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E-Bikes Are Real Bikes—and They’re Great for Everyone (www.bicycling.com)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/bicycles@lemmy.ca
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[–] 15 points 1 year ago* (2 children)

I have an ebike with both pedal assist and throttle (that I could theoretically change the speed limiter setting above 35km/h). But in day to day riding, I frequently get passed by people riding thinner wheeled road bikes.

I don't want to have to shower every time after pedaling to work. I love being able to get two big bags of Costco groceries, strap them to my bike and not have to dread the ride home which is uphill. It's great and sure I'm not getting tons of exercise each time, it allows me to keep going out with it a lot more than I would a normal bike. This source also corroborates the trend that e-bike riders get more exercise than conventional cyclists due to riding more.

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  • [–] 10 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    I don’t want to have to shower every time after pedaling to work.

    This is a huge advantage that removes one of the major barriers to cycling.

    I love being able to get two big bags of Costco groceries, strap them to my bike and not have to dread the ride home which is uphill.

    Another huge advantage!

    It’s great and sure I’m not getting tons of exercise each time, it allows me to keep going out with it a lot more than I would a normal bike. This source also corroborates the trend that e-bike riders get more exercise than conventional cyclists due to riding more.

    Yes, you're still getting benefits. Anything that gets you out of a car will benefit your health!

    I'm not at the point where an e-bike would provide me with overwhelming benefits (over my regular bikes and e-scooter), but I'm sure I'll get to the point where they'll make sense for my needs.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    This is a huge advantage that removes one of the major barriers to cycling.

    Nah man, where I live you will be sweating buckets after standing in place outside for 3 minutes.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    But there's a difference between being the only one who's sweaty because you took your bike, and everyone is sweaty because it's hot and humid no matter what you take 😂

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    Not on mopeds where all you have to do is pull the throttle. Don't kid yourself.

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  • [–] 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    I mean sure but my comment is not about mopeds, it's about e-bikes. I could in theory use my bike like one, since it has a throttle, but relying only on that would mean I get less than 1/3 of the usual range, so I don't. I do use the throttle to keep my speed consistent (especially around impatient motorists), get over the first hard pedal cycle at a stop, and on hills as I pedal.

    The article is talking about users like you unfortunately, conflating e-bikes and mopeds.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 year ago

    If it has a throttle, it's a moped by definition of EU law. I'm just highlighting, that yes, the paper does mention pedal assist, but elektrek is a website with an agenda (selling more electric bikes and cars) and while they highlight pedal assists vs throttle on their article as well somewhere between the lines, the headline is clearly meant to catch people thinking they are good by riding a throttle "ebike" in North America.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago (1 child)

    If you need a throttle to start from a stop then you are either in the wrong gear, or your bike is too heavy.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago

    It's a 50lbs (23kg) foldable bike. It's only a need to the extent I'm trying not to be sweaty getting to work. Stopping and starting will get me sweaty on a normal pedal assist since it doesn't immediately kick in.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago

    you definitely still get more exercise on a moped, because you're not just sitting reclined in a sofa on wheels. on 2-wheeled vehicles your body is always undergoing some amount of motion even if it's very minimal, it's like how just standing still is way better than sitting down.

    And if a vehicle has pedals you're most likely going to be spinning them even if there's no actual resistance, which is in itself genuinely proper exercise.

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