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e-bikes

We need a thread for general discussion of e-bikes, since they're growing in popularity. A good article about e-bikes in New York City: https://theoutline.com/post/2447/everyone-hates-e-bikes
paulheckbert
2017-11-07 21:20:41
UPS just launched ebike delivery in pittsburgh today. But the banning of them in NYC is a problem. It seems to be targeting a specific group of people, food delivery riders, who are overwhelmingly people of color. this ban is not coming from data, rather fear. with that said, riding in nyc is a different level of everything than we're used to. and the protected bike lanes are great, but having someone on an ebike coming at you the wrong way is scary as hell. but i don't blame them, NYC's blocks are so large. here's another article that i found insightful https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2017/11/why-does-new-york-city-ban-ebikes/544829/
erok
2017-11-08 11:32:09
I wonder if we should have a distinct discussion about commercial vehicles in bike lanes/ramps. (I learned to drive on LungEyeLand, where there are separate roadways for private and commercial vehicles.) How does a vehicle the size of the UPS machine affect other cyclists? Will it fit amongst the bollards? It would be fascinating to see UPS agitating/ advocating with the Powers That Be to get the Allegheny River Trail opened to (pick a street) - but I think that's more fancy than reality.  
vannever
2017-11-09 21:22:36
(also, I spent today 11/09 in Manhattan, and there's no shortage of e-bikes of various configurations)  
vannever
2017-11-09 21:24:53
Ebikes aren't for me yet, but I think they are great.  The older set can get up hills pedal a little here and there and get around on them.  I see nothing wrong with them.  One passed me on the zoo hill today.  An older guy and he looked happy to be out.  Not everyone can pedal all over our city and why not have an option for those that can't.
gg
2019-11-03 21:13:48
Right. Reasons someone might want an ebike in Pittsburgh:
  • hills
  • you're old
  • you want to bike to work but you don't want to sweat too much
  • long commute
  • heavy loads (groceries or kids)
paulheckbert
2019-11-03 22:21:21
I'm one of those people who said I would never get an E assist bike,but now that I'm closing in on 70 and just can't get up steep city hills anymore,I decided last year to buy one, and absolutely love it!! Most of the time I don't have the motor on unless going up a steep hill,(which happens a lot in the Pittsburgh),and now riding more miles and spending more days cycling due to my E assist bike. E-assist bikes are getting more popular, especially in Pittsburgh and whether one likes it or not, are here to stay due to our Pittsburgh aging population and city hills
cycleguy
2019-11-04 08:08:39
BikeSnobNYC defends e-scooters again: “As of 2018 scooter trips had already exceeded bike share trips for the year, and the gap is only getting bigger. ... Ultimately, freaking out about the dangers of scooters is like worrying about razor blades in candy apples: just another distraction from that SUV bearing down on you.” https://www.outsideonline.com/2405475/e-scooters-not-bad
paulheckbert
2019-11-16 08:38:31
I'm old now.  Even in my prime, I was famous for being slow.  And my prime was sometime in the 20th century.  ("Excuse me, could you direct me to the nearest telegraph office?") Some of my riding friends have told me that if I want to do social rides (like, with other people, even), then I need to start getting an assist to keep up. I'm sort of afraid of  losing the little fitness that I have.   I mean, even going 3.4 mph up Bates Street gets my heart going pretty well. I suppose if there is some regularly scheduled event I want to attend that is double digit miles from home with a hill or two, I'll break down. I think ebikes are getting cheaper and better every year, so waiting makes a lot sense . I'm afraid that when I log in here and check the "I am not a robot" box, it will come back with "F**k you,  a**h****.  You ride an e-bike, robot."
mick
2020-01-13 13:08:53
Mick: I don't think you need to wait any more to get a good, reasonably-priced pedal-assist ebike. I haven't bought one, but I've used those of some friends, and the Trek ebikes seem quite good. It's nice that you can adjust the "assist level" from nothing (in which case you're riding a very heavy bicycle) to slighly-better-than-normal, to ... wow-this-is-way-too-easy! If you're worried that use of an ebike will make you too lazy and won't give you enough exercise then simply resist the urge to use the higher assist levels.
paulheckbert
2020-01-13 23:33:29
Smithsonian Magazine has an article comparing the advent of e-scooters to the advent of bicycles in the 1890s. The bicycle craze of 130 years ago gave women new freedom: "Bicycles, though, made the prospect of wearing “bifurcated raiment” newly practical. Skirts got caught in wheels. By the 1890s, a women in bloomers on a bicycle was an increasingly common sight." https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/fight-scooters-common-19th-century-battle-over-bicycles-180973510/
paulheckbert
2020-01-14 12:38:44
Data point:  Bicycle police at Pitt use e-bikes, now.   Allows them to consume more donuts, yet still climb hills, I guess.
mick
2020-01-14 20:39:15
An article about the popularity of ebikes. Some of the points made, in article and its interesting comments section:
  • People who use ebikes ride more often, so even though they may get less exercise on each ride, they get more exercise overall, compared to people who use mechanical bikes (mbikes)
  • About the same safety as mbikes, except maybe for speeding
  • Great for seniors, for hilly areas, for cargo
  • ebikes mean reduced car use
  • In Germany, ebike sales are now half of car sales
  • Some commenters think ebikes don't belong in bike lanes, because they're too fast
  • Mountain bikers say that inexperienced ebike riders are clogging their trails, making them much more dangerous
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/19/well/move/e-bike-safety-exercise.html
paulheckbert
2020-09-02 22:47:37