Electric Bikes

I was wondering what the general opnion was regarding electric bikes here I know that they are illegal in New York State according to DMV and was wondering if anyone had any opinions on them or expierience

From what I here you can go forty miles on a charge that takes about four hours they do have pedals as well incase the battery runs down

for a guy like me who only has to go a mile to work it would work out really well cause when I come home its all up hill

I just figured i,d put it out there