School of Watts Part 1: The Power to Propel Bicycles

This is part 1 of a 3 part educational series we're producing all about WATTS as it applies to the world of electric bicycles. There is copious misinformation about how much power is needed to push bikes around a city, about how much power electric motors can produce, and about how this entangles with legislation. We're doing our bit to set the record straight for those wanting to be properly educated on this topic, and hopefully inform regulators on how to make more sensible ebike regulations going forward. In this first section we go in-depth about the actual power needed to move electric bikes and other PEV's on the roads, not just on flat ground but with hills, headwinds, and tailwinds. 0:00 - Introduction 0:30 - Familiarity with Watts 1:26 - Human Power Generator 2:00 - 4 Places Power Flows 4:08 - Flat Ground Power Curve 5:08 - Effects of Rolling Friction 5:50 - Effects of Bike Aerodynamics 6:30 - Effect of Winds 9:18 - Effect of Hills 11:07 - Effect of Vehicle Weight 12:35 - Summary of Bike Trip