My story into founding electric cruiser bicycles is this; that a few years back I spent two terms studying 'modern' motorcycle mechanics ironically because I was specifically interested in older vintage motorbikes. I basically did this because it was the closest I could get to owning one... (still is too)     

You see, I really only cared about how motorcycles look, it didn't matter to me if they ran on oil, steam or even bubbles! That being said however, I'm a massive lover of electric bicycles - even though I've only ridden them five times. #HookedFromTheStart Because quite frankly and no offence, they give the almost ‘exactly’ same experience as a motorcycle; albeit less vibration and audible noise.    

All these things brought me to a strangely legitimate conclusion, that there had to be a hybrid between the two; that there would be a sub-genre of electric bicycles with the styling from 'cruiser' motorcycles. (See the Harley Davidson ones), And so began my two years of debating with tutors about this coming electric bicycle/moped subgroup.     

My tutors said I was dreaming and that bicycles could never equal the speeds of motorcycles, at least the modern ones that is. However the ones back in the 1920-50’s, funnily enough, were very content with the speeds of 20-50mph for commuting, which sounds reasonable doesn't it? Skip forward three years later and many electric motor kits have come onto the market and ironically, can maintain these speeds.  

So anyway, I ended up starting and maintaining the first ever comprehensive community and visual design database for this subject on a Facebook page called, 'electric cruiser bicycles’. In doing so, I gathered multiple one-off custom builds and companies that currently or have previous designed electric cruiser bicycles either by accident/sub-consciously or otherwise intentionally.    

By doing this, I and many others/fans of ebikes found there were, in fact, hundreds of designs, some better than others true, but still that other cultures/countries and companies were oblivious to each others existence. It made them aware, that not only did they have competition, but that frame designs thought impossible, in actuality are very possible, but also that future electric motorcycles could indeed be the current ebikes of today! (see Italjet, Oto Cycles, Power bikes.De, Dusenspeed and Vintage ebikes) Either way, this subgenre holds much promise. 
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- Jaimes Lewis Moran, Founder of electric cruiser bicycles
https://www.facebook.com/electriccruiserbicycles/

​This article is about my impression of the completed cycle highway, which was built to connect the central points of our cities (*Leeds to Bradford) for the benefit of walkers and people who cycle.

Observations - The few traffic lights bespoke for bikes tend to activate slowly, by which I mean after pressing they don't work for about 2-3mins, but then only stay active for 10seconds? Plus there's an awful lot more of those cycle path markers and green painted routes too, so it gave me hope for the Leeds-focused side of our cycle highway.

I was very glad to see that this highway route seems to be aimed at standard commuters, or alternatively the newbies; but ironically at the same time could give grief to professional cyclists who prefer to ride at 20-40mph; and for some strange reason there's a preconceived notion that commuting via bike at an average of 8mph is a waste of time, and that this would do nothing to convince drivers to leave their motor vehicles - this is incorrect.

People leave cars because they've had enough of gridlock traffic, not to mention extortionate running and taxation cost, but probably the best reason is knowing that safe spaces for cycling exist and they can use them regardless of their ability (*remember what it's like on crowded buses/trains? Not a very endearing picture or experience is it...)

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Warnings - Unfortunately there was a slight lack of floor marking's near some local supermarkets and junctions, but I was told this is down to previous pending planning developments that predate the cycle highway (houses, new entry points, signal crossings) so take care and remember that car drivers in general are still coming to terms with cycling infrastructure on the whole.

There tends to be an urge to drive fast throughout the Leeds to Bradford route, especially through its many 'slow down' bus sections (when they're empty) but I imagine a reasonable person would have the sense to slow down and use appropriate speeds... (there's no need to rush!) Either way, the peer pressure to copy fast cycling culture does no favors to change public opinion that it's accessible, easy and welcoming. (I often apologise to quite a few people based on how aggressive some cyclists can be)

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My overall thoughts on the route - It's very fun to use if you're intending to take your time traveling (or coasting hills) like I try to do, and thankfully it only has two main hills to be afraid of (on the return journey to Leeds) one being nearest to the city, the other near a vibrant community of schools and shops.

PS. This was the first time I've visited Bradford (nevermind on my bicycle) - in eight years! but hopefully this will become a regular trip, not just for me but for all commuters on bikes.
- Jaimes Lewis Moran

​I met this war veteran turned motorcyclist last week; we had some good conversations on various themes all starting from me owning an old bicycle from the 1930's. I told him about my background of being a mechanics student turned writer and then Ebike enthusiast. Then I went on to tell him about how I founded a design database and community on electric cruiser bicycles, which he thought was really cool too.

I responded by saying 'I don't think my tutors will think the same'... He said they'd think otherwise; they probably be proud of the journey you've had and what you discovered. Surprising I've never once imagined they'd give such praise. (Que cheesy smiles  )

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It’s been said that young people (such as my twenty-two year old self) cannot truly grasp the appeal of early bicycles (or motorcycles too!) mainly because of the fact we didn’t grow up with them, that all we know is modern advances on the originals. To which I replied: just because a person doesn’t grow up around a specific item or movement, doesn’t mean it offers any less appeal; if anything this mystifies them further.

Like the great quote from ‘Cyril Pedrosa’ says “Back then life was simple and sweet. Everything was simple and sweet; the taste of cherries, the cool shade, and the fresh smell of the river. That was how we lived, in a vale among the hills, sheltered from the storms. Ignorant of the world, as though on an island peaceful and untroubled, and then everything changed.”

I believe that’s something a lot of people, especially young ones are coming to terms with; that the past is not irrelevant or to be forgotten, and in doing so makes it possible for things to be better remembered, respected and most of all - cherished.

