The reason folks aren't buying your argument/position/theory is that you are including two very different things in your use of the term "assistance." As Biker395 has made clear, a rider powered bike requires the same amount of effort or work by the rider to complete a route, regardless of the gearing. He just takes more or less time. Single or multiple speeds are irrelevant as the single speed could have any gearing combo. No matter the gearing, there is no "assistance" provided the rider. When you talk of "assistance" from from an e bike, you are referencing the power stored in the battery, totally independent of the rider. Whether he has to pedal or turn a throttle to access this additional power source is immaterial.