Anyway, my bike had a 50 km range...

Not for long

Not if you are regularly deep-discharging a lead pack. And especially if ya deep-discharge a fresh lead pack without first breaking it in. The first ten-twenty cycles at no more than about 50%...

I have ruined fresh packs by deep-discharging for the first few cycles. I mean reduced cycle life to about 100 instead of the 200-300 possible.

The "problem" with fresh lead (after replacing a dying pack) is the bike suddenly becomes so "frisky" again. It's awefully tempting to play w/the reborn bike, but it'll cost ya a lot more in pack replacements over time if you're not gentle with a new pack or routinely deep-discharge.

Lock

my bike is rated for about 275lbs. I'm 150 lbs, add clothes, helmet, lock, water, smokes, wallet,etc., sometimes charger; that's about 160lbs total. i've had 3 different passengers on the back, upto about 135lbs. it was slow on the acceleration, obviously, but still moved pretty quick once it got going. drained that battery almost 2x as fast though.
i don't like how doubling affects the balance, and i that would have to sit closer to the front of the seat and end up with less leg room.
so you can exceed the weight rating of your bike, but it will struggle, and will drain a lot more wattage than if you stay within the rating.

+1 watt Ken said... All the extra energy required goes into accelerations and hill climbs. Once yer up to speed, not so much. The other range killer w/the extra weight is flattened tires so more rolling resistance.
These summer daze keep yer tire pressure to the max (check pressures when pavements and tires are hot) but many noobs will overlook tire pressure this fall as things cool off... in ten weeks or so ya otta be able to throw a few more PSI in there.
Lock

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?

Admittedly, I haven't looked into this issue, but it was my belief that carrying a passenger on an ebike/escooter was not legal in Ontario. Having said that, my seat seems to be designed for two, there are passenger footrests molded into scooter body, and grab handles. However, I consider it a minor miracle that the tiny motor can haul my significant weight, as well as 15 tins of cat food, a 10 kg bag of litter, and a couple of six packs of Mill St. Tankhouse Ale.If it can do all that, placing a smallish human on it should work, as long as I don't get hassled by The Man.

There are three things to consider when riding with a passenger.

Of course the first thing, is your ebike and your driving skills up to the task. Most ebikes have a recommended max weight limit, and the extra weight can cut down your range and hill climbing ability. It also makes the bike handle differently, being more top heavy and sluggish.

The second thing is, the bike has to be made for a passenger. According to the HTA it is illegal to ride two on a bike made for one. Publicity usually points this out, however we have come to the conclusion that a vehicle built for two is legal for two.

This third thing is, what is the age of the passenger. There is vague wording that someone under 16 cannot "ride on" an ebike. Erring on the side of a conservative interpretation of this phrase gives the conclusion that passengers are not allowed under 16. Also this same phrase is used when requiring helmets, so a 16 year old passenger suitably helmeted is legal.

Most scooter style ebikes have two-up seats, and most open frame ebikes do not. Strangely regular bicycles seem to get away with having a child's seat attached while the law would make that illegal for open frame ebikes.