I fell in love with electric bicycles last weekend. My hunting partner and my mission were to conduct a muzzle deer hunt on a property dominated by uncompromising sugar sand, requiring a vehicle to carry a bag and gear to enter the woods where vehicles are prohibited from entering three miles.

However, none of us have electric bicycles. Fortunately, my friend was able to find a rental through a member on the Ebike Hunters Facebook page in Florida, and we are moving.

For those who are not familiar with this emerging technology, electric bicycles or electric bicycles are those bicycles that are equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor that is less than 750 watts. Rechargeable batteries provide power and you can rejuice in the comfort of your home.

Currently, Florida defines three types of electric bicycles, which retain the same rights as traditional bicycles.

• Level 1 electric bicycles are equipped with a motor that only provides assistance when the rider steps on the pedals and stops providing assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 MPH.

• Level 2 electric bicycles are equipped with a pedal assist device and a throttle, which can be used to independently propel the bike, with a parking assist device at 20 MPH.

• Level 3 electric bicycles are equipped with the pedal assistance of level 1 bicycles, but the assistance stops at 28 MPH.

For our hunting, we purchased a class 2 RadRover fat tire bicycle, which is an entry model in the world of electric bicycles. As the name suggests, oversized tires are designed to stabilize the bike for off-road activities. These bad boys can run fast, even if it is an add-on cart equipped with a climber stand and ground shutters, my weight doesn’t need to be said when it’s my turn to ride.

Now of course, if I didn’t have a lazy life with short cut devices such as electric bicycles, my weight might not be that big. As with the form, I mainly rely on the accelerator, and when the deeper sand makes the bike in trouble, I use the pedal to assist. All in all, we recorded approximately 16 miles before the battery gave up the ghost near the truck. With lighter loads, more comfortable terrain, and less reliance on throttle, it is likely to go further.

Across the country, electric bicycles are winning the trust of hunters, especially in western states where vehicle traffic on public land is restricted. Until last year, Florida did not allow any electric bicycles to be used on public land. Today, only the Class 1 version can be used on WMA. Class 2, Class 3 and unclassified electric bicycles can only run on roads or trails open to other motor vehicles. With the increasing popularity of electric bicycles, this policy may be reviewed in the future.

After a few hours of riding, you will quickly understand the advantages of electric bicycles. Models worth hunting range from under US$2,000 to over US$10,000, and various accessories are provided to customize these bikes. They are not as expensive or intrusive as ATVs, and are fully capable of dragging hunters and equipment into Big Buck territory.