Ecology North hosted its E-Bikes Unite event on Sunday, in the parking lot of the Multiplex, bringing community members together to ask questions and talk on the impact of electric bicycles.
SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 definitely a lot of interest, but then also folks that have gotten into it and are excited to share what theySA国际影视传媒檝e learned,SA国际影视传媒� said Dawn Tremblay, executive director of Ecology North. SA国际影视传媒淪o itSA国际影视传媒檚 nice to see that the vision, the idea, that there was a potential was accurate.
SA国际影视传媒淚t was nice that people had the opportunity to share to ask the questions, and then those that have the answers can share,SA国际影视传媒� she added.
The event was a first for the organization, who partnered with the Arctic Energy Alliance (AEA) to give those who attended a fun and unique opportunity, according to Tremblay.
SA国际影视传媒淚t was really nice to have have (AEA) present, they were giving folks a chance to ride their E-bike, which is really fun to try out,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭he EV electric vehicle subsidy program, I think that if there were similar programs in the (NWT), it would be really beneficial.SA国际影视传媒�
The federal subsidy distributes up to $5,000 for a new battery electric vehicle (BEV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or up $500 for a new charging station.
RELATED REPORTING: Pellet boiler projects, electric vehicle rebates part of GNWTSA国际影视传媒檚 2030 Energy Strategy Plan, says infrastructure minister
AEASA国际影视传媒檚 rebate program officially began in June 2020.
According to AEASA国际影视传媒檚 annual report for 2020-SA国际影视传媒�21, there were a five rebates given in the NWT, with four being in Yellowknife and one in Hay River.
Why E-Bikes?
Kevin Cull, communications coordinator at the AEA, was on hand for the organization to help provide additional information about e-bikes.
SA国际影视传媒淚 think theySA国际影视传媒檙e a great way for people to get around when you donSA国际影视传媒檛 necessarily want to put in all the effort of a regular bike,SA国际影视传媒� Cull said. SA国际影视传媒淏ut itSA国际影视传媒檚 a great way to save energy compared to using a car (with the) greenhouse gas emissions, youSA国际影视传媒檙e not going to be burning all that gas.SA国际影视传媒�
Cull was also able to provide details on what the most notable differences are in regards to e-bikes versus a regular, standard bicycle.
SA国际影视传媒�(On) an e-bike, youSA国际影视传媒檇 have an electric motor that does some of the work for you,SA国际影视传媒� Cull said. SA国际影视传媒淵ou still have to pedal, but you can control how much of the work it does. So if you want a bit of exercise, you can dial it back so youSA国际影视传媒檙e doing most of the work,SA国际影视传媒� he explained. SA国际影视传媒淵ou have a range for how much you put in on any given day or for any given hill.SA国际影视传媒�
Cull added that the speed of the bike, with its electric motor, can get up to around 30 km/h.
Electric bike enthusiast Phil Nolan, who attended the event, shared his excitement regarding e-bikes becoming more common in the city.
SA国际影视传媒淚 usually do two or three runs a week,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 use the same routine, very predictable, but I ended up at (Somba KSA国际影视传媒檈 Park), ISA国际影视传媒檒l just park there in front of the statues and meet some other enthusiasts. TheySA国际影视传媒檙e becoming more common.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淭heySA国际影视传媒檙e a great way to get exercise,SA国际影视传媒� Nolan continued. SA国际影视传媒淧ut your car away for a substitute to get to work.SA国际影视传媒�
The event helped to continue Ecology NorthSA国际影视传媒檚 SA国际影视传媒渒ey missionSA国际影视传媒� in bringing people and knowledge together for a healthy Northern environment, according to Tremblay.
SA国际影视传媒淚 think that learning is what allows people to make choices that will reduce their impact on Earth Day,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淎lso, the land, and the health impacts of riding a bike are great.SA国际影视传媒�
Regulations surrounding E-Bikes
