WXYZ ran a tech piece on a powered bicycle wheel:

Detroit of course, is the car capitol of the world, but what if everyone started riding bicycles? That’s the vision of a group of MIT engineers.

The Copenhagen Wheel turns an ordinary bike into a smart electric hybrid. It’s a tiny motor designed to make cycling easier.

So powered wheels are what’s holding Detroit back from re-embracing the bicycle? Oh please.

A third of Copenhageners use bicycles as their primary transportation choice. It’s a flat city not unlike most of Metro Detroit. They don’t need powered wheels to make cycling easier.

What they do have is road infrastructure that encourages safe cycling — something nearly all of Metro Detroit lacks. We’ve built a metropolitan area that discourages healthy transportation choices.

WXZY should know that. They’re located on West 10 Mile in Southfield, which is a terrible road to bike on.

Powered bike wheels aren’t going to encourage anyone to ride roads designed only for powered car wheels.

We need Complete Streets and bike lanes — and that’s the real story.

Yesterday the Detroit News reported on a new store in Plymouth Michigan that’s selling electric bicycles and electric motor kits. The shop is called eCo Wheelz and they have a pretty thorough web site for a startup.

While some bicycle purists may scoff at those getting an electrical assist, these bikes could increase our numbers and increase demand for safe bicycling facilities such as bike lanes.

Many lack the physical condition to jump right into bicycle commuting. This might ease those folks into a healthier lifestyle.

Are electric bicycles considered bicycles? They are according to federal law so long as they can be pedaled and don’t have too much power.

That means they are allowed in bike lanes and on trails.