Quote:
Originally Posted by cowmeat
... I have a (hybrid) bike too and ride for exercise, but since we live out in the middle of nowhere it's not feasible to bike anywhere for errands.
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A great frustration for me about moving to Cali in 2006 for a job was the way the roads and hills and distances to everything made biking a highly impractical chore (pretty dangerous too). More paved bikepaths and lanes have come online. And I gradually realized that I could "build" a hybrid electric bike that would fit these conditions (battery power for range and torque for hills and quick movement through the wide and dangerous intersections).
I don't know your specific geography, but if you an alternate route, even an unpaved one, there might be an ebike solution for it. The direct drive brushless motors are tough as tanks when you buy a good one. Put it on a cheap mountain bike that has suspension and a country road could become a commuter trail.
But only you know what you face. I'm really happy with my current arrangement. Right now, I only drive when my daughter needs me to take her somewhere.