moving faster than ever before riding along this trail we all like to call “life.” At a time when it’s easy to sit back and watch a TV show, or spend hours on our phones—now more than ever is the season to get out and enjoy the outdoors.
At IZIP, we are on a mission to get people to slow down, journey together, see more sights and appreciate the smaller things in life by bike. Whether local or far way, new experiences on two wheels can give us a refreshing and unique perspective of our communities and our environment.
It’s well documented that riding a bike has countless physical and mental benefits. Here are some stories from our own IZIP staff of how riding bikes has changed the world around them.
We started the conversation by asking, “What places have you discovered since replacing your car for bike rides?” We were blown away by all the different things that people had observed since swapping out their car for a bike ride. From new coffee shops, breweries, trails and shops to Little Free Libraries on their block—there was no shortage of findings.
One IZIP staffer even said, “I found my current house from exploring new bike trails! Exploring neighborhoods and looking for a new home by bike is a match made in heaven.”
We also wanted some more details on how bike riding has positively affected our family of riders and asked them to share some more personal stories. Below are two excerpts:
“Cycling has been a central force in my life since the late 1970s. I have met many great and lifelong friends via a shared love for the bike. This has led to countless shared memories and experiences. But beyond that, cycling has gifted me with an ever-present calming space to clear my head, find peace, overcome challenges, get away and break boundaries, and inspiration to keep pushing my personal limits.”
“My happy place is going for bike rides with my grandsons. They both love riding, and while sometimes the ride is the conveyance, it is always part of our activities. I just love seeing my kids smile when they ride, and I’m grateful for my e-bike so that I can ride all day with them! It amazes me how long those boys can ride without getting tired …. At some point in the day, they always try to race me, and I’ll typically let them win. But every once in a while, I’ll fully engage the pedal assist and cruise right on past them, watching their terrified faces. When I win, they get ice cream so it’s a win-win for everyone!”
E-Bikes 101
We believe that pedal-assist e-bikes provide an intuitive experience that gives you all the benefits of cycling plus the power to ride longer and stronger. IZIP eBikes integrate some of the most efficient, state-of-the art, mid-drive and hub-drive electric motor systems which include a drive unit, battery pack, display and user interface.
If you’re new to e-bikes, you’ve likely come across mentions of Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3.
First, let’s talk about how an electric bike works:
- Pedaling an e-bike engages the motor, providing a boost to your natural pedaling power. Using a throttle engages the motor without pedaling.
- When an e-bike reaches its maximum assisted speed, the motor stops providing power, although you can pedal to go faster, just like on any bicycle.
As for the three classes of e-bikes, the diagram below shows the main differences.
When seeking out the perfect bike, be sure to check your local cycling regulations.
For more information about e-bikes and learning where you can ride, policies and laws, and research and statistics, take a look at our Ebike 101 Page. Here are some additional resources to help you learn about all things e-bike:
- Pre-Ride Checklist
- How to Fix a Chain Problem
- Basic E-Bike Care and Maintenance
- How to Adjust Disc Brakes
- How to Care for Your E-Bike Battery
In addition to getting asked about how e-bikes work, we often get asked about how to discover new bike trails and navigate routes. Fortunately, there are plenty of informational resources out there. For starters, we suggest checking with your local bike shop and see what recommendations they have. There are also amazing digital resources out there such as Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s trail-finder website and app, TrailLink, with maps, photos, user ratings and reviews for more than 40,000 miles of multiuse trails, and PeopleForBikes’ Ride Spot app.
About IZIP:
For anyone looking to explore more, IZIP is the originator of quality stylish eBikes and, now, non-assisted bicycles. IZIP sets itself apart from other bike brands with its passion for creating products that are innovative and fun. With more than 15 years of experience in the e-bike industry, IZIP is now a veteran and a leader in e-bike technology. For additional information, please visit the IZIP website.
Editor’s Note: Special thanks to IZIP, one of our 2022 Celebrate Trails Day sponsors, for providing these great stories and tips from—and for—the trail!
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Everyone deserves access to safe ways to walk, bike, and be active outdoors.
