It's been about 3 ½ years since I bought an electric bike (e-bike). I still love the thing. It’s been my go-to mode of transportation, such that I keep that fossil-fuel vehicle locked in the garage. I wanted to explain the benefits and drawbacks to these bikes so that if you are on the fence about buying one, this might help you with your decision.

Basically, an e-bike is the same as a regular bike, except that when you need extra power to go faster or harder, you can turn on a small electric motor run by a battery that will give you an assist in your pedaling (called “pedal assist”). The assist usually comes in four levels. I use the first level if I'm feeling a little tired or sore. I'll also use it if there's a decent uphill to tackle or a headwind in my face. I might use it when I'm stopped at an intersection, and I need to get a little boost to get going from that stationary position. Otherwise, I don’t even use the assist. I just use the regular 9-speed shifter. The other three levels come in handy if I'm going up roads with good-sized hills such as Dry Creek or Soda Canyon Roads.

The feeling of getting that pedal assist boost is like having an invisible Kate Courtney, the cross-country mountain bike champion, riding with you and all of a sudden she starts pedaling with you. You can almost hear her whisper, “Come on man, let's get going. That’s right.” Sure enough, you suddenly feel the ride getting a little bit easier and a little bit faster. It's a sensation that brings a smile to my face every time. (Photo, right: Laurent GillieronEPA via Shutterstock)

After riding for a certain number of miles, an indicator shows that it's time to recharge the battery. Plug it in for 4-6 hours and you’re good to go. If I use the pedal assist often, I'll get about 40-45 miles on a single charge. Newer bikes get much better mileage. Like I said, since I like to exercise, I'll rarely use the assist, so I'll get maybe 150 miles without charging.

Here are some ways you can use an e-bike, along with some possible downsides:

For saving the environment: I'm putting this first. Since using my e-bike for most of my day-to-day travel, I keep the gas-guzzler in the garage. In fact, last year I filled the tank only four times! Almost no more carbon dioxide and other harmful gases emitting into the atmosphere. Zero downside.

For work: Pedal assist can get you to your destination quicker, with less effort, and therefore with less sweat. I think that if I had gotten an e-bike before retirement, I would have commuted to my work more often (which was only about 6 miles round trip). Downside: you would be riding your bike during rush hour among drivers who are not necessarily looking for bicyclists. Therefore, it’s good to plan a route to work that avoids busy thoroughfares.

For doing errands/shopping: Add panniers (saddle bags) to your e-bike and you can do your weekly shopping. In the store, I hook my panniers to the shopping cart and fill them with my groceries. Then the cashier takes them out, scans them, and packs them back up. I can buy about 40 pounds of groceries, which is a week's shopping for me. And I don’t have to find parking at the store. Downside: limitation to the amount of stuff you can carry in one trip. You could always get a Cargo bike.

For pleasure: It's very fun and motivating to ride around on an e-bike. In fact, in the reviews and chat rooms I visited online, many people commented on how they hadn't biked for decades on a regular bike but with an e-bike they knew that if they were tired or sore, they could use the pedal assist, so they rode more often. It was motivating because it was more fun. And you don't have to be afraid about falling behind with friends who are really good riders. With an e-bike they'll be trying to keep up with you. Lastly, for people like me (over 65), it is a definite aid for those stiffening joints in the knees and hips. Downside: ebikes can be rather heavy, so it would be difficult to bring it indoors if you had stairs.

For long distance and/or hilly terrain exploring: You can go farther and faster on longer rides. Before I got my e-bike I did a 26-mile loop from central Napa, in and around the Carneros on my regular bike. I was mega-pooped. I did the same ride with my e-bike, and it took half the time, and I was just slightly winded. Now I can explore all of Napa County and beyond, especially up into the valley hills. Downside: You are limited to the mileage that your battery allows. Getting a second battery is a rather expensive option.

For fitness: Studies like this one have shown that riding an e-bike gives the rider an overall better physical exertion than regular bike riding. Although when riding an e-bike your heart rate is lower compared to a regular bike rider, you are more inclined to ride farther and more often. And since e-bikes are heavier than regular bikes, you still need to exert energy, especially if you don't use the pedal assist.

So, do you need an e-bike? If you're only riding short distances on relatively flat roads, you probably would be fine with a regular bike. If you want to do more, go farther, all the while having a big fat grin on your face, you'll want to consider an e-bike. I highly recommend going to the local bike shops in Napa and asking for a test ride. Also, dozens of e-bike companies sell their bikes online, often much more cheaply than the brick and mortar stores. I opted to buy a brand name from a local bike shop for the peace of mind of knowing that if something happened, they would be able to fix it (sometimes without charge). I also used this website as a source for what types of e-bikes are made, and what to look for in good quality parts.

So hopefully I'll see you out there on your super cool new e-bike. If I do, I’ll be smiling right back at you, while flying like the wind! Please feel free to ask any questions by emailing me at napavalleysierraclub@gmail.com. Thank you, and Happy trails!