Harley? Nah, This Hog's More Like a Schwinn

Photo By Spc. Naveed Ali Shah | A 49 CC engine purrs quietly on the frame of Staff Sgt. Philip Osborne's motor-assisted bicycle.  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

08.18.2008

Story by Spc. Naveed Ali Shah 

13th Armored Corps Sustainment Command (13th ESC)

By Pfc. Naveed Ali Shah
13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

FORT HOOD - At first glance, it appeared to be a normal bicycle, but it required a double-take for most people to realize what they were looking at.

With a 49 cubic centimeter engine mounted on its frame and the ability to accelerate up to 35 miles per hour, it's nothing short of awesome. It's called a motor-assisted bicycle and it's a whole new way to save fuel during these hard times.

With the skyrocketing cost of fuel today it's no wonder people everywhere are finding ways to cut corners in order to save money, from using public transportation to lessening the amount of mileage driven daily to buying more fuel efficient vehicles such as motorcycles or hybrid cars.

Comedians regularly joke about the effects of the rising cost of energy, but for some, it's no laughing matter. It's an issue that is causing some people serious financial trouble. In light of these extreme circumstances, one Fort Hood Soldier has found his niche.

For Staff Sgt. Philip Osborne, motor sergeant, headquarters and headquarters company, 13th Sustainment Command, switching from four wheels to two wheels wasn't enough. He took energy efficiency to a whole new level.

"A childhood friend of mine had a motor-assisted bicycle growing up and it was always in the back of my mind," said Osborne, a Luling, La., native, "Watching the price of gas going up everyday I decided to look into getting my own."

Osborne researched how to build the bike online. He initially considered many different options factoring in the engine capacity and fuel economy. In the end he purchased a King's Motorbike engine kit for $200 and bought his Kent bicycle for only $69 from the Post Exchange. Osborne spent a grand total of about three hours on building the project over a weekend in June.

Since then his half-gallon fuel tank typically lasts him about a week, averaging 80 to 100 miles per gallon. His Dodge Durango averages between 20 to 25 miles to the gallon and its 27 gallon fuel tank cost him about $90 to fill up every 10 days. Now he spends about two dollars a week in fuel costs.

The bicycle doesn't need a key to start up, either.

"I just jump on, start pedaling, pop the clutch, and it's a smooth ride from there," said Osborne.

Unlike motorcycles or mo-peds, motor-assisted bicycles don't need special licenses, but they do have to adhere to traffic laws.

"As long as the engine is under 50 CCs, it's not considered a mo-ped, so I can just ride it like a bicycle," said Osborne. "I stay in the far right of the travel lanes and use hand signals when turning."

With such an efficient engine and ease of riding, Osborne uses his bicycle daily.

"I've traveled all over; Fort Hood, Killeen, everywhere," said Osborne. "I ride it everyday, unless it's raining."

• Date Taken: 08.18.2008
• Date Posted: 08.18.2008 17:20
• Story ID: 22643
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US