My Commute: Electrified

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by James Englert, PCI #1081
Arapahoe County (CO) Sheriff’s Office
IPMBA Industry Liaison

I love to ride my bike. If there is ever an opportunity or excuse to ride instead of drive, I will. Commuting to work has always been a sore point for me. I live about 30-40 minutes away from my work. I know that isn’t bad compared to other places, but I feel that time spent commuting is wasted time.

During the nicer times of the year – mostly April thru mid-October – I started commuting on bike whenever I could, depending on what I needed to take and how much time I had before and/or after work.

When I first started to commute by bike, I was riding my road bike. My commute was about 14 miles each way. It was a decent workout because I was usually wearing a big backpack. After a few months, I got tired of cleaning my road bike for afternoon and weekend rides.

I started thinking that I would like to have a bike just for commuting. I bought a cheaper single-speed bike that wasn’t very light, but it got the job done. I definitely felt like I was getting a workout riding to and from work, almost to the point that I didn’t want to ride on the weekends. But honestly, I got tired of not having gears for the hills I encountered along the way.

For various reasons, I stopped commuting by bike for several years. Recently I started again after discovering another option…an e-bike.

I’d been interested in e-bikes but stayed away from them, mainly because of the price. But with technological advances and increased interest (and more makes and models), the prices have come down. So I decided to investigate further.

I didn’t intend for this to be a review but it may sound like one.

At our 2018 conference at Washington University in Saint Louis, I met Brain Rinckenberger with RAD Power Bikes. When he told me that the average cost of a RAD Power Bike was around $1700, I was surprised. In my mind, that is a reasonable price for a bike, especially an e-bike. My hopes of actually cycling to work again were now possible.

I was really interested in the RADWagon. My thinking was that I could use saddlebags on the back to carry extra equipment (like my lunch) to work, and other times I could use the bike to run errands or carry my kids around town.

I purchased a RADWagon in early July. The bike was shipped directly to my house. It took a little over an hour to assemble.

Here is the list of specs copied and pasted from the RAD website.

· Powerful 750W Shengyi direct drive hub motor with regen braking

· 48V 14Ah (672Wh) Lithium-Ion battery using Samsung cells (rated for 800 charge cycles)

· Total Payload Capacity: 350 lbs

· Running Boards: 40 lbs per side

· 20 mph top speed

· Estimated 25-45+ mile range

· Half twist throttle and intelligent five-level pedal assist

· Full LCD display including speedometer, wattmeter, and odometer

· Integrated headlight

· 28’’ cargo rack with wood panels (20 mm diameter tubing)

· 21-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain

· Dual-leg, spring-loaded kickstand

· 180 mm Tektro mechanical disc brakes

· 26” x 2.3” Kenda K-Rad Tires

· Bike Weight: 72 lbs

After riding the bike for several months and more than a thousand miles, I have to say I’m a big fan.

I really like the five levels of pedal assist. Depending how tired I am or how much of a workout I want, I change the levels of pedal assist. The throttle is nice to have, too, although I usually only use it when starting out at intersections.

I do have to say my new e-bike has made commuting by bike a lot easier. Depending on the traffic lights, it only takes me about 20-30 minutes longer to get to work or home.

RAD Power Bikes is only one of many e-bike companies out there, but to date I have not ridden any other brands.

If you feel like it just isn’t possible to cover all the ground you need to on a bike, I encourage you to think about trying an e-bike for on- or off-duty use. It may just expand your cycling horizons.

James is a deputy with Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. He has worked in the jail, as a patrol deputy, and has been a School Resource Officer (SRO) since 2005. He was certified as an IPMBA Police Cyclist in 2006 and as an IPMBA Instructor in 2008. He has raced as a category 2 in USCF and ACA and as an Expert in NORBA. He enjoys riding his bike whenever he can, including commuting to work, most recently on an e-bike. James was elected to the IPMBA Board in 2012 and currently serves as Industry Liaison. He can be reached at jenglert9926@yahoo.com.

Photo Courtesy RAD Power Bikes.

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