PatrickGSR94

My views on filtering don't really belong in this thread. If it's a huge traffic jam with miles of traffic stopped between multiple lights, then sure, filter until the cows come home because the motor traffic is going nowhere fast. But on otherwise free-flowing roads, I'm against any type of shoaling (slower traffic passing faster traffic, causing the faster traffic to have to pass yet again). That applies to both cyclists and motorists alike.

rhm

I tend to agree with that. I am safer if I put myself where drivers can see me, and the best place for that is in front of them. I stay out of their way, but if I can I place myself in their field of vision.

If the road is so narrow that there will be no way to stay out of cars' way when traffic starts moving, then I will not filter up. That would be rude, and would break one of my fundamental rules: don't get in the way.

PatrickGSR94

My thoughts are, if you stay behind the cars in front of you, you don't have to worry about whether they see you or not, because they've already passed. You only have to worry about motorists not seeing you when you're in front of, OR BESIDE them.

noglider 

In my world, staying behind traffic waiting at a light doesn't reduce the number of cars close behind me since there are so many of them everywhere, all the time. Your technique makes sense when you're behind a pack and there's no pack close behind.

JanMM

I'd call 911 while trying to catch up.

San Pedro

Depends on the wind. Though like others, I'd be trying to draft and get a free pull.

Rollfast

I stay on the side the entire time. I could care less if they have a motor.

Oldsport

I get passed by an eBike several times a week during my long 32 mile rt commute. I live in Seoul so eBikes are very common. The only thing that I find odd is the number of people on eBikes that don't peddle at all. I cannot figure that out.
My ride is along the Han River. This is basically a giant wind tunnel. Just last week I saw two people fall over because of the insane winds out here. I am also not in great shape. So when I see an eBike pass me I simply draft him as long as I can. I love getting home that much earlier and less tired.

CanoeRoller

I would check out the ebike as it passed, and feel smug if it was a cheap ebike, jealous if it was an expensive ebike, and sad if it was the same make and model as mine.

Kindaslow

Awesome!

Joe Minton

CanoeRoller:

LOL!

Joe

MMACH 5

Since I have a mirror on my glasses, I could see them coming. I'd have time to get my pump in my hand. Then I go all "Breaking Away" on them and shove it into their front spokes.

edit: And then I yell at them in Italian as I ride away. (Note to self: Learn Italian.)

Kedosto

So "stick in their spokes" isn't an option or did I miss it?

Seriously... smile and maybe wave as they go by.

-Kedosto

jfowler85

You decidedly did not ignore this poll format by virtue that you are responding to it. Irony.

steve0257

If I get passed by an e-bike I'll latch one with one o these.

Bicycle Bungee - Home of the Bike Bungee cord - making tandem cycling easier

PatrickGSR94

Is that real?? That looks like a joke! I wouldn't be caught dead pulling my wife or kid or anyone else around on a "leash". That would be embarrassing.

AlmostTrick

I wouldn't be embarrassed, but I do wonder how well it would work. My bigger concern would be how dangerous it may be.

jon c. 

I can't see how that could possibly be safe.

MtnBkrBear

I'm old and slow and grateful I can still ride a bike. If it gets to the point where I can't ride a regular bike I'll happily ride an ebike if it lets me continue to ride on two wheels.

canklecat

Nothing. Doesn't affect me one way or another as long as they're riding with the same courtesy we'd expect from any rider, and show to others.

I was passed for the first time by an ebike a few weeks ago. Only reason I noticed was because I was flying at one of the fastest paces I've managed since resuming cycling in 2015, on a slight downhill grade with no wind -- and was still passed like I was stopped by a fat bike. Nothing unusual there, I've been passed by human powered fat bikes before, even when I thought I was pedaling flat out. Only after he passed did I realize it was an ebike. That was less humiliating than being passed by a human powered fat bike with knobbies doing 20 mph when I was doing 18 mph on my old rigid mountain bike with city tires.

In January I realized a friend was using e-assist bikes only when we rode together and he mentioned it. We'd ridden in casual groups before and the 10-12 mph pace didn't draw any attention. But on our more recent ride we tackled a hilly route on a windy day and I noticed he was passing me easily on hills with a head wind -- riding a heavy comfort hybrid, while I was on a lighter rigid frame bike. He just laughed and pointed to the e-assist mechanism that kicked in on hills and on demand.

I'd consider an e-assist bike if I rode more often in heavy traffic. There are some busy stretches I avoid because I can't sustain a 20 mph speed for longer than a sprint on some slight uphill grades. But having an assist to get through a tricky mile-long or so segment might be helpful and safer.

kickstart

Some people were incredulous about my claim that I still get quality if not better exercise commuting on my e-bike as its counter intuitive, but I found some supporting evidence to this claim.
https://seattleelectricbike.net/2016...g-heres-proof/

350htrr

Well now... What does that mean, getting a better exercise/work out. Well if you did your trip in a car, it certainly does mean you are, getting more of a workout riding an E-Bike, than riding in a car/buss/train/taxi,...BUT, does that mean you are getting as good of a workout as riding a regular bicycle, NO... It just means it's better than riding in a car/buss/train/taxi, it's just the way it is/works...

kickstart

The results of the study don't agree with your opinion.

"After collecting, tabulating and analyzing the data, La Salle reached three key conclusions:

(1) The actual amount of energy expended by the riders was nearly identical for both modes: electric-assist and manual.

(2) The biggest difference was in the time it took to complete the circuit; on average riding the eBike took around 1 minute less than in the non-electric mode.

(3) Significantly, all the riders rated their perceived exertion (RPE) using the ACSM’s scale as being easier using electric mode made. If riding the bike in manual mode was rated 15, riding it in pedal-assist mode was a 10. That’s a huge difference in rider perception between the two modes.

So, in effect, as a group, they completed the course sooner, felt better at the end, and yet burned virtually the same amount of energy."

350htrr

Ha, Ha, That's just so full of BS, that it is un-believable... How can you think you have expended the same amount of "energy" when, lets say you are receiving 35% or more "assistance" to do a certain amount of miles...

Lets say 10 miles in 1/2 Hr, but it would take you 45 minutes to do the same thing, on your own... But, you only pedalled for 1/2 Hr,... to me it means you spent at least 35% less energy than doing it all on your own... Because, not only did you only pedal using 35% less energy, but you also rode for lets say only 1/2 Hr instead of 45 minutes, about 35% less energy for about 1/2 or the time, than it would have taken you to do it without assistance... JMO

kickstart

Sorry, but my personal experiences, and the results of the controlled study say otherwise. Not understanding it doesn't make it incorrect.