Quiet Rush partners with TEDxCanberra 2011
Quiet Rush are proud to be supporting the TEDxCanberra experience for attendees in 2011.
I've watched as the world grapples with integrated transport planning models based on what we know of existing forms of transport, without really considering 'what's next' beyond car options and variations on old themes. It's a model caught in a paradigm paradox, where we need paradigms to make sense of the world, but because of that paradigm we become trapped or constrained in our sense-making, problem solving and innovation responses. Emergent options exist that can solve long-term population health issues arising from inactivity and introduce a cleaner, friendlier way of getting from A to B.
As a long time bicycle+motorcycle rider (and car user), I was always struck by the potential for something that sat in between these options, since they're an ideal starting point for addressing traffic congestion concerns. Travelling through Asia, speaking with European friends and seeing how a society could be mobilised at a personal level by a small vehicle, I'd often thought that if you could reduce the emissions, weight and speed of a motorcycle, there'd have to be health, social and environmental benefits. As a health professional, I also knew that it needed to be done safely.
When I spotted the eBike wave coming, I scanned to try and find something that was an ideal blend of ruggedness, simplicity, versatility and variable power, drawing on a background of 30+ years of two wheeled experiences to see and know what would last. Two years ago, I tripped across Stealth electric bikes, a young Australian manufacturing company exporting to the world. I've watched over the last 2 years as they found support in Germany, Switzerland and the US, countries that are leading world thinking in using hybrid electric bikes as a 'middle path' option to get more people riding, and out of their cars. I'm proud of the well deserved reception the bikes receive overseas. Everyone who rides one comes back with a grin from their own 'quiet rush' experience. That's why I'm delighted for Quiet Rush to now be appointed as distributors for Stealth Electric bikes and formally launching this at TedX Canberra 2011. I couldn't think of an event more suited to showing a great idea getting traction.
I believe that the hybrid electric bike is an idea worth spreading, as the world works on reviewing our relationship with the car, our dependence on oil and gets smarter about mobility. Riding them in silence allows connection between riders and our world. Being able to talk+ride+socialise and enjoy our surroundings whilst getting a fitness benefit is something we'd all do well to consider next time we want to take a car. It reflects and honours our human connectedness, breaking down the shells we've worn with our vehicles and reminds us of our individual and collective vulnerability. Assistive power makes riding accessible for those who don't feel fit enough to even try a bike. It's accessible innovation in a smaller form factor.
If you're wondering about the lifecycle assessment of eBikes, recent work done by Shreya Dave at MIT found that eBikes are
Go on, evolve your ride. :-)
Brian Hill
Founder: Quiet Rush
I've watched as the world grapples with integrated transport planning models based on what we know of existing forms of transport, without really considering 'what's next' beyond car options and variations on old themes. It's a model caught in a paradigm paradox, where we need paradigms to make sense of the world, but because of that paradigm we become trapped or constrained in our sense-making, problem solving and innovation responses. Emergent options exist that can solve long-term population health issues arising from inactivity and introduce a cleaner, friendlier way of getting from A to B.
As a long time bicycle+motorcycle rider (and car user), I was always struck by the potential for something that sat in between these options, since they're an ideal starting point for addressing traffic congestion concerns. Travelling through Asia, speaking with European friends and seeing how a society could be mobilised at a personal level by a small vehicle, I'd often thought that if you could reduce the emissions, weight and speed of a motorcycle, there'd have to be health, social and environmental benefits. As a health professional, I also knew that it needed to be done safely.
When I spotted the eBike wave coming, I scanned to try and find something that was an ideal blend of ruggedness, simplicity, versatility and variable power, drawing on a background of 30+ years of two wheeled experiences to see and know what would last. Two years ago, I tripped across Stealth electric bikes, a young Australian manufacturing company exporting to the world. I've watched over the last 2 years as they found support in Germany, Switzerland and the US, countries that are leading world thinking in using hybrid electric bikes as a 'middle path' option to get more people riding, and out of their cars. I'm proud of the well deserved reception the bikes receive overseas. Everyone who rides one comes back with a grin from their own 'quiet rush' experience. That's why I'm delighted for Quiet Rush to now be appointed as distributors for Stealth Electric bikes and formally launching this at TedX Canberra 2011. I couldn't think of an event more suited to showing a great idea getting traction.
I believe that the hybrid electric bike is an idea worth spreading, as the world works on reviewing our relationship with the car, our dependence on oil and gets smarter about mobility. Riding them in silence allows connection between riders and our world. Being able to talk+ride+socialise and enjoy our surroundings whilst getting a fitness benefit is something we'd all do well to consider next time we want to take a car. It reflects and honours our human connectedness, breaking down the shells we've worn with our vehicles and reminds us of our individual and collective vulnerability. Assistive power makes riding accessible for those who don't feel fit enough to even try a bike. It's accessible innovation in a smaller form factor.
If you're wondering about the lifecycle assessment of eBikes, recent work done by Shreya Dave at MIT found that eBikes are
- 18 times more energy efficient than a SUV
- 13 times more energy efficient than a sedan
- 6 times more energy efficient than rail transit
- and, of about equal impact to the environment as a conventional bicycle.
Go on, evolve your ride. :-)
Brian Hill
Founder: Quiet Rush
Now that you're here..
Since you've been interested and curious enough to come this far, we thought we'd take the opportunity to include some links and videos that we think reflect related ideas worth spreading. Have a look, be inspired, get active. Spread the word and don't forget to come back and pay us a visit from time to time. Perhaps take a little time to check out the Fighter or Bomber eBikes we supply and get in touch if you're interested.
Check out these stories and links(Note: these links will open in a new window and take you off our site) Three powerful stories about developing bicycle infrastructure in Australia Riding your bike is good for the economy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws |
Rocky Mountain Institute |
