Teams & Riders Will e-bikes be the end of cycling?

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noob

noob

Aug 9, 2021
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Whether ebikes or not the problem in bike lanes is speed. I have oftentimes wished there were systems like those in public swimming pools which has lanes for swimmers who are fast vs those who are not. The most vocal people wants fast speeds no matter what they use. But old people who are not very mobile might want to ride their bikes too. So commuting lanes should be different from sightseeing lanes where speeds sometimes isn't much faster than walking or running.
 
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A

awavey

Oct 3, 2021
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For me I think ebikes have two sides, in the UK the ones that are speed limited are a great way to get more people cycling, they are just bikes really with a bit of motor assistance, and I've no problem with them at all, even when they breeze past me.

It is quite funny though I can always catch them again down hill I guess it's confidence or gravity one of the two 🤣

The other side though are the ebikes that really are e-motorbikes, but always get labelled ebikes. They're unrestricted on speed, technically illegal to ride on roads in the UK and their riders whilst also lacking basic road sense don't seem to appreciate the speed disparity they have which inevitably means when they crash they'll be seriously hurt.

And those I don't like, especially the ones ive encoutered travelling near motor vehicle speeds on cycle paths or, on roads, and those worry me more because those are the ones the politicians with axes to grind with cycling, label as out of control cyclists and are more likely to bring in legislation that impacts all cyclists simply because the authorities will argue its hard for them to check rules about motor power and so on and why can't they just blanket frame a rule instead.
 
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Cookster15

Cookster15

Moderator
May 14, 2011
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RedheadDane said:
it is kinda jarring the first couple of times you struggle to get up a hill, and then some old lady on an e-bike just rides past you...
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Been happening to me for a few years on a local climb :(. And yes it is annoying although I don't fear for the future of cycling.

Most commercially sold e-bikes are limited to a 250 watt motor. An old lady might be able to sustain 50 watts. 300 watts can get most who aren't super heavy up a 6% grade pretty quick. :)
 
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Zoetemelk-fan

Zoetemelk-fan

Oct 5, 2009
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I think it will be split in two directions in the future, e-bikers and a culture in more dedicated training.

Mid town in my city now almost everybody have converted to e-bikes, but in my sattelite town it's filled with oldfashioned race bike training, both solo and groups, as well as continuous expansions of quality MTB tracks, well-visited by all ages.

Both of the latter are healthy growing here, so frankly I have hard times taking the dark glasses on here.

Only thing is the family group rides on classic everyday bikes of which seems to have left the surface. Ofc it stiches in my heart, for instance in late 70ies and early 80ies you had bigger cycling events for the entire family with the participation of the very youngest family members, of which now have been fully replaced by dedicated competitive recreational events, and I really miss that common culture....
 
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KoopaCycling

KoopaCycling

Jul 31, 2024
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Fatbikes just got deleted in Enschede.

Wether that will legally hold up is another matter. But the dutch are actively trying to find ways to rid their inner cities from FatBikes. Calling them scooters disguised as bikes. They aint wrong. They just need to find the legal loophole to do so. You do not want cars in your inner city. You dont want motorbikes in your inner cities. So as to make the inner city a livable place. And as it turns out they are starting to feel the same way about FatBikes. You may think they are wrong for this. Taking things to far. But people do not enjoy their presence in the inner cities. That you can not deny. They want to maintain a relaxed safe pedestrian environment in their inner cities. And FatBikes are a concern for that.
 
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ChewbaccaDefense

Nov 5, 2013
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Miss Violet Smith said:
I'm thinking of getting one for commuting to work; I'd emoto in the morning and ride back unassisted in the evening. Maybe.
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I have a Giant E+ Road for my commute. It takes about 15 minutes in a car, and only 26 minutes on my E. I save a lot of gas, and generally don't need a shower, unless it's REAL hot. As a friend of mine said, don't think of it as an expensive bike, think of it as a cheap car.

I also have an E-MTB. I use it to ride with the HS MTB team, at times, because those kids ride hard and go long...and mountain biking is not my favorite activity. I also use it with my wife, because the absolute fact is that on her long sunday rides (gravel or MTB), I couldn't keep up otherwise. Girl can hammer. It's also great for recovery day.

