THE EVERETT ADVOCATE–Friday, September 27, 2019 Page 25 a enioroioiavvy Senior avvy avyvy vy y enioornion rniiori Electric Bikes Are Booming Among Baby Boomers Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about electric bicycles? A friend of mine, who’s almost 70, recently got one and absolutely loves it. He told me he rides more now than he ever did his regular bicycle. Interested Boomer Dear Interested, Electric bikes have become very popular among U.S. baby boomers over the past few years because they’re super fun to ride and easier on an aging body. Electric bikes, also known as e-bikes, are conventional bicycles with a battery-powered “pedal” or “throttle” assist. When you saddle up and push the pedals or throttle, a small motor engages and gives you a boost, so you can whiz up hills, ride into headwinds and cruise over challenging terrain without gassing yourself or taxing your knee joints. Many older e-bike owners say that they ride more frequently and go further and longer than they ever would with a traditional bike. Here’s what you should know about e-bikes, along with some tips to help you choose one. What to Know E-bikes are more complicated and expensive than regular bicycles, so you need to do some research before you purchase one. For starters, you need to know that there are three diff erent types of e-bikes to choose from: • Class 1: “Pedal-assist” electric bikes that only provides assistance when the rider is pedaling, and only up to 20 miles per hour. These are the most common type of electric bikes. • Class 2: “Throttle-assist” e-bikes that let you use the electric motor without pedaling, like a motorcycle or scooter, but only up to 20 miles per hour. • Class 3: “Speed pedal-assist” e-bikes, similar to Class 1, except that the motor will assist with bike speeds of up to 28 miles per hour. Because they’re electrically powered, states and local communities have varying regulations regarding the use of e-bikes. In many states, class one and two e-bikes are allowed to be ridden wherever a traditional bike goes, while class three are generally allowed on the street due to their higher top speed. For more information on your state’s e-bike laws, visit PeopleForBikes.org/e-bikes. You should also know that e-bikes come in many different styles – commuter, cruiser, mountain, road, folding, etc. – just like traditional bikes to meet diff erent riding needs. They also run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, and their motors are either hub-driven mounted on the front or rear wheel, or mid-drive motors that are mounted to the frame at the bottom bracket between the cranks. The only downsides of e-bikes are weight and cost. Because of the battery and motor, e-bikes are much heavier than traditional bicycles weighing 50-plus pounds, so it can be more challenging if you have to manually lift or maneuver your bike a lot. And e-bikes are expensive, typically range between $2,500 and $3,500. E-bikes are made by many of the same established companies that make traditional bikes like Specialized, Electra, Schwinn, Trek, Giant, Cannondale and Felt, along with a number of upstarts like Juiced Faraday, Pedego, Elby and Hi Bike. To shop for an e-bike, fi nd some good bike shops in your area that sell them so you can test ride a few. If you’re interested in a cheaper option, there are also e-bike kits you can purchase at places like Walmart, Amazon.com and eBikeKit.com that can convert your regular bike into an e-bike for a few hundred dollars. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Everett Community Art Walk to open on Oct. 1 M ayor Carlo DeMaria and Integral Arts Everett President/Founder Karyn Alzayer are pleased to announce the first annual Everett Community Art Walk. The Art Walk is a citywide, monthlong art scavenger hunt that will be on display throughout various city locations. With 30 participating organizations ready to host 50 pieces of artwork, the Everett Community Art Walk is poised to present an engaging art adventure while showcasing local artists and boosting traffi c to local businesses. “I am so proud of Karyn for putting this important collaboration together. By fostering local partnerships between artists, nonprofi ts, businesses, and the city, we are putting culture at the center of economic and community development,” said DeMaria. “I also want to thank our state delegation and the Everett Cultural Council for funding this event.” Visitors are invited to explore the city and find artwork hidden throughout local businesses and community organizations. A ribbon cutting ceremony kicking off the Art Walk will take place on October 1 at 11:30 a.m. in the City Hall lobby (484 Broadway). The exhibit will be free and open to the public and will be suitable for all ages. It will continue throughout the entire month of October, and participants can view artwork on display anytime during the month. Scavenger hunt maps will be available in all participating locations as well as online throughout the month. Participants are encouraged to try to fi nd all the hidden artwork throughout the city, and document their fi ndings on their map or on social media. “We really can’t wait to welcome people to participate in this,” said Alzayer. “We worked really hard to come up with a fun way to invite folks to explore local businesses, connect with our community, and be invested in all that Everett has to off er. And the arts are always a great way to foster that kind of engagement. We are truly proud to be presenting this gift to the residents here, and we hope you enjoy it and have fun.” ART WALK | SEE PAGE 30 OBITUARIES Celeste (Damiano) Iocco Of Everett, on September 18, beloved wife of the late Giuseppe Iocco. Loving mother of Filomena DiGiovanni and her husband Mark of Beverly. She is survived by her beloved grandson Brian DiGiovanni, sister of Vittoria, Giovanni and Nicolo and the late Paride. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. In lieu of fl owers, donations in Celeste's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Rd., Waltham 02452. • Burials • Cremations • Pre-Arrangements • Serving the Greater Boston and North Shore regions for over 250 years! It is our purpose to give thoughtful service, and if in so doing, we have helped to lighten your burden, our goal has been accomplished. We sincerely hope that our service will be deserving of your confidence and wish to offer our continued friendship. 331 Main Street, Everett, MA 02149 Valet Parking Available (617) 387-4180 www.roccofuneralhomes.com
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