IAMA Jetson Electric e-bike product manager, here to answer any questions you have about my job or Jetson.

Your app on Android stinks - any plans to update?

If you're referring to the Ride Jetson app, we know it could be better. We launched the Go Jetson app a while ago and have big plans for making that the go-to for getting more out of our products, both on iOS and Android. It's not there yet, but we plan on making improvements in the coming months. Stay tuned...

My jetson likes to unintentionally accelerate like a car but less deadly. Is there a fix? Basically i let off the throttle and it doesnt realize it and accelerates.

Edit: i should add we have 2 identical ones and this only happens on mine.

This sounds like something we should look further into. If it is a faulty throttle, we can help with replacement options. For this, please reach out to our customer care team. They're available on social media at RideJetson!

I live in So. CA where ebikes are sprouting faster than mushrooms after a spring rain (which we haven't had in years, but that's for another post.) I see them all the time going 25 MPH or faster, with no helmets, sometimes riding hands-free. Serious question: is there a wave of ebike-related accidents and injuries in the last year or two?

Safety is our top priority, so our e-bikes don't go more than 20MPH. We also want to make sure our users ride with helmets, and we have safety protocols in our manuals. With that said, more e-bikes out in the world mean more incidents.

Is your boss named Mr. spacely?

No, Mr. Spacely is on our Digital Index team.

Why would I buy an E-bike (Journey/Adventure) for $1500 when I can get a polluting 50cc scooter for $750 or so? I get better range (100-150 mi vs 20-30 mi) can refill at and petrol station and go slightly faster.

I think you slightly answered your own question here! E-bikes are better for the environment with zero emissions, you can charge them anywhere you bring them that has a standard wall outlet, and in most states they are bike path friendly as long as their motor does not exceed 750W.
E-Bikes are also typically smaller, easier to store, and easier to maintain. Take it from me, I had a Tomos 2 Stroke for 3 years prior to working at Jetson.

How much do you make as a product manager? I’m a Mech Eng and want to make the switch to product management as I want more breadth of scope. What is your relevant experience/education needed to be a product manager?

This totally depends on the industry, company, and even product you are working on within that company. I think the most important skills are the ability to prioritize feedback, self-start on research and exploration, and communicate cross-functionally within your team and organization.

How does the battery capacity handle the cold ?

Lithium-ion batteries discharge faster in colder temperatures, but I have not typically seen a huge effect unless it is below freezing outside. We encourage users to store and charge indoors to protect your battery health.

Many people in Canada do not have access to a heated place to store their bikes. Does going below freezing permanently change the capacity of the battery ?

Totally understand your concern here. To be fully transparent, yes, keeping a lithium ion battery in the cold can poorly impact performance. But our e-bikes are small enough to store in most cozy places (I can fit it in my NY apartment if that gives you an idea). :)

Why are they so small?

Great question! We wanted to create and sell a product that's easily portable and requires little storage. Living in NY, a lot of apartments don't have a lot of storage, and our smaller bikes fold to be able to store pretty much anywhere.

I'm new to the idea of e-bikes. Like I've known about them for a while but haven't looked into getting one quite yet.

I recently moved to a town where it looks like any small American town, super rural with a lot of farmland, but every road has either a bike lane or a dedicated, grade separated bike path. So now I'm thinking of getting an e-bike or two.

The big question I have, I see from other posts that the range is like 20 miles, which is small, say compared to an electric car. So I'm assuming these things are meant to stay within that 20 mile circle or can these bikes be recharged at an EV recharge station? (And if not, why the heck not???) Are you meant to carry spare batteries? Am I overthinking this?

You are certainly not overthinking this, knowing your typical riding range in both time and mileage before purchasing is important to make sure you select the right model for you.
Our E-bikes can be charged anywhere with a wall outlet. Some riders like to purchase a spare battery to carry them with them if they have a long trip and don't want to stop to charge. That is one of the reasons we designed our Haze Folding E-Bike to have an easy to remove battery.

I'm trying to move from digital project management into product management. Are there any steps you would recommend I take?

I would recommend writing out what you feel you are most proficient with when working on digital products and thinking about how it translates to the creation of your favorite physical or hardware products. It is a simple way to easily figure out 3-5 things you should learn about before applying or interviewing for a different role.

Where is the robot maid, Rosey?

Currently for in-office use only.