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Take for instance me and my dad; we always debate about ‘The Electric Cruiser Bicycle movement’ and how the appearance of vintage 1920-50’s motorcycles is being repackaged for a new generation of riders. He tells me that its sacrilege to early motorcycles and it devalues their originality and that we shouldn’t try to relive the past even if it’s in a new format. (*Unsurprisingly, this is the same guy who refuses to accept the future of standard/modern looking electric vehicles too)

The main reason that I love owning an old bike (Such as my 1935 British Hercules Bicycle) is its infallible ability to invoke personal stories and memories; everything from smallest mechanical details that you wouldn’t normally be aware of, to why they hold such unique appeal despite the age differences of their owners. 

Anyway… basically, I’m saying they’re worth getting!
- Jaimes Lewis Moran.
​https://www.facebook.com/Ecruiserbicycleblog/

A few years ago I enrolled at Wakefield College to study motorcycle mechanics, mainly because at the time I was massively obsessed with the TV program ‘American Chopper’ During my term at college I slowly realised that although I love vintage motorcycle styling, I don’t really agree with their propulsion systems (Especially modern ones) instead I was finding myself increasing drawn to Electric Vehicles. During my spare time there I would search through vast pages on Google images across the internet for E-bikes that looked like vintage motorcycles, it was only after six-months of research that I discovered there was in fact a sub-genre of E-bikes called – Electric Cruiser Bicycles

This is basically a sub-genre of E-bikes focused on overtly emulating vintage 1920-50’s lightweight motorcycle styling, yet applies it to – Electric Bicycles. As you can imagine I was thrilled at this discovery, but had no idea where to showcase this information, Some friends recommended I start a website but thought this would be expensive? plus I’d be getting ahead of myself, first you need to build your audience… So instead I opted for a more cost effective approach – a Facebook page!

Wherein I would create individual photo albums dedicated to one-off Custom builds, including the companies currently producing ‘electric cruiser bicycles’ alongside correct links to webpages and social media outlets. Needless to say, it gained some notice; a few companies actually started branding their electric bicycles E-cruizers’ which although wasn’t my decision still made me smile –a lot!
https://www.facebook.com/electriccr... 

Then in December of 2015 I approached a custom bicycle builder E-Zine (digital magazine) about publishing an article on this emerging custom culture, to which they replied ‘only if you write it, and also get the appropriate photo permission’ (Which I successfully did)
http://kustomizedbicyclemagazine.com/... 

Recently however, this Facebook page finally reached a landmark of 1100 ‘organic’ page likes (Basically Not-paid-for) and in the future I hope to publish two books on this custom E-bike culture, one being the first ever A-Z guide to electric cruiser bicycle companies, the other being an in-depth one focused on Custom one-off builds and the individual creators of them.

Also, I wouldn’t mind being a writer for the E-bike industry, But would need to prove my writing credentials first with qualifications, experience and published material. So any advice on article writing (for motor-vehicles) would be very much appreciated, the how-to’s, and techniques.

Regards
Jaimes Lewis Moran

​Otley word feast, Armley press, Valley press, all are well known local publishing organisations, but did you know that Seacroft has one too?

It started out as an informal group gathering, all with a love for literature, music and art and thus the SCLAS group was established in 2009 (*Seacroft community literature & Art Society)  They usually meet at the Seacroft village hall on Tuesdays from 1.30-3pm. And in case you aren't aware, they've spent many years publishing small pamphlet's and books on the local area of Seacroft and its residents (*me included)

Recently they decided to launch a LTD publishing company called 'Seawark' press, and hopefully in the coming months they will enter a new venture in their history; selling their varying books on Amazon.co.uk alongside their first ever E-book editions!

Either way,  it's getting exciting!
- Jaimes Lewis Moran

Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/SeacroftLitandArt/

Since East Leeds FM moved out, I’ve been continuously impressed by their newvision for the building and its current progress over the past year.
They do so many things here at the LS14 Trust that it’s becoming increasingly
hard to keep track of them all, but here is an overview nonetheless;

 1. Tackling social isolation, caring for people’s wellbeing, providing a safe
place to go with a well-stocked community café on pay-what- you-can basis.

2. Putting on events such as annual street parties, the Seacroft food and boot, gardening groups, and men’s-room DIY projects.

3. Legal help, CV/cover letter creation and job search assistance in their digital lounge with free internet access.

4. While upstairs they have a themed arts AND indoor garden activity room, artistically decorated by a talented illustrator Lydia Turner..

5.  Lastly, outside there is a home-grown garden for ingredients to cook, a lovely patio with seating area’s - alongside a traditional clay pizza oven.

My varied volunteering roles have enabled me to do many things I never wouldn’t have done previously they’ve given me confidence in my role as a general volunteer, The Seacroft food & boot set-up crew, event photographer and Blog writer for things such as the Elephant bike and the like.
Honestly, the LS14 Trust is one of the best places I can recommend that you visit
in the Seacroft area; the staff is very supportive and always willing to lend a listening ear regardless of the subject.  (I speak from experience)

Who am I? Apart from being a writer.community focused activist and avid believer in electric cruiser bicycles (at my core) I'm a lot of things; enthusiastic, beyond eccentric (*sometimes) a singer/songwriter who plays guitar for fun, also into basic maintenance of bicycles, cycling/skateboarding, playing Nintendo video games, reading way too much poetry (*300 books so far...) clothing styles. 


You'd be surprised at my many colorful exploits - just ask!

Previously I've published three editions of my first poetry book/collection.
Won the 2014 Seacroft short story competition, and upcoming writer award.
Contributed my writings for two radio drama's with Chapel-FM.


Or like my favorite quote goes 
''Creativity needs more than one outlet''

(*I think this is one of mine... after spending half my time Writing poetry and studying motorcycle mechanics...)