My E Bike

Why I Chose an E-Bike

I’ve been riding an E-bike for several years now — though, truthfully, it wasn’t something I ever thought I’d want. But after developing a lung condition, I had to make a choice: give up riding altogether or find a new way to stay on two wheels.

Biking has always been a big part of my life. Before I got sick, I’d ride several hundred kilometers a week just for the joy of it. But once my health changed, even a small hill or a headwind became a serious problem. I could still ride, but it wasn’t enjoyable — it was exhausting and risky.

Then one day, I saw someone cruising by on an E-bike that immediately caught my eye. I actually got in my car and followed them just to find out what kind of bike it was. That same afternoon, I drove to Medicine Hat and picked one up from Cyclepath — the only shop in southern Alberta selling E-bikes at the time.

That decision got me back on the road — and back to something I love.

E bikes are not cheap!

Let’s be honest — E-bikes aren’t cheap. Compared to a regular bike, they’re a significant investment. But if you’re an avid rider and it’s your only way to stay on the road, the cost can absolutely be worth it.

Motorcycles were never an option for me — I’ve never been a big fan. I just wanted something simple for getting around town and the occasional ride around Lethbridge. But after buying the E-bike, I quickly discovered it was useful for a lot more than I expected.

At campgrounds, it’s perfect for running to the office or grabbing a few things from a nearby store. When visiting small towns, it lets you explore without dealing with traffic or finding parking.

One thing to keep in mind: they’re not as powerful as some people think. On flat ground or a gentle incline, you can hit speeds up to 32 km/h. But when you’re facing steep hills or strong headwinds, you’ll still need to pedal — it’s pedal-assist, not a motorcycle.

The bike sits nicely on the back of the White Turtle II. If there is anything I don’t like with the bike on the van is that I cannot fully open the rear doors. It is not a huge deal and I can live with it.

Power

One problem with an E bike is the recharge time. It takes a couple hours to fully charge. Depending where I am I try to find a plug in. This does not work well to just sit around for two hours to charge the bike. Then I decided to try using the onboard inverter in the turtle. IT WORKED!!! I can now drive and charge the battery. It opens up a lot of options. Not only do I have the onboard batteries for lights, heat and fridge but with the 110v inverter I can charge all the extra gear I carry.

Should you get an E bike?

If you want to get out and enjoy some riding but you need extra help with pedaling I highly recommend a E bike. You still get fresh air and exercise, but with an E bike you get help as well. Plus an E bike is great for exploring while you are camping so you do not have to drive everyplace!!