Do you know where a "normal" person can get driven pulleys for PJ Multi-V applications with 6 to 8 ribs for under, say, $40 US?

We don't sell these, but here's what I found that could help.

u/RideJetson what is the product experience like working in the e-bike / personal transportation industry vs others (if you have held product roles in other sectors). What to you love / find inspirational about being a PM working at Jetson, or with e-bikes in general?

Working in micromobility is really rewarding. The product itself and learning about it is always naturally fun, it is continuing to grow with potential in a lot of directions. I love working at Jetson because it is fast paced and everyone has a voice in the room no matter what title or position you have. The culture pushes you to innovate and think creatively. I love working on e-bikes specifically because they are used for leisure, commuting, running errands, pretty much any part of daily life. I feel like those who use my products enjoy them and even if they believe the experience could be improved they know communicating their thoughts can help shape something they will love in the future.

Do you sell them in Canada yet?

We do have some products available at Costco, which you can purchase in Canada! Here's a list of our products available in Costco stores/online.

How to get 10 percent news letter discount when to buy from Costco Canada??

This wouldn't apply to Costco's website, but they often have their own discounts they run pretty frequently!

When can we expect to see flying cars, or will they be personal spacecraft instead?

That's a good question, I wonder the same myself. But I prefer to stay on the ground. :)

are you guys getting into street-legal bikes, meaning bikes that can commute with cars on the road? Are there extra requirements, legally or safety requirements, for those?

Requirements for E-Bikes differ from state to state and even city to city. If you mean E-Bikes with top speeds similar to cars (35-50 MPH) We are always working on new products and are not opposed to higher speed models.
People for Bikes is a great reference on state by state legalities and vouching for clear and concise policies around E-Bikes.

Do you guys race them at work??

We definitely have when testing acceleration and comparing components - safely with helmets of course. :D

What are the general prices of e-bikes? Ex: how much do low end e-bikes cost and how much do high end e bikes cost?

This is why I think there is still a lot of room to mature. Right now you can find an e-bike starting at around $350 all the way up to high-end models exceeding $12K.
Pricing is kind of all over the place these days with a lot of new brands entering the space. Sometimes it is difficult to know if what you are buying is fair for the price.
The Jetson product team is focused on e-bikes that give the best value with the ability to get you anywhere you need to go.

I almost bought one of your bikes that Costco was carrying but life happened and the money went somewhere else… do you plan to continue working with them? I expect to impulse buy one of your bikes soon (or whoever they’re carrying at the time anyway)

Oh, absolutely! The Haze just launched at Costco, so we'll be around for a while. We're big supporters of impulse buying. :)

How lucrative is the e bike business? Is it worth getting into? What type of market generally buys e-bikes?

The E-Bike market is massive and still growing rapidly in the US! I still feel like it is early and there will be a lot of new technologies emerging as the market matures.
Everybody is buying an e-bike these days, and we develop with that in mind and are working to continue to lead with affordable price-points in all sizes ranging from our LX10 with 10" tires up to our Journey and Adventure with 27.5" tires.

What new product do you have coming down the pipeline that we should be expecting? Also do you guys any upcoming sales for the holiday? Thanks!

We have many new products launching this holiday season and into the spring across all of our product categories. You can learn more and keep up to date through RideJetson.com and by signing up for our email alerts.
I (as the unbiased E-Bike product manager) suggest you check out the brand new Haze Folding E-Bike, which just launched, at Costco or through our website.

I see there is a wheel lock on the back wheel. How good is that for theft prevention?

Yes, the Haze has a rear wheel lock that makes the rear hub motor inoperable when it is in use. It is still smart to always secure your e-bike to something if you are leaving it unattended in public, but the rear wheel lock ensures nobody can ride away without your key.

How does the Haze compare to the Bolt Pro? Is it faster, longer battery life? Been a fan of the bolt pro for a while.

Happy to hear you've been a fan of the Bolt Pro!
The Haze has a 16 inch wheel, a 2 way folding frame, a removable 48V 7.5Ah battery, and 3 speed modes. The top speed is the same as Bolt Pro but the range is longer at 20 miles on pedal assist and has greater acceleration compared to the Bolt Pro.
The Bolt Pro is a bit smaller with a 14 inch wheel and a folding stem, the battery is 36V 6Ah so the range tops out around 15 miles.