Cyclebutt
100 W
Looks like this thread died, just like the Aerobic Cruiser. I never got a chance to ride one (I live in Memphis but wasn't willing to pay the substantial sum required for a test ride) but I really like the design.
Why did it fail?
Timing is one reason: It would have had a better chance today because LOT'S of bike lanes have been added to the streets of Memphis. Memphis has some horrible patched up roads but many main arteries that have been completely repaved, now include bike lanes. In fact, Memphis is now at the bronze level of bike-friendly cities in the USA. Before the GreenLine, Memphis was rated as one of the worse cities to cycle in. We've come a long way!
Reason number two: The Aerobic Cruiser shop, although located very close to the GreenLine, didn't have anything to offer the average cyclist. In other words, it was a showroom for the Cruiser, NOT a typical bike shop that could service regular bikes. This was a seriously missed opportunity to build community business.
Reason number 3: Gotta have three, right? Memphis is EXTREMELY hot and humid in the summer months. The market this bike would appeal to (transportation over recreation) will not ride in the summer unless they are acclimated to it first. Memphis summers are so hot that you will break out in a sweat just stepping outside.
When riding an eBike in Memphis summers, you only sweat up your clothes while at a complete stop. That's why we eBikers time the traffic lights so we don't HAVE to come to a complete stop. Newbies don't know this. They just say, "I don't want to arrive at work sweaty, besides, where am I going to store the bike while I'm at work?"
Reason #4: "Where will I store this thing when I'm at work?" This is a valid point as the Cruiser weighs around 100 pounds. People who work at a business with a parking garage would have to lobby for secure bike racks. In fact, only a few businesses have added bike racks, even though a bike lane is right in front of their shop. These issues are being addressed, but very slowly.
I hope the Aerobic Cruiser makes a comeback. As an eBike guy and bicycle mechanic living in Memphis, I'd like to be directly involved with the comeback. All the components are off the shelf. These things would be easy to repair, modify, and up-grade. And that design, that design just looks right for a serious commuter bike for the average person. Especially older commuters that want to live a healthier, greener lifestyle.
Why did it fail?
Timing is one reason: It would have had a better chance today because LOT'S of bike lanes have been added to the streets of Memphis. Memphis has some horrible patched up roads but many main arteries that have been completely repaved, now include bike lanes. In fact, Memphis is now at the bronze level of bike-friendly cities in the USA. Before the GreenLine, Memphis was rated as one of the worse cities to cycle in. We've come a long way!
Reason number two: The Aerobic Cruiser shop, although located very close to the GreenLine, didn't have anything to offer the average cyclist. In other words, it was a showroom for the Cruiser, NOT a typical bike shop that could service regular bikes. This was a seriously missed opportunity to build community business.
Reason number 3: Gotta have three, right? Memphis is EXTREMELY hot and humid in the summer months. The market this bike would appeal to (transportation over recreation) will not ride in the summer unless they are acclimated to it first. Memphis summers are so hot that you will break out in a sweat just stepping outside.
When riding an eBike in Memphis summers, you only sweat up your clothes while at a complete stop. That's why we eBikers time the traffic lights so we don't HAVE to come to a complete stop. Newbies don't know this. They just say, "I don't want to arrive at work sweaty, besides, where am I going to store the bike while I'm at work?"
Reason #4: "Where will I store this thing when I'm at work?" This is a valid point as the Cruiser weighs around 100 pounds. People who work at a business with a parking garage would have to lobby for secure bike racks. In fact, only a few businesses have added bike racks, even though a bike lane is right in front of their shop. These issues are being addressed, but very slowly.
I hope the Aerobic Cruiser makes a comeback. As an eBike guy and bicycle mechanic living in Memphis, I'd like to be directly involved with the comeback. All the components are off the shelf. These things would be easy to repair, modify, and up-grade. And that design, that design just looks right for a serious commuter bike for the average person. Especially older commuters that want to live a healthier, greener lifestyle.