Electric assist bike for 21yo F

[warthog1]

My daughter has epilepsy that was well controlled.
No seizures for over 5 years.
Anyway she has moved out of home.
Been having energy drinks and going without sleep.
Drove a housemate to hospital and waited outside in her car all night.
Lack of sleep is a seizure trigger.
She had a seizure at her boyfriends place.
Car is parked up at our place now.
Have a neurology appointment in a couple of weeks.
Depending on the result she may need a bike longer term.
What am I looking for in an electric assist goer to get her around town?
In Vic.

[Gordonhooker]

She is in our prayers brother.

[warthog1]

She is in our prayers brother.

Cheers mate.
A wake up call for her to take more care.

I know nothing about ebikes though.
Apart from the fact they can be quite expensive.

[find_bruce]

That's a bugger.

You are diving into yet more choices. I've been looking around for my wife, but holding off till supplies return. I would suggest a mid drive if funds extend to that - prices start at $2,500 & will consume as much of your budget as it will allow. All the cheaper bikes have hub motors. In my limited experience a mid drive gives a much smoother delivery of power. Pick a reputable brand motor - Bosch & Shimano are the most common in Aus, Giant / Liv come with yamaha which seem to be ok & fazua has a good reputation in Europe but is uncommon in Aus.

Terrain is also important - much in the way of hills & I would suggest looking at a higher torque model - they're typically between 40 & 80 Nm

Range depends on battery, is usually way longer than you need & adds significantly to cost which is usually unnecessary if rides are in the 5-10 range

What are the things that your daughter values - riding position, need to carry stuff, be it shopping, uni, work etc. There is so much choice that personal preferences can help steer you in the best direction.

The other thing to consider is security - the value of ebikes makes them more of a target for theives.

[warthog1]

Thanks Bruce
That arms me with far more knowledge than I had.
I have been looking at a few Giant models as I know and trust the local Giant dealer and know they are good with warranty.
Yamaha electric motors are ok I hope. Other yamaha products seem good.

[find_bruce]

I've only heard good things about them, especially from a mate who has one, with a couple more in his family. I borrowed his for a week long test & was very impressed. I seem to recall Christopher had some reservations about yamaha, but that was a while ago so not sure if they have been resolved.

Good support is an excellent reason for preference. I always have to remind myself to check the Liv brand as well - Giant's women's range.

Other bit I forget is which name has what torque. From lowest to highest torque the syncdrive models are

• Core . . . . . . 50Nm
• Life . . . . . . . 60Nm
• Sport . . . . . 70Nm
• Pro . . . . . . . 80Nm

[warthog1]

Thanks again!

[RonK]

Get her an e-scooter.

[warthog1]

Get her an e-scooter.

A couple of workmates have them but legality is questionable in Vic

Is my scooter legal?
If your motorised scooter:

is powered by a petrol motor
has an electric motor with a maximum power greater than 200 watts
has a maximum speed greater than 10 km/h
then it cannot be legally used on a road or any road related areas, including footpaths, share paths and public areas. The fine for an illegal device is $826. Other penalties may also apply.

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety- ... al-devices

[MattyK]

Definitely need at least 3000W.

[RonK]

Get her an e-scooter.

A couple of workmates have them but legality is questionable in Vic

Is my scooter legal?
If your motorised scooter:

is powered by a petrol motor
has an electric motor with a maximum power greater than 200 watts
has a maximum speed greater than 10 km/h
then it cannot be legally used on a road or any road related areas, including footpaths, share paths and public areas. The fine for an illegal device is $826. Other penalties may also apply.

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety- ... al-devices

A trial is about to commence. Private use is sure to follow. Happy to advise about e-scooter essentials

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-03 ... /100429144

[warthog1]

A trial is about to commence. Private use is sure to follow.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-03 ... /100429144

Thanks.
Trial is in Ballarat not Bendigo.
Need to make a decision in a couple of weeks depending on neurology appointment.
I don't see them being legal within 12 months based on that, at which time she will have her licence back based on continued seizure control only.
It may be shorter given there is a known trigger consistent with her diagnosis.
Either way it aint happening if they aren't controlled.

[Mr Purple]

If it helps the Australian fitness to drive standards are all available online.

https://austroads.com.au/__data/assets/ ... ug2017.pdf

I’d be saying 12 months for that one, a neurologist might differ.

Best of luck with her recovery.

[trailgumby]

My daughter has epilepsy that was well controlled.
No seizures for over 5 years.
Anyway she has moved out of home.
Been having energy drinks and going without sleep.
Drove a housemate to hospital and waited outside in her car all night.
Lack of sleep is a seizure trigger.
She had a seizure at her boyfriends place.

So glad your daughter is unharmed. I saw a motorbike rider go down with a seizure a few moons ago. He was stationary at the traffic lights corner of Spit and Military Roads, Mosman. The light went green just a couple of seconds later. Fortunately nobody moved until he was secured and safe. If he'd had the seizure a few seconds after the light went green instead of before ...

I hope the neurology appointment brings good news.

[foo on patrol]

My daughter has epilepsy that was well controlled.
No seizures for over 5 years.
Anyway she has moved out of home.
Been having energy drinks and going without sleep.
Drove a housemate to hospital and waited outside in her car all night.
Lack of sleep is a seizure trigger.
She had a seizure at her boyfriends place.
Car is parked up at our place now.
Have a neurology appointment in a couple of weeks.
Depending on the result she may need a bike longer term.
What am I looking for in an electric assist goer to get her around town?
In Vic.

Jebus mate, you don't need that worry! I hope that it gets sorted and she sees it as a wake up call!

Foo

[warthog1]

Thanks fellas.
All good so far.
I think it has made her reassess her self care.

[trailgumby]

Thanks fellas.
All good so far.
I think it has made her reassess her self care.

Good to hear warty.

[warthog1]

If it helps the Australian fitness to drive standards are all available online.

https://austroads.com.au/__data/assets/ ... ug2017.pdf

I’d be saying 12 months for that one, a neurologist might differ.

Best of luck with her recovery.

Sorry, missed your post yesterday.
Yes I had already investigated and found that document.
I printed the Seizures and Epilepsy section off and took it with us to the GP appointment.
There is a table commencing on pg89 regarding the driving standards as it applies to seizures.
On pg92 there is a section;
Possible reductions in the non-driving seizure-free periods for a conditional licence (cont’d)
Seizures in a person
under treatment
whose epilepsy
was previously well
controlled
‘Well controlled’ is
defined as:
There were no seizures
during the 12 months
leading up to the last
seizure.

A conditional licence may be considered by the driver
licensing authority subject to at least annual review,
taking into account information provided by the treating
doctor as to whether the following criteria are met:
• the seizure was caused by an identified provoking
factor; and
• the provoking factor can be reliably avoided; and
• the provoking factor has not caused previous
seizures; and
• there have been no seizures for at least four weeks;
and
• the person follows medical advice, including
adherence to medication (periodic serum drug level
measurements may be required)
OR
• no cause for the seizure was identified; and
• there have been no seizures for at least three
months; and
• the person follows medical advice, including
adherence to medication.
If the person has experienced one or more seizures during
the 12 months leading up to the last seizure, there is no
reduction and the default standard applies.

The GP read that and left it to the neurologist as it will be within the 4 weeks when we see him.
I am assuming there will be an EEG at least and possibly an increase in her medication dose, which has had great control but hasn't changed since they trialed removing it 5 years ago.
We haven't been seeing this guy long, but he was recommended by her paediatric neurlogist who was excellent (Dr Michael Harbord in Adelaide)

As it stands she knows to stay off energy drinks and reliably get her sleep.