Jr. Patriot Report

by John Stumpner

You may have heard some talk about electric cars, especially with our concern for the environment. Electric vehicles have been around for a very long time though, almost as long as gas- and diesel-powered vehicles. Many of the first cars made were electric cars. But then, as now, they had the problems of being expensive and not practical for trips beyond the range of their batteries.

Electric motorcycles have been around for a long time also. Patents for an “electric bicycle” were applied for by inventors as early as 1895. An electric tandem bicycle was exhibited at a cycle show in London in 1896. In October of 1911, the magazine Popular Mechanics had an article about an electric motorcycle that could travel 75 to 100 miles at speeds up to 35 miles per hour on a single battery charge.

Electric motorcycles, however, have the same problems as electric cars, in that they are expensive and not practical for long trips. The Harley Davidson electric motorcycle, the Livewire, is a good example. The base model Livewire costs more than a Harley Davidson Electra Glide touring bike. Star Wars actor Ewan McGregor rode a Livewire cross country, but he could only ride a few hours a day and he had a support crew in regular gas-powered vehicles following him.

This does not mean that electric motorcycles cannot perform well, however. Electric motorcycles compete in their own class in both on and off-road racing. Some electric superbikes have reached speeds of over 200 miles per hour. In 2013, an electric motorcycle beat all the gas-powered motorcycles in a race to the top of Pikes Peak in Colorado.

Engineers and inventors continue to work to make newer and better batteries for electric vehicles, including electric motorcycles. At least twenty companies worldwide are selling or planning to sell electric scooters or motorcycles. Someday soon, we should have an economical electric motorcycle for those of us that would like one for a daily rider, or, with a better battery, for traveling.

Of course, ABATE of Wisconsin, which you as Junior Patriots are a part of, will be working to make sure the riders of electric motorcycles and scooters enjoy the same safe freedom of the road as the riders of conventional gas powered motorcycles.