E-BIKES FOR SURVIVAL

Does the Scrambler S Make Sense for a SHTF Situation?

Mike Glover

While I was writing this article, strong Santa Ana winds had caused catastrophic fires in several regions of California. In the name of public safety, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) — California’s largest utility company — intentionally shut down power to hundreds of thousands of people. The idea was simple: If there’s no power running through utility lines, the risk of fire goes down. Unfortunately, the most recent fire started when a tree fell on a power line in an area where power hadn’t been turned off yet.

These events are yet another reminder that our world is changing rapidly. The evolution and progression of technology has anchored our dependence on the power grid, and this is making us more vulnerable. I want you to ask yourself this question: What would I do if a catastrophe disabled and destroyed the infrastructure that my family is dependent on? No more cell phones, no electricity, no water, no gas, and everybody fighting for the same resources. What’s your bug-out plan?

As survivalists, we teach self-reliance by utilizing the proper equipment, leveraging our technical skills, and applying the proper mindset. It’s also critical to understand that in a natural or man-made disaster, you’ll inevitably become your own first responder. As an example, like I highlighted in the very beginning of this article, the wildfires in California present a real and present danger to citizens. On November 18, 2018, in Butte County in Northern California, the “Camp Fire” burned 153,000 acres and killed 85 people, including five firefighters. The fire destroyed nearly the entire community of Paradise and cost close to $16.5 billion in damage. (For a firsthand account from a survivor we interviewed, read our web-exclusive article at offgridweb.com/?p=16129.) So, in considering the question of what you’d do right now, we have to look at our capability based on available options — here’s where an electric bike comes in.