Today several members of Travel Lane County – Eugene Cascades & Coast had an opportunity to try something old with a new twist. We rode electric bikes! Eugene Electric Bikes in downtown Eugene, close to our convention facilities, offered up an opportunity to try out their bikes. www.eugeneelectricbicycles.com
It’s been a bit of time since I last rode a bike but the old adage is that you never forget how to ride a bike. The type of memory which understands the ‘how and what’ of things is the procedural memory, which is basically attributed with keeping a ‘know-how’ of things. It is an unconscious memory, which helps you understand how stuff works. Once you learn how to ride a bike, you can never forget it because it gets stored within the procedural memory, making it impossible to get out. I actually looked this up before heading out to test out the bikes.
Looking at the bike you see the basic concept of a bicycle with an added battery located on the frame, just under the adjusting seat, a power assist button and a throttle. The bike I rode had 7 fully functional gears that worked without the throttle assist – and yes I remembered how to ride the bike. After riding for a moment the key was turned on to the battery, I pushed the throttle assist and it was great. Zipping around made you feel like a kid again, with a helmet on. But I pretended that the wind was whipping through my hair as I turned the corners and had a huge grin plastered on my face. This is certainly one reason I live where I live – the outdoors is accessible and people are always creating new ways to enjoy it. So come join me, I think that I shall be renting a bike soon for a zip around the bike trails.
