The efforts to clean the air in Canada may soon take a new tack. Exhaust from hydrocarbon fuels adds to the smog effect in our cities as people drive to work or just go to the corner convenience store for the paper. Some people have chosen to walk more as they go about their daily lives, but many RVers are interested in a power assisted bicycle or electric powered car that they can use around the neighbourhood and in the campground.

Several different brands of electrical powered bicycles are currently on the market in the USA and Canadians are anxious to find out when they will be approved for our country. Ford has brought the Th!nk Mobility bike to North America from Sweden with the power just a flick of the wrist. The Th!nk Fun and Th!nk Traveller are bicycles that combine the exercise and mobility of a standard bicycle with the option of power- assisted cycling. The Fun bike has a rigid frame, while the Traveller has a folding frame to make it more portable for RVers. These are ideal vehicles for short distance commuters, retirees, and vacationers. Powered by a 400 watt electric motor with current provided by a rechargeable battery pack that stores sunder the seat. Once you start pedalling the electric motor can start running. A rheostat on the handlebars will determine how fast you can go. Even travelling up a hill, the pedalling effort is minimal. If you stop pedalling, the motor stops. This can be recharged in about four hours from a regular household outlet or about eight hours with a charging kit that works off your car or RV. Ford of Canada tells us that we have to wait a while for Transport Canada to decide whether these will be called bicycles or motorcycles. (Top)

Ford also will sell approximately 700 Th!nk neighborhood electric cars this year that are designed for gated communities, like retirement or golf housing areas. These are being sold at the moment in the USA over the Internet, not through dealers. These vehicles will be promoted by Ford's Alternative Energy Fuel Group.

Lee Ioccoca, the visionary who designed the Ford Mustang and the Chrysler minivans, has founded EV Global Motors and is promoting the E-Bike as its first product. He has set up a strong chain of dealers and service centres for all the Light Electric Vehicles to exceed customers' expectations. Engineered with premium components, the E-Bike is built for convenience, durability, and handling. It will have a 400 watt motor, cruise control, economy mode switch, removable rechargeable sealed lead-acid battery, built-in charger, charge indicator, suspension front forks, and safety features like halogen headlights, tail light, brake light, horn and optional front disc brakes, quick release front wheel, and seven speed grip shift with Shimano deraillers. In the USA at this time, you will see police officers patrolling parks and other places where it would be difficult to drive a regular cruiser.

The E-Bike will be available in several variations- The 24-volt Standard model will achieve 14 mph with a range of 18 miles. Who needs a 3000 pound car to make a quick trip around the neighbourhood ? The Comfort will have a rear rack and soft trunk to carry items, and a comfort saddle. The Touring model will have all the standard items plus a more comfortable seat, front suspension, fenders, quick-release handlebar bag, and dual rear side panniers. (Top)

The 36-volt models include the SX, the LE, and the Police special. These bikes have a more powerful 500 watt electrical motor that has the torque to help you cross busy streets with better acceleration, and climb steep hills up to 15% grades without stalling. The rechargeable battery is projected to have a life of 5000 miles or over 250 recharges. They will have a range of over 20 miles with moderate pedalling. The Zoke front suspension with 75mm of travel for rough terrain.

The choice for RVers will probably be the folding bike that takes up only 32- inches of space when folded with a width of 14-inches. The operating length is 56- inches and weighs only 55 pounds including the battery. It is equipped with the 400 watt 24-volt DC motor with quick release coupling. There is a locking feature that only allow you to remove the battery and a master electrical switch to prevent someone form riding off with your bike. This bike is power assisted to 10 mph for a range of 15 miles. The magnetic sensor activates the motor as soon as you start pedalling. The motor automatically cuts off when you apply the brakes and it has a five-speed indexed Shimano derailler shift system.

Mark LaFontaine owns three Sportable bike shops in Ottawa and is the Canadian distributor of Ioccoca's E-Bikes. He informed us that the Federal Government passed legislation in the spring to remove electric bikes from the Motor Vehicle Safety Act as a limited speed motorcycle and are now in their own category. Provided the bikes meet certain specific criteria, they can be ridden on the roads, bike paths et al. It is now the responsibility of the Provinces to legislate their own interpretation of the act. It is likely that the Provinces will reach a consensus on the criteria by the fall of 2001 and will have legislation drafted and in place by the spring of 2002. It is the hope of the respective governments to enact the laws at the same time so that no one is ahead of the other. (Top)

Roadmaster Inc. distributes the Dual Glide electric bicycle that weighs only 45 pounds with a foldable steel frame for durability. It uses a 400 watt brushless motor that moves you along at speeds of up to 15 mph and a range of 16 miles. A charger and two 12-volt batteries are included and can be recharged from any standard electrical outlet. It has motorcycle type grip throttle, deluxe padded seat, front and rear fenders, rear luggage rack, and kick stand.

For those who want to trail a non-polluting car right away, you can order a 'Feel Good' Dauphine Electric car. No Gas, No Noise, No Emissions. Ian Clifford, President, can put you in a Renault Dauphine right away to commute to work, shop and socialize. It's a street legal vehicle that seats four ready to travel with state of the art electrics, and absolutely no noxious fumes or toxic emissions. The Dauphin will accelerate to 100 kilometres per hour, and travel about 80 km on a single charge. When you apply the brakes, the motor acts as a charger to put energy back in the batteries. No more wasting gas while idling in traffic jams or at stop lights. The motor simply shuts down. No more tuneups, leaking oil, or muffler repairs. Just plug it in. The cost to recharge the batteries averages about 77 cents a day from an 80% discharge. Battery life is equal to about 24,000 to 40,000 km of driving depending on the distance driven each day before they would need to be replaced. The cost of replacement batteries works out to about 5 cents per kilometre, and there is a grant of $1000 available from the Ontario government's 'Vehicles Powered by Alternative Fuels Refund Program' to reduce costs of the vehicle.

For more information, contact Ford at www.ford.com , contact Mark LaFontaine at marclaf@home.com , contact Ian Clifford at www.feelgoodcars.com 416-535-8395 (Top)