Alternatively buy them a regular bike. You'll save money and they can get some exercise which they probably need anyway.
this post was submitted on 22 Sep 2023
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[Dormant] Electric Vehicles
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You’re not wrong, but in my anecdotal experience, I’m biking a lot more with my e-bike than I was with my regular bike. I’ve got some awful and long hills that I just wouldn’t bother with otherwise.
Also, I think it’s a misconception that e-bikes function as electric motorcycles.
E-bikes set a minimum speed. If you’re pedaling and fall below that threshold, the motor will kick in and offer support. But that’s the thing, you have to be pedaling. If you don’t then you’re going to lose velocity and stop.
To be fair, you can use the electric throttle to run without pedaling, but that kills the battery quick without pedaling easing the load.
How common is the pedal requirement actually? Does it apply to cheap bikes? Is there a different class/style of bike? I see people often enough accelerate quickly without pedaling and still sitting, akin to how good electric scooters accelerate. That makes me think there's a hand control
It just depends on the bike. A class 1 is pedal assist only, while a class 2 has a throttle.
To be considered a bike, I believe it’s required to have pedals that operate
Class 1 is pedal assist only with a max assist speed of 20 mph, then the motor cuts out. Class 2 has a throttle with the same max speed. Class 3 is pedal assist only with a max speed of 28 mph.
E-bikes are good imo. At the end of the day, if you really are concerned about children only using throttle, then you can take the battery out and it’ll just be a heavy bike
Better yet, a cheaper bike can be bought, teach the child to ride the bike (if they don’t know how), and then get a conversion kit
Sounds like all the commuters in my suburb either have class 2 or some unregulated/modified bikes. The style I see most is along the lines of the "Smarttravel st201f". It claims 32mph and the sales pic on Amazon features a rider standing on the ground and kicking up sand. No mention of class. So while people may be misunderstanding what "ebike" means, the majority of what I actually notice tends to function like slow electric motorcycles. It seems like the drone vs quadcopter thing (not synonyms) or 4x4 vs AWD (synonyms). Public perception and public use overrides correct terminology.
The article is weird…
Fat tires are off-road tiers. If the bike isn’t primarily being used there then that shouldn’t be a consideration. Thinner tires are more efficient on flat surfaces.
The battery and motor specs are important—if you’re dealing with long distances and steep hills. I don’t know why the author is just skimming over that.
God roving gangs of teens on e-bikes sounds like an alternate version of A Clockwork Orange.