I wanted to say a few words about Ernest's electrical assist bicycle especially since the attached picture may be misleading.
Do not be mislead by the bike's trim and sleek design. It does not lack power or performance. Its lean. Its mean, and its Green. Its state of the art battery is located between the rear wheel and the cargo rack. Ernest leaves his Ty-Histanis home with 100 % power and arrives @Black Rock Resort with 40 % power. Black Rock Resort has kindly provided dry storage for his bike and a recharging station for his battery, so at the end of his shift, Ernest is home-bound with 100% battery power.
The bike is designed to go 20 kph if its being pedaled. Its a cruiser, not a road (speed) bike. No peddling means no electric assistance.
When Ernest peddles, even lightly, the electric assistance will assist him by maintaining the bike speed at 20 kph on a level grade. If Ernest goes over 20 kph the electric assist cuts off and he's on his own. When the electrical assist cuts in...hold on! Its powerful.
Ernest has received training to use this bike, and has passed a written exam pertaining to the use of bicycles on the roadway. Please do not ask Ernest to let you try his bike because it will sadden him to have to decline your request. This bike is a part of Ernest's employment transportation strategy and he is caring for the bike closely.
Tomorrow, Monday, Ernest will be attending TOF Cycles with his e-bike where he will be coached on required maintenance. The bike will also be outfitted with a cargo box and additional lights.
Ernest will be contributing $7.00 per pay cheque, which TBI (Tofino Bicycle Initiative) will match, in to a maintenance fund for the bike. This will ensure its maintenance and long term operation.
In the next two weeks TBI will be announcing its next bicycle initiative which pertains to a local worker who wants to cycle more, drive less! Yeah! TBI loves this! Did you know TBI (and Andrew) have installed 160 sets of high quality bike lights in the past 3 years? A special thanks to TOF Cycles for their great pricing which has allowed TBI to install so many lights.
If you would like to help TBI financially so that projects like those above can be continued, please be aware that your financial contributions are gladly accepted. The TBI donation jar is located at the front counter of the Tofino RCMP Detachment (400 Campbell St., Tofino), M -F 9 AM to 4 PM. The detachment is closed on statutory holidays.
TBI welcomes any comments or questions about their initiatives.
Cpl. Andrew Waddell is a member of the RCMP in Tofino, and a voice of Tofino Bicycle Initiative