Originally Posted by
Maelochs
People found out that mopeds are only fun when the weather is nice, and can't carry much, and can't use highways ... so cars resurged as the desired transport mode for the young and less affluent, and credit policies expanded to lure them in. But you can still buy and ride a moped.
E-bikes will be the same. People will find that they offer some benefits, but most people really won't want to go on fast group rides where they have to hold a wheel and focus all the time---just not that fun for most people. People will realize that they still have to compete with cars on the road, and most people won't want to do that.
I think you're right, but there will still be a growing niche for e-bikes. Mainly for cyclists who like to ride like super-cyclists but still, bicycle enthusiasts to begin with. It's a relevant point: of those people who will become a menace on shared paths, they're likely a menace already without the e-bike. We'll probably just see more stringent enforcement of the speed limit statutes that we have already.