At least part of my e-bike hatred came from self-righteousness. A belief that because I was pedaling myself up a hill under my own power, I was more deserving of… well, I’m not quite sure, actually. Recognition? A cookie? It didn’t matter. I was working hard at something, and other people were taking a shortcut. Which is bad, right? You don’t go to the gym because it’s fun. You don’t eat kale because it’s fun. Doing that stuff sucks; the point is to suffer and feel better about yourself afterward.
The other nice thing about other people using e-bikes is that it normalizes cycling as a common mode of transportation. So you can benefit from the associated infrastructure even if you personally don’t want or need one. Heck you could even hate the idea of them but still appreciate some benefits from it!
Very much a case where a rising tide lifts all boats.
That said, I think there’s rightfully a big difference between “e-bike = electric motorcycle” and “e-bike = bike with an electric motor and slightly more durable tires”.
I’ve had one for a year, and couldn’t be happier with it.
It’s class 1 so I still need to pedal and get at least some exercise. If anything I am biking much more than I did with an acoustic bike. The reasons:
longer trips are more feasible, so options are more open.
faster trips mean it’s less of a commitment, because the ride is likely to be about 10 minutes shorter
wind direction and speed is less of a concern
hills are less of a concern
running a bit late? Not a problem.
I don’t arrive at my destination exhausted and covered with sweat unless I want to.
Basically because it’s drastically lowered the barrier to entry for simply “hopping in the bike and going”, I’m biking much much more than I did before, easily 2-3 times as much. About the only thing that ever stops me is rain, or the need to carry significant amounts of cargo.
I appreciate your perspective! I’ll take that into consideration if I ever need to increase my distance. Currently, it’s only 5mi at a time and mostly flat/paved, so barely anything.
For me, it replaced car trips, I get much more incidental exercise with the e-bike because I actually prefer to take it instead of the car for most of my in-town trips, and, well, I hate riding a bike and was shocked by how much I love riding the electric bike. So before I would walk if something was close and I didn’t have to carry much, but take the car if going more than a mile or so, or carrying groceries. Absolutely would not bike, so uncomfortable. Now I use the e-bike for those errands I previously used the car for.
This is how I felt. Losing out on some exercise took out one of the multiple reasons I liked bike commuting. But I have gotten older and electric bikes are becoming more and more tempting. My brother a few years ago had found a good deal and on hindsite wish I had jumped on it.
IDK about you, but my ebike weighs 60lbs. Turn the motor off, and I get way more of a workout than my 38lb full sus mountain bike.
Though I use an ebike as a car replacement, I find biking everywhere has gotten me into significantly better shape, even though it is electric. It can also tow a lot more gear up hills than my standard bike!
It was more getting exercise while getting to where you were going in a way that is pleasant. That was the trifecta. I would rather lengthen the commute than make the bike less efficient which I did when I had a 3 mile commute. I took a two mile two way detour to a more pleasant route turning it into a decent seven miles which is just about perfect exercise wise especially versus time. Time is a big issue which is why as I get older the electric becomes more tempting because I can’t get as far as fast now.
Why would anyone be a hater?
Quoting the article:
Well, at least they’re honest that it was a terrible reason.
Little bit of introspection goes a long way.
I just don’t personally want one, because I need the exercise. I have no problem with other people using them safely, and fewer cars is a good thing.
The other nice thing about other people using e-bikes is that it normalizes cycling as a common mode of transportation. So you can benefit from the associated infrastructure even if you personally don’t want or need one. Heck you could even hate the idea of them but still appreciate some benefits from it!
Very much a case where a rising tide lifts all boats.
That said, I think there’s rightfully a big difference between “e-bike = electric motorcycle” and “e-bike = bike with an electric motor and slightly more durable tires”.
I’ve had one for a year, and couldn’t be happier with it.
It’s class 1 so I still need to pedal and get at least some exercise. If anything I am biking much more than I did with an acoustic bike. The reasons:
Basically because it’s drastically lowered the barrier to entry for simply “hopping in the bike and going”, I’m biking much much more than I did before, easily 2-3 times as much. About the only thing that ever stops me is rain, or the need to carry significant amounts of cargo.
I appreciate your perspective! I’ll take that into consideration if I ever need to increase my distance. Currently, it’s only 5mi at a time and mostly flat/paved, so barely anything.
For me, it replaced car trips, I get much more incidental exercise with the e-bike because I actually prefer to take it instead of the car for most of my in-town trips, and, well, I hate riding a bike and was shocked by how much I love riding the electric bike. So before I would walk if something was close and I didn’t have to carry much, but take the car if going more than a mile or so, or carrying groceries. Absolutely would not bike, so uncomfortable. Now I use the e-bike for those errands I previously used the car for.
This is how I felt. Losing out on some exercise took out one of the multiple reasons I liked bike commuting. But I have gotten older and electric bikes are becoming more and more tempting. My brother a few years ago had found a good deal and on hindsite wish I had jumped on it.
IDK about you, but my ebike weighs 60lbs. Turn the motor off, and I get way more of a workout than my 38lb full sus mountain bike.
Though I use an ebike as a car replacement, I find biking everywhere has gotten me into significantly better shape, even though it is electric. It can also tow a lot more gear up hills than my standard bike!
It was more getting exercise while getting to where you were going in a way that is pleasant. That was the trifecta. I would rather lengthen the commute than make the bike less efficient which I did when I had a 3 mile commute. I took a two mile two way detour to a more pleasant route turning it into a decent seven miles which is just about perfect exercise wise especially versus time. Time is a big issue which is why as I get older the electric becomes more tempting because I can’t get as far as fast now.
Carbrain? Encounters with bad riders?