Matt Mancuso

While walking around campus, you may have seen President William Destler scooting by on his electric bike.

Last spring, Destler, a degreed electrical engineer, took it upon himself to build his own electric bike. “I drive a hybrid car anyway,” noted Destler, adding that while he didn’t specifically intend for his electric bike to send a message to the student body, “You don’t have to believe in global warming to realize that the earth isn’t hollow and filled with oil.”

This new creation is Destler’s own individual effort to cut back. “It’s a solution that’s not a huge sacrifice and that’s the key.” Riding the bike is pleasurable and a perfect alternative to a car on a nice day. He reminisced about his wife’s reaction when she first rode the bike after he built it: “Build me one or I’ll ride yours!” He was shortly back to work on another bike. Destler bought the original bike for a meager $47 and recalls, “I can’t believe you can buy a bike of any quality for that price!”

The bike allows for as much exercise as someone would want to get from it. “I can pedal as much as I want, but give it power when I need it.” Maybe if more people had electric bikes, they would be more willing to exercise, knowing that they didn’t need to dread that last hill. With electric bikes, people don’t have to worry about going too far and being too tired to drive back. His bike goes about 40 miles per charge and can go as fast as 30 mph.

When Destler configured his original bike, it cost roughly $1,300 altogether, but he predicted that if he were to build it now, using the same materials, that it would cost around $900. Premade electric bikes are on the market for prices ranging from $1,000 to $1,500.

During Imagine RIT this May, Destler will be hosting the Green Vehicle Challenge, which will pit student-designed vehicles against his electric bike. The prize, an antique 1890s five-string banjo valued at $1,000, will be awarded to the owners of the vehicle with the lowest energy consumption. Destler said that he doesn’t plan to win the challenge, but fears the possibility of losing one of his prized banjos.

Imagine RIT will take place on Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For Green Vehicle Challenge requirements and registration information, visit http://rit.edu/imagine.