Exposing my lack here, but does a subsidy mean bike prices rise up by a large portion of the subsidy, like federal loans increase college costs? In this case, if it passes, you won't find $500 bikes in Michigan anymore? Or will the national chains keep the low-priced ebikes as such because of competition and the short reach of one state's law?
That is a good point. My inclination is to say that the Michigan market is just too small in this case, national competition will keep the prices low. But I believe, as proposed, the voucher program does allow the MEDC to designate eligible retailers. And yeah, if that list was small enough, it might become a subsidy for bike shops instead of bicycles.
A 90% subsidy could lead to people buying an e-bike, using it for a couple months, just long enough to fry the battery by, say, repeatedly running it down to zero, then discarding the e-bike on the roadside. Or discarding it when winter arrives.
David, you see wrecked rental e-bikes all the time in Lansing and East Lansing, I'm guessing?
No rental e-bikes available in the Lansing area, I'm afraid. The e-scooters, however, were mistreated badly enough that the university kicked one company off campus because so many of them ended up in the river.
You criticize my ride to work (when the weather is nice), sir!
Have chatted about that with my wife, actually. Our sense is that, yes they are less effort, but then people ride them much more. So perhaps something close to a wash from that perspective.
It does depend on the model. Some of them are more like motor scooters but without the turn signals and brake lights. You sit on them, you don't pedal them.
Exposing my lack here, but does a subsidy mean bike prices rise up by a large portion of the subsidy, like federal loans increase college costs? In this case, if it passes, you won't find $500 bikes in Michigan anymore? Or will the national chains keep the low-priced ebikes as such because of competition and the short reach of one state's law?
That is a good point. My inclination is to say that the Michigan market is just too small in this case, national competition will keep the prices low. But I believe, as proposed, the voucher program does allow the MEDC to designate eligible retailers. And yeah, if that list was small enough, it might become a subsidy for bike shops instead of bicycles.
A 90% subsidy could lead to people buying an e-bike, using it for a couple months, just long enough to fry the battery by, say, repeatedly running it down to zero, then discarding the e-bike on the roadside. Or discarding it when winter arrives.
David, you see wrecked rental e-bikes all the time in Lansing and East Lansing, I'm guessing?
No rental e-bikes available in the Lansing area, I'm afraid. The e-scooters, however, were mistreated badly enough that the university kicked one company off campus because so many of them ended up in the river.
In my opinion they’re a nuisance and contributing to making more Americans fat. 🤷🏼♂️
You criticize my ride to work (when the weather is nice), sir!
Have chatted about that with my wife, actually. Our sense is that, yes they are less effort, but then people ride them much more. So perhaps something close to a wash from that perspective.
It does depend on the model. Some of them are more like motor scooters but without the turn signals and brake lights. You sit on them, you don't pedal them.
When we started buying, everything was Class 1 (you had to pedal). Seeing more and more Class 2 these days.