FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

WHAT'S INCLUDED WITH MY TOUR?

This is a SELF-GUIDED TOUR, but groups of 5 or more require a docent. Our volunteer docents can help guide you to your destinations, assist you on your route options, and help secure your E-bikes while you shop, eat, hike, etc. Each rider will be given a comprehensive tutorial on how to use the electric bike. It'll be just like riding a conventional bike, only with an extra boost of power! You still have to pedal, but the "power-assist" modes allow you to exert little energy. You are welcome to bring and wear your own helmet, but we also rent them for $5 each. Helmets are required for safety. We can give you helpful tips and information to make your tour FUN and MEMORABLE!

WHAT TO KNOW:

Please arrive 30 minutes BEFORE your scheduled E-Bike rental time to select your safety gear, use the restroom, and so that we can provide a comprehensive orientation for your tour.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

We recommend wearing high-visibility clothing for your ride and closed-toe shoes; no sandals. If you have an approved helmet, feel free to bring it along. We also rent helmets for $5 each. You can bring water/snacks along if you'd like, but there are plenty of places to stop/shop. A small backpack is ideal if you plan to shop. 

CANCELLATION POLICY

Please provide at least 48 hours of notice if you wish to cancel. 100% refunds are issued if you give 48 hours or more notice before your scheduled appointment. Cancellations made 48 hours or less before your scheduled appointment are subject to a 25% non-refundable deposit. If rain or inclement weather interrupt your appointment, we may be able to reschedule your appointment, but it will be based on availability. We can work with you to reschedule your appointment, however, refunds are not issued due to inclement weather. Sometimes, we can wait a little while and then get your tour underway once the bad weather has passed! 

I DON'T SEE A TIME THAT I PREFER FOR MY TOUR...WHAT CAN I DO?

Just call us! We may be able to CREATE a time for your tour, but this, of coarse, will be entirely based upon availability. As an example, if you prefer a 9am tour start time on the date that you wish to book your tour, but we only offer a 10am tour start time that day, we can adjust the tour booking option online...and then VIOLA! We made it work for you! Call us at 815-228-4960. We have set the tour times based on the number of available E-Bikes and recharging time, so we may not be able to accommodate all requests. Thank you for understanding! 

HOW FAST DO E-BIKES GO?

It usually depends on the model of E-Bike you are riding. Most electric bikes in the U.S. will provide you with assist up to 20 mph. There are some that will assist you up to 28 mph, but you need to be providing a significant amount of your own pedal power to get to that top speed. 

HOW FAR CAN AN E-BIKE GO ON ONE CHARGE?

Most electric bikes have a range of 20-30 miles and that depends on the riding conditions (hills, headwinds, etc.), how much pedal power you are providing, and how much weight you are moving (yourself + cargo). You can get E-Bikes with more range (up to 100 miles) but they are generally more expensive and weigh more because of the larger battery pack.

HOW MUCH POWER DOES AN ELECTRIC BIKE HAVE?

Generally E-Bikes in the U.S. will range from 250 watts to 750 watts. 750 watts is the maximum power to still be a considered a bicycle and that equates to 1 horsepower.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY ON AN E-BIKE?

Most E-Bike batteries will fully charge from empty in 3 to 6 hours, depending on the battery size.

WHAT DOES IT COST TO CHARGE AN ELECTRIC BICYCLE BATTERY?

In general it will cost $0.03 to $0.10 to charge an electric bike battery pack. This will depend on what your local electricity supplier charges.

HOW MANY CHARGES CAN I GET OUT OF ONE ELECTRIC BIKE BATTERY?

Most E-Bike batteries sold in North America are lithium-ion, which will provide a minimum of 500 full charge cycles at which point the battery will hold about 80% of its original capacity. Some batteries can deliver up to 1200 charge cycles. If you recharge the battery when it is only 50% depleted, that counts as only 1/2 of one charge cycle. If you usually use your e-bike in pedal-assist mode, combining both pedal power and electric power, you can expect to go 10,000-30,000 miles before replacing your battery. That is a lot of miles on a bicycle!

THROTTLE-ASSIST OR PEDAL-ASSIST...WHICH ONE IS BETTER?

It depends on your riding preference. Some people like throttle because it allows them to cruise along with or without pedaling. Pedal assist adds assist as soon as you start pedaling and people who are used to riding conventional bikes tend to prefer this system. Many E-Bikes in the U.S. have both throttle and pedal assist so you may not have to choose between the systems. If you have to choose between them, make sure you spend a significant amount of time riding both systems to determine what works best for you.

CAN I BUY AN E-BIKE FROM UTICA ELECTRIC BIKE RENTALS, INC.?

Yes, but it will be based on availability. We often have NEW and USED E-Bikes available for sale. Just call us at 815-433-5000 option 2 for availability.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BUY A NEW OR USED E-BIKE?

