Introduction to Electric Bikes: Technical Understanding and the Health & Sustainability Benefits with Samantha Smith

WATCH RECORDING: https://youtu.be/bHxwCihqOJI

In the past couple of years, electric bikes have gained in popularity. They’re not only an amazing way to get around more sustainably, but have also been healthier and have fun in the process. This talk helps give a more holistic overview of electric bikes, and highlights some common understandings that aren’t always obvious by just doing research internet research. This talk teaches:

Technical Understanding:

o   What qualifies as an E-bike

o   The Classifications of E-bikes

o   Mid Drive Vs. Hub Motors

o   Considerations for Throttle Bikes

o   Care of Lithium-Ion Batteries for Longevity

o   Considerations for Buying Online

o   Considerations for Buying Used

 Health Benefits and Sustainability benefits of E-bikes

o   Improvements to Physical Health

o   Improve Mental Health

o   Moving Away from Fossil Fuels

o   Potential Long-Term Outcomes

Samantha Smith grew up and attended University in Michigan. In 2007, she graduated with a BS in Industrial Engineering, from Kettering University. She started her manufacturing career when she was 18, while going to school, and spent 17 years working in various manufacturing roles (Engineering, Maintenance, Production, and Quality Assurance).

Her career in manufacturing spanned several different product types, varying from automotive parts/sub-assemblies, to cabinetry, to food production. She was often involved in start-ups of new products, new equipment, or new plants. In one role with Post Foods, her plant manager planted a seed when he told her that she was more of an entrepreneur. At the time she didn’t even know what that word meant. Over the years as she began to understand that word and realized he might be right.

In 2015 she took a job with Amy’s Kitchen, in White city, and has been in the Rogue Valley ever since. She fell in love with all the natural beauty and fun activities that this area has to offer. She took up mountaineering, rock climbing, and her favorite to date is canyoneering.

As she spent time exploring the beautiful mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and canyons of the west; she became enamored with living a more simplistic, minimalist, and less consumer-driven life. She paid off her student loans and stepped away from the corporate hustle to build her own Tiny House. She had plans to start her own local zero waste shop, but the pandemic would alter those plans, and put her on the path she is on now. Learning that the previous owner was looking to retire she thought about what it would be like to own an electric bike shop. She realized that electric bikes helped her combine her passion for sustainability, and helping people live healthier lives. It would allow her to lean on both her business and technical skills developed he her previous career, and learn new skills.

Presenter’s Website: https://AshlandElectricBikes.com

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