Electric Bicycles for Commuters

The Times has a nice little round-up of electric bicycle options, from DIY aftermarket conversion kits for traditional pedal bikes for a few hundred to bikes like the $7k “Optibike” pictured above. Don’t expect a nuts-and-bolts breakdown of each type; the article serves best as an introduction to the wide variety there is the world of electric bikes. Some of the bikes don’t even look like bikes anymore, such as models from Veloteq, which look more like little scooters than bikes. Don’t bikes have to have pedals?

Electric bikes seem so brilliant for commuters, who often need to be able to get to work without being covered in sweat. But man, a seven thousand dollar bike would need a great big lock.

A Two-Wheeled Option (With a Battery) for Commuters [NYTimes]