New E-Bikes range in price from $500 to $10,000+ but the average price range for quality electric bikes is $1,200 to $3,500. Used E-Bikes are less expensive, but prices will vary greatly, depending on the E-Bike model.

SHOULD I BUY AN E-BIKE WITH A MID-DRIVE MOTOR OR A HUB MOTOR?

They both have their benefits. Hub motors tend to be a little easier to operate if you are a less experienced cyclist, because they require less shifting of gears. Mid-drives tend to get a little better range for equivalent battery capacity, because you'll get more efficiency by shifting. While theoretically you get better hill climbing with a mid-drive, you'll usually find both types will climb just about any hill. Finally, it's usually easier to change a rear tire with a mid-drive. But the real test of determining which type of motor is best for you is to ride both and compare.

HOW MUCH DOES AN E-BIKE WEIGH?

Generally E-Bikes range from 45 pounds to 60 pounds. Of course, this greatly depends on the model. 

WHAT MAINTENANCE IS NEEDED ON AN E-BIKE?

Maintenance on an E-Bike is similar to that of a regular bike. There are certain items to look at every trip while others may only need to be looked at once a year. Just remember your ABC's. A is for AIR.....AIR IN THE TIRES. It is important that you check your tire pressure before every ride. Yes...every ride. If you were to take a gravel corner on an under-inflated tire, you could have less control. Every E-Bike tire has the recommended PSI rating displayed on the sidewall of the tire. B is for BRAKES. They can last a lot longer if you need them less, and you'll replace them more often if you stop and go more, use them going down hills, and a variety of other usage factors. If you hear a squelch when stopping, or find it is taking longer for you to stop, inspect your brake pads for wear. And finally, C is for CHAIN. Keep the chain lubricated. Use a special lubrication that states it is for bicycle chains. The package will specify this information. Another consideration is the maintenance of the battery. When you charge the battery, allow it to get FULL before using it. In other words, don't just charge it while you eat and then get back on to ride. You'll want it to get a FULL charge. Also take care to not allow it to drain down completely to empty. Ideally, you should get 500 or more charges out of the life of an E-Bike battery. 

HOW DO YOU CHARGE AN E-BIKE?

To charge an E-Bike, you simply plug it into any wall outlet, just like you would charge a cell phone or laptop computer. The charger is about the size of a laptop’s charger, making it easy to store in a backpack. Some people even mount their chargers on their E-Bike so they always have their charger with them. You can also remove the battery from the bike and bring it inside (your home, office, hotel, etc.) to charge it.

WHY DO YOU ASK HOW TALL I AM WHEN I BOOK AN E-BIKE TOUR?

E-Bikes come in many sizes and frame styles to fit everyone. We want to make sure your fitment is tailored to your height, giving you comfort and ensuring your safety.

CAN I TAKE A TEST RIDE BEFORE I MAKE A DECISION ON BUYING AN E-BIKE?

Of course! Give us a call today at 815-433-5000 option 2 and see which bikes we currently have available. We would love to have you try one before you buy one – we know you'll enjoy your test ride! E-Bikes are so fun! Most folks return from their test ride with a HUGE smile on their face.

CAN CHILDREN RENT AN E-BIKE AT UTICA ELECTRIC BIKE RENTALS, INC.?

We prefer that children age 12 and older ride on our E-Bikes. This is because of the height requirements to fit the rider and to ensure their comfort and safety. Also, these E-Bikes are expensive to replace, costing over $1,500-$3,000, depending on the model. We understand that some children are taller and are sometimes more experienced riders. We may allow younger riders when it is evident that a child is a avid bike rider and able to handle the E-Bike with ease. This decision is of the discretion of the owner/management and we appreciate your understanding. 

DO YOU OFFER CHILD SEATS OR E-BIKE CHILD TRAILERS/STROLLERS?

No. Sorry, we DO NOT offer E-Bike child trailers or strollers at this time. This is mostly because some of the paths and trails of the tours are bumpy in some areas. Some of the tours take you on busy roadways and streets. Occasionally, a trail may be washed out due to heavy rains or flooding. We may offer them in the future, but currently, they are NOT available.   

CAN WE BRING OUR OWN BIKES AND CHILDREN'S BIKES ALONG WITH THE TOUR?

Yes. You can bring your own bikes along with the tour, but keep in mind that E-Bikes are FASTER, and can allow a rider to go FURTHER without getting tired. 

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT ELECTRIC BICYCLES?

Check out our E-Bike Information page by clicking HERE or our E-Bike Lifestyle page by clicking HERE. You can call us at 815-433-5000 option 2. We are happy to answer any questions. If you e-mail us at HarborInn@HeritageHarborOttawa.com, we usually respond within 48 hours. Thank you for your interest in Electric Bikes.