Folding Electric Bike - Why Not?

As I continue to cruise the internet and drool over the ebikes I keep bumping into the folding electric bikes .... and I think they are really cool.

I really can't think of anyone who couldn't benefit from one. I would think a folding electric bike would be a no brainer for say, for example, anyone living in Manhattan (or any other condensed city location)- simply for the short trips, small apartment sizes and the ability to fold it up and carry it onto the subway, train or bus.

Everyone else should have one in the trunk of their Hummmer for emergencies & fun. The ability to cruise 20 miles or so after a flat or a breakdown could come in handy in the middle of the night or on the way to that important meeting.

So, as a secondary means of transportation I really like the folding electic bikes. They are a tad more expensive, but there's something sort of James Bond about them that kind of makes it worth it.

Coming in at under $650 the the iZip EZgo seems to be the entry level folding ebike. This little sucker boasts 25 miles on a charge and 15 mph max speed - similar to the entry level Mountain Bike mentioned previously, but the portability is a big plus - for trips to the shore, or, just in case your girlfriend or wife wont let you go anywhere near the street in anything smaller than a car - you can pack it up for your city/town bike trails.

For those of us (you) who aren't on such a tight budget, take your "greeness" to higher levels - or are just toy junkies, there is another end to the folding electric bike spectrum.

This bad boy is the Urban Mover Terrain Folding Electric Bike. With its full size 26 inch wheels (as opposed the 16 inchers on the Izip EZgo) this puppy should ride and feel more like a "regular" bike and less like a novelty - with all the convenience of smaller folding electric bicycles.

At $1700, it's gonna run you a pretty penny ... but DANG that a pretty ebike!