I average 3 commutes per week, 3-4 non-ebike rides, and 1-2 eMTB rides per week. The E-commuter keeps me on the bike pretty much every day, as even on a non-riding day, I still get a commute in.
 
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U

Unchained

Sep 5, 2016
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Was in Mission Beach..a part of San Diego.. Saw 4,5 young males..teens or pre teens.. Absolutely lightning it up on a version of ebike..right below e motorcycle!! It's their summer vacation.. Flying around.. Doing wheelies, challenging each other.. Just having a blast.. If ebikes are another way for people, but especially video game generation to enjoy the outdoors.. I am all in..
Yes I know the danger element
 
KoopaCycling

KoopaCycling

Jul 31, 2024
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Mostly americans seem to view ebikes as part of the pastime/hobby in places designed or designated as pastime.
I think that lens is due to americans travelling mostly by car. europeans also use their car a lot but the goverments actively try to create infrastructure designed for pedestrian and bike usage. They enourage other ways to travel outside of the car for daily use, commute, ... . not just for hobby. And it's an important distinction.

Most americans talk from a hobby point of view. Meanwhile my problem with ebikes is day to day usage. I'm not against ebikes. I just want them to get their own categorisation. Now they are treated as bycicles. Whereas i view them as motorized vehicles.

Not all forms of motorcycles are allowed on bike lanes. I also believe that not all ebikes should be allowed on all bike lanes. Certain ebikes are fine. the ones that can go max of 25 km. But those that can go faster should drive on the road. with the rest of the motorised traffic. That is my opinion.
 
froze

froze

Feb 23, 2017
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VayaVayaVaya said:
Nah people who like to ride will keep riding. Some people who like to ride but don't like to ride hard and don’t like to drive (or can’t drive) will stop driving to ride e-bikes. And people who can't keep up (like my wife) will ride more because they keep up with a motor. It's a net positive IMO, though I could be wrong. I personally wouldn't be caught dead owning one unless I was bike commuting every day for 10+ miles and just viewing it as transportation.
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You would buy an E bike if you were commuting 10+ miles a day? 10 miles is nothing, you don't need an E bike to do that. I had a 15 mile commute one way when I was in my 60s and did it on a regular bike. There was some guy on another forum that had a 35 mile commute one way, and he did that on a regular bike, Can't recall how old he was, I t
VayaVayaVaya said:
Nah people who like to ride will keep riding. Some people who like to ride but don't like to ride hard and don’t like to drive (or can’t drive) will stop driving to ride e-bikes. And people who can't keep up (like my wife) will ride more because they keep up with a motor. It's a net positive IMO, though I could be wrong. I personally wouldn't be caught dead owning one unless I was bike commuting every day for 10+ miles and just viewing it as transportation.
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V

VayaVayaVaya

Jun 1, 2015
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froze said:
You would buy an E bike if you were commuting 10+ miles a day? 10 miles is nothing, you don't need an E bike to do that. I had a 15 mile commute one way when I was in my 60s and did it on a regular bike. There was some guy on another forum that had a 35 mile commute one way, and he did that on a regular bike, Can't recall how old he was, I t
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I wouldn’t need an e-bike if I was commuting 10+ miles (20 per day), but I might choose one. My route to work is very hilly and the weather can be harsh. Cruising on an e-bike for a commute could make sense for me. A preference not a “need.”
 
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Sciatic

Mar 4, 2011
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froze said:
You would buy an E bike if you were commuting 10+ miles a day? 10 miles is nothing, you don't need an E bike to do that. I had a 15 mile commute one way when I was in my 60s and did it on a regular bike. There was some guy on another forum that had a 35 mile commute one way, and he did that on a regular bike, Can't recall how old he was, I t
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I’m looking forward to finally getting one—even after 18 months of weekly EPO injections my hematocrit still is only around 30. Even in the 28x32 on my commuter bike I still have to stop 2-3 times while going slowly as possible up the 1/2 mile, 4% grade to my home. Saying “10 miles is nothing” isn’t true for everyone.
 
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