Today, it was suggested to me by an ebike owner that putting two people on an ebike was likely not feasible, I should either buy a gas cycle or a car.

This is an issue that concerns me.

I would be the primary rider on my ebike (weight 140) but on occasion, I would like to have the ability to put one of my daughters on the back and go somewhere with them. Both of them weigh in just sub 120.

This puts our total weight at 260, and I've seen some of the bikes at a weight capacity of 265 lbs.

Do any of you double-up on your ebike, assuming that your side kick and you are still within the weight capacity of your bike?

Would you agree with the individual that suggested I look at a gas scooter instead?

Your thoughts welcome,
Tracy

You can do it, but My experience so far suggests the following:

- Buy a bigger bike.

- Avoid steep hills if possible when riding double.

- Assume you'll get a lot less range when riding double.

The bike I ride has a listed weight capacity of 180 kgs (397 lbs), and wasn't teribly pricey (about a thousand), so you can probably get a bike that can carry the two of you.

I was doubling up quite a bit for a while on a tiny scooter the mfgr says is only good for 240lbs max, like this:


...and other times I'd ride it home with 100lbs of dog food on the deck too...

I'll suggest the mfgr. absolute weight limits are a bit arbitrary, but it does mean a terrific performance hit. Overweight with tires "squished" means greatly reduced range, lousy acceleration... longer braking distances... forget about hills. Ya need to drive very conservatively.

Ya could still buy two ebikes for the cost (incl.licensing, inse.) of one gas scooter.


Lock

Tracy, you'll do just fine with something like a Veloteq Commander RS-V. That's what I ride and I'm almost the exact same weight as you, with my sidekick girlfriend weighing in about the same as your daughter. So, at 260 lbs, we're still well under the manufacturer's maximum weight capacity of 150 kilos, or 330 lbs.

Sure, it's a little slower on the get-go and much slower up steep hills, but for the most part we do just fine scooting around Toronto. YMMV.

I forgot to include a random anecdote or two of personal experience in my first reply...

I've ridden around North York a half dozen times so far with my girlfriend, and we'd total somewhere around 280-290 lbs or so together.

The extra weight means you'll be riding lower on your rear shocks most of the time, so big bumps will be felt even more.

We've also noticed a fair reduction in the rate of acceleration: on flat ground, or downhill, the bike can still attain it's maximum speed, but it takes several seconds long to reach this speed. On hills there's a definite (maybe 20%) reduction in the attainable speed.

Based on my experiences with the battery life of this bike's 48V20Ah pack, I do not think I would be able to get downtown and back on a charge with the two of us riding it at the same time. With one rider, this bike can get downtown and back with a bit of juice to spare (though I prefer to charge downtown when possible, for the sake of overall battery lifespan).

I feel much safer sticking to the North York region if I'm carrying two people.

Do some research on driving efficiently (there are some threads around here about it, I think), but expect a range reduction regardless. From what I've heard, you'll probably be most efficient driving a little below your maximum speed, and accelerating slowly requires a lot less from the battery/motor than accelerating rapidly. Maintaining a speed, once you've hit it, doesn't seem to take much juice (on flat/downwards slopes) but accelerating to that speed too quickly is the sort of battery chewing work that you'll want to avoid with two riders.

Thanks everyone. You confirmed what I suspected to be true, but since I'm not even an ebike owner (yet), I realize I have to check my assumptions.

Lock - thank you for posting that beautiful vintage picture. Love it!

Roger, thanks for the recommendation of the Veloteq commander. I have yet to visit a Veloteq shop, and must do that this summer. I'm also drooling over these guys: http://www.motorino.c...

I'm glad that I'm taking my time on learning and listening, before my purchase. This allows me to:
a) save up the right amount of money for the right bike, and
b) understand what the right bike is for me.

When I first started looking in the spring, I was all about something that was right for me AND a rider. I realize now that having someone ride with me is likely infrequent, and I would likely ride alone 85% of the time, or more. So this IS a consideration for me, but it's lower down the priority list.

I'll certainly have to make a date with myself to check out Veloteq and Motorino soon. I've had my plans for Sunday squashed, maybe I'll do that instead! Sounds like fun.

Really appreciate the input here -- thanks everyone.

Lock - thank you for posting that beautiful vintage picture. Love it!

I am in love with this Scooter Grrl




Lock

Lock, I can see why. She's magnificent!

OK now we're really getting off topic... the other love in my life:

It is absolutely do-able. I had a 500 watt Gio with a 48v 15ah battery.

I had me and my friend and all of our cargo in the containers.

We made it all the way to Downtown Toronto and back easy.

Just don't accelerate to hard and avoid coming to full stops :D.

Anyway, my bike had a 50 km range and me and my friend made it from Mississauga Rd and Lakeshore rd to the Skydome and back on one charge.