Go Green

Whether your motivation is to reduce your carbon footprint or just to save money on gas, electric bikes are a great way to get the benefits of cycling with the extra range and ease that you want at certain times. Commuters can benefit from a number of incentives that help the bike pay for itself, but whether you want a bike to ride to work, around your corporate campus, while you're on vacation, around the neighborhood, or on the way to class, an electric bike is a great way to make your ride a little easier. Take a little time to find out more about how the bikes work and other frequently asked questions.

How's The Bike Work?

In Case You Were Wondering

A Kilowatt Bike is different from other electrics because the riding experience is much more refined. We wanted you to feel like you were riding a bike, but had an effective, almost invisible electric system available when you need it. Our electric bikes feature two different types of propulsion systems - a pedal assist and a push-button system. What's the difference?

  • Pedal assist: With this system, the rider pedals and shifts gears just as they would with a non-electric bike, but the motor provides extra power as you pedal. You can select the speed you need from low for more exercise to high for faster commuting. When you stop pedaling, the motor stops. The Bamboo and The Commuter are our pedal-assist models.
  • Power-on-demand: This system is just as advertised - when you need power, simply squeeze the throttle. If you need extra power starting and climbing hills, it's there for you. The Cruiser is our power-on-demand model.

Either way, you can have a true bicycling experience without feeling like you are taking a car. You can pop your laptop in a backpack and head to the office or go to the coffee shop for a latte.

Both models use a state-of-the-art, European-designed Protanium electric system.

  • The battery on a Kilowatt Bike is different because it is light, recyclable and completely removable. Just take the lithium phosphate battery out of its position underneath the rack above the rear wheel and plug it in to any outlet at your home or work. In a few hours, you are charged and ready to go for another 40 miles. With a battery life of 1,500 recharges, you are set for the next five years or so, and when you are ready, the battery is completely recyclable.
  • The motor fits inconspicuously into the front wheel hub and incorporates high-torque, high-efficiency performance with an integrated disc brake.

Combined with our lightweight and recyclable carbon-fiber and bamboo frames, you can rest assured that your Kilowatt Bike is low-impact to the environment but highly efficient and fun.

Incentives

Go Green, Get Green Back

To make it a little easier to buy an electric bike, a number of incentives are available. Below we've included a partial list, but you should ask your accountant or tax professional for all available incentives that might be available to you.

  • Federal tax credit: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides additional tax credits for clean energy vehicles, and it's good news for consumers who want to purchase electric bikes. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this new tax credit simplifies and expands available tax credits. For electric low-speed vehicles, motorcycles, and three-wheeled vehicles, a 10 percent tax credit is available through 2011, with a cap of $2,500. See the Department of Energy website for more details.
  • Local incentives: Some cities and counties are getting in to the act and offering incentives for bicycle commuting. For example, Monterey County in California and the Central Texas Clean Cities effort in Austin offer incentives for electric bicycle commuters. Even areas that do not have electric bike-specific incentives will offer free or reduced rate bicycle parking or free emergency rides for bicycle commuters.
  • Employer incentives: Thanks to the Bicycle Commuter Act that became law on January 1, 2009, employers can receive $20 a month or $240 a year untaxed to give the benefit to their employees for "qualified bicycle commuter reimbursement," according to the Internal Revenue Service Publication 15-B, "Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits." Accor Services USA, one of the nation's larger administrators of commuter tax-free benefits, estimated that an average of 100 businesses per month since the law passed had asked about offering the credit to their employees. For more information, see CommuterCheck.com.

Rentals

Give Them Something to Talk About

When people are going on vacation, they are looking to do something new and different. Give them something to tell the neighbors about when they get home - an electric bike rental helps hotels and resorts let visitors experience local color up close.

  • Get people outdoors: Riding a bike is a fun activity on its own. People can get some exercise, but they have the benefit of an electric boost to handle steep hills or deal with fatigue.
  • Give local business a boost: Local shops and restaurants will thank you for keeping business local.
  • Make getting around easy: Give people a reason NOT to rent a car. Save them money on gas and give them a fun way to get around. Plus, save them the hassle of parking.

An electric bike isn't just a great way to see your town, it gives visitors a story to take back home that is way cooler than any snowglobe.

Corporate

Employers Can Get a Passing Grade with Electric Bikes on Corporate Campuses

With large, spread-out corporate campuses, distance can be a dilemma. Distances are slightly too far to walk quickly, but you feel like a jerk getting in your car to drive. Electric bikes are the perfect compromise for corporate bicycle fleets because of the benefits:

  • Mix fun and function: Kilowatt Bikes offer the right mix of pedaling and electric assist. Employees can get a little bit of exercise to clear their minds and boost their spirits, but not show up for their meeting a sweaty mess. It also makes parking a snap.
  • Help the environment: Employees can feel good about reducing their carbon footprint, and businesses can also get credit for adopting sustainable business practices.
  • Get great PR: It's an easy way for your company to look really Earth-friendly.
  • Keep employees in the neighborhood on lunch break: For businesses in urban areas with nearby restaurants, offering bicycles for lunch breaks is a great way to reduce traffic and allow your employees to meet your neighbors and build community.

The iBike.org website has a number of tips on starting a corporate bike fleet, but the best advice is this - think about sustainability from the beginning, get a clear mission, define your niche and stick with it.

FAQs

  • What is a Kilowatt Bike? We build electrically assisted bikes that aren't that different from a conventional bike, but assist riders automatically or on-demand. We build are bikes to the highest standards using the best components. But we also believe in some flash to go with our dash. If you are looking for a great looking e-Bike that's built to last, look no further.
  • How far will it go? Typical range on a full battery charge is 40 miles, depending on winds, hills and rider's weight. Because the battery is easy to remove and charge inside your house, it's easy to keep near a full charge. If you can keep your mobile phone charged, you can keep this bike moving.
  • How can I get more range out of a charge? Factors that can limit the battery range include rider and cargo weight, stop-and-go riding, winds, steepness of hills.
  • How much does it cost to charge? The Lithium Phosphate battery is costs less than 10 cents in electricity to charge fully.
  • How do I take care of it? We recommend taking your bike to any local dealer for normal maintenance. For problems with the motor or battery, contact us to find a dealer near you to repair these components.
  • What happens if battery charge runs out? Even without the battery, you can still pedal your Kilowatt Bike like a normal bike.
  • Do I need a license for this thing? Rules and regulations regarding use of light electric vehicles vary from state to state. Check with your local department of motor vehicles, but generally speaking, no license is required, and any Kilowatt Bike will be A-OK for adult riders.
  • Can I ride a Kilowatt Bike in the rain or through water? Sure, but when you are charging your battery, remove it from the bike, dry it off and charge it inside and away from the elements for safety sake.
  • Anything I need to know about storing a bike for winter? Store it as you would any other bike, but make sure the battery is fully charged. When spring comes, dust it off and charge it up. You'll be rolling again quickly.