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We have multiple issues: * Delivery guys need to charge batteries a lot * Not all batteries are safe and we have too many deadly fires * Delivery guys go too

by the-rc 2y ago

We have multiple issues: * Delivery guys need to charge batteries a lot * Not all batteries are safe and we have too many deadly fires * Delivery guys go too fast * Citibike batteries need to swapped in, rather than charged at the station if the utility (ConEd) allowed that * Citibike has imbalance issues at rush hour, with empty/full stations, which they try to fix with vans and so called Angels, who are told to bike from A to B in exchange for points My solution: plug Citibike stations into the grid, add more stations and bikes, require/encourage delivery guys to use Citibikes (which have a safer speed cap) at a substantial discount and also let them double as Angels.

squarefoot 2y ago
The high torque needed when starting from zero is a lot more dangerous than the need for high speed. The former creates current bursts that can overheat the regulator circuitry, while high speeds need less current and also provide better airflow to cool down electronics (and batteries). The main problem to me however is the need for very fast charging which quite often overheats batteries without any airflow; I'm not sure battery packs can detect if any of the cells is overheating, as placing a few thermal sensors here and there cannot monitor all of them. They simply have to stop this fast charge thing that aside being dangerous also lowers batteries life significantly.
- the-rc 2y ago
  To me the problem with high speed is primarily safety for pedestrians and other bikes. Given also that the state has just given the city the green light to reduce the speed limit on most streets to 20MPH, the delivery guys will stand out even further. If you run out of juice, you just get another bike (and attach whatever you use to carry the deliveries). Battery safety and longevity should be better when charging and monitoring across an entire fleet, using e.g. slower speeds as you mention. This, of course, would require getting more stations and bikes into the network, which would be a win also for regular users in outer areas who are sorely underserved right now.

by the-rc 2y ago

squarefoot 2y ago

The high torque needed when starting from zero is a lot more dangerous than the need for high speed. The former creates current bursts that can overheat the regulator circuitry, while high speeds need less current and also provide better airflow to cool down electronics (and batteries). The main problem to me however is the need for very fast charging which quite often overheats batteries without any airflow; I'm not sure battery packs can detect if any of the cells is overheating, as placing a few thermal sensors here and there cannot monitor all of them. They simply have to stop this fast charge thing that aside being dangerous also lowers batteries life significantly.

the-rc 2y ago
To me the problem with high speed is primarily safety for pedestrians and other bikes. Given also that the state has just given the city the green light to reduce the speed limit on most streets to 20MPH, the delivery guys will stand out even further. If you run out of juice, you just get another bike (and attach whatever you use to carry the deliveries). Battery safety and longevity should be better when charging and monitoring across an entire fleet, using e.g. slower speeds as you mention. This, of course, would require getting more stations and bikes into the network, which would be a win also for regular users in outer areas who are sorely underserved right now.