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Originally Posted by winston63
(Post 19409351)
Very interesting report! I'd like to add an e-assist cargo bike at some point myself. I don't need one for commuting, but with a capable enough bike I could dramatically reduce the need to use a car for some things and that's a big enough win in my books.
My big problem at present is storage. I really don't have anywhere practical to keep a large, heavy bike. |
Originally Posted by Leebo
(Post 19409390)
I never thought of a public domain MUP as a sanctuary. Interesting. Precious 8-10' wide pavement? Hmmmm. I commuted about 2,100 bike miles this last year. More on day trips, mt biking and touring. Sad? Folks who are so narrow minded about the bright future of transportation. That doesn't involve a gas engine. Wait till the regen able motors for bikes get here, just pedaling will charge them up. Whooot. I guess you never pedal on the road? The Fred reference was to Fred Flintstone. Ya know, a pedal car. Use any dyno hubs on your tours? Same thing, no? I don't text and drive or text and pedal, only air guitar. Van Halen, really loud singing off key, every one gets outta my way. Really.
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Originally Posted by alan s
(Post 19408351)
Appreciate the shout out on the Lynskey. Reminds me to update that thread with some recent changes.
I agree there are lots of issues, not just with cyclists, but all MUP users, that could be addressed. The extreme outliers should be aware they are making the situation more dangerous and unpleasant for all. I put e-bikes in that extreme, particularly on uphills, where let's say, the average cyclist is riding at 12 mph, and the e-bike is passing everyone at 20 mph. Using the MUPs to get around traffic and cheat the system is really unfair to those using the MUPs as intended. I've never considered that you could "cheat" at commuting (didn't realize I was in a competition.) Per the laws in my State and community, riding an ebike on the MUP is within the intent. An ebike such as mine is classified as a bicycle, not a motor vehicle per State law. |
The basic problem is speed differential. It doesn’t matter whether the faster MUP traveler is running or riding a bike; if the speed difference it too great (whatever that might mean) --- there will be conflict.
When I ride on a MUP, I consider everyone I approach from behind to be completely unaware of me and act accordingly (i.e. I go slow and announce my presence). I also act as though some of them are self-involved folks who are at least one standard deviation down on the IQ scale. ;o) Joe |
Originally Posted by Leebo
(Post 19409399)
I think the e cargo bikes are great for the shopping, groceries and bulk kind of stuff, kids as well. So no garage? Storage shed? Rent one when needed? Do a bike share with a small group of friends? All kinds of solutions these days.
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Originally Posted by InTheRain
(Post 19409475)
Per the laws in my State and community, riding an ebike on the MUP is within the intent. An ebike such as mine is classified as a bicycle, not a motor vehicle per State law.
No question that the e-bikes tend to go much faster than I'm capable of, but then again a large number of roadies go faster than me as well. |
Originally Posted by kickstart
(Post 19409449)
My Radwagon is rather compact for a cargo bike, it's only 4 inches longer than my classic Dutch bike, and 7 inches longer than my trekking bike. It's an excellent replacement for a car, I only drive my wife's car maybe a dozen times a year, and it will probably be able to eliminate any need to drive it. I've also noticed that motorists seem to be more accommodating when I'm riding it , but I hesitate to speculate why.
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Originally Posted by InTheRain
(Post 19409475)
Per the laws in my State and community, riding an ebike on the MUP is within the intent. An ebike such as mine is classified as a bicycle, not a motor vehicle per State law.
MUPs in my area are operated by the parks district and the vehicle code doesn't apply. But e-bikes are prohibited by the park rules. |
Originally Posted by alan s
(Post 19408351)
Appreciate the shout out on the Lynskey. Reminds me to update that thread with some recent changes.
I agree there are lots of issues, not just with cyclists, but all MUP users, that could be addressed. The extreme outliers should be aware they are making the situation more dangerous and unpleasant for all. I put e-bikes in that extreme, particularly on uphills, where let's say, the average cyclist is riding at 12 mph, and the e-bike is passing everyone at 20 mph. Using the MUPs to get around traffic and cheat the system is really unfair to those using the MUPs as intended. |
Originally Posted by alan s
(Post 19409342)
I think a troll is someone who posts nonsense just to get a rise out of someone. Like you are doing right now.
