Cycles

Claim 1

An electrically assisted pedal cycle including means whereby the rider of the cycle can propel the cycle, an electric motor and an associated electric storage battery carried by the frame of the cycle for assisting the rider in propelling the cycle, and a generator operable by rotation of a ground engaging wheel of the cycle, said generator being defined by a plurality of magnets disposed around the rim of said ground engaging wheel of the cycle, and a stator assembly carried by the frame of the cycle and positioned adjacent said wheel rim, said stator assembly including a winding connectible to said battery by means of a manually operable, normally open switch, and a rectifier, the arrangement being such that closure of said switch while said wheel rotates relative to said stator assembly completes an electrical circuit between the stator winding and the battery, whereby electricity generated by passage of said magnets adjacent the stator assembly is supplied to said battery by way of said rectifier to charge said battery, and said wheel is braked by the associated regenerative braking effect the cycle further including a friction brake and a manually operable control mechanism for operating said friction brake, the contacts of said normally open switch being closed by initial movement of the brake control mechanism prior to the application of significant braking force by way of the friction brake which is controlled by said mechanism whereby said brake control mechanism can effect electromagnetic regenerative braking of the cycle without significant braking force from the friction brake.