A troll is someone who goes into a thread and picks an argument with each and every person who does not agree with their point of view, and just works continuously to create havic in the thread. A troll is someone who goes into a thread and continues to post comments that are not related to the OP. You have done both of these, over and over. I was attempting to get folks to stop feeding you, but I too have fallen into the trap of feeding the troll. I doubt that you will provide a serious answer to my comment. However, if you look at your behavior in this thread, you fit the definition of a troll. Your dislike of ebikes could be your own thread, but instead you are doing everything you can to damage someone else's thread, and have not made a single meaningful comment related to the OP. |
Originally Posted by alan s
(Post 19409837)
This is a forum, the last time I checked. People have different points of view. If you go back and read the original post, especially the last part, you may need to rethink your position. Ask yourself, aside from trolling, what was your contribution? Shouting down someone who disagrees with you is the lowest form of debate. Name calling is the 2nd lowest.
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Originally Posted by alan s
(Post 19409837)
This is a forum, the last time I checked. People have different points of view. If you go back and read the original post, especially the last part, you may need to rethink your position. Ask yourself, aside from trolling, what was your contribution? Shouting down someone who disagrees with you is the lowest form of debate. Name calling is the 2nd lowest.
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Originally Posted by kickstart
(Post 19409960)
I started this thread to highlight a benefit of commuting on an E-bike, NOT TO DEBATE WHERE THEY MAY BE ALLOWED. You're being a self centered, disrespectful troll, If you can't show some common courtesy by staying on topic, start your own thread.
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This thread is about the unexpected benefits of commuting by e-bike. It is not an appropriate thread to debate the use of bikes on MUPs. If you would like to debate that, start your own thread.
alan s, please leave this thread. |
Originally Posted by Kindaslow
(Post 19410024)
Like you, I have been totally a surprised by the good workout, and needed to do this to save my knees. A friend who raced MTBs on the world circuit level was loaned an emtb, he was surprised by the workout and how fun it is I got to ride that bike, and agreed with him. Being able to use 4 levels of assist make it possible and practical.
The decision the get an e-bike was difficult for me. Besides being a major purchase for our budget, I was really concerned I would still be getting less exercise than I need, but I really didn't want to give up bike commuting completely so I took the leap. It was a real revelation that not only was that concern unfounded, it was 180 degrees off. Getting an e-bike has been one of the best transportation choices I have ever made, and feel a little bit foolish that I let misinformation and peer pressure put it off so long. |
Originally Posted by kickstart
(Post 19410219)
The issue with my knees had gotten so bad I actually laid off from bike commuting for several months, and I started gaining weight because only doing recreational riding on weekends was insufficient.
The decision the get an e-bike was difficult for me. Besides being a major purchase for our budget, I was really concerned I would still be getting less exercise than I need, but I really didn't want to give up bike commuting completely so I took the leap. It was a real revelation that not only was that concern unfounded, it was 180 degrees off. Getting an e-bike has been one of the best transportation choices I have ever made, and feel a little bit foolish that I let misinformation and peer pressure put it off so long. I have also been extremely happy with the quality/ride of my new bike. My only problem has been the ice has cut my commuting horribly this winter. But, that is clearing up. I have a mile or so through a neighborhood with overhanging trees. So, low/mid thirties almost guarantees ice. |
Originally Posted by steve0257
(Post 19409785)
I don't have an e-assist bike but occasionally consider one. Mostly because I would love to do 12 mph up hill. I'm getting tired of getting passed by the joggers when I'm climbing.
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Mixed feelings
Research suggests the more bikes out there, the safer it is for all. Fatalities and collisions remained constant as use quadrupled. Motorists are perhaps more aware, and that cannot be bad.
Adding assisted bikes will probably mean more less experienced riders . There is a ebike store on my commute and I have dropped by, checked them out and considered them as perhaps an option as my body ages. Beyond my situation, it is not hard to imagine where they might offer options to a variety of needs. Increased mode share is not a bad thing, in general. However I remember when the CB radio went from a pleasurable hobby and a useful tool to absolute dysfunction owing to hordes of overwhelming numbers. Safe facilities are rare enough throughout the country, would every MUP or separated roadway be overwhelmed as a result? |
Originally Posted by jgadamski
(Post 19410264)
Research suggests the more bikes out there, the safer it is for all. Fatalities and collisions remained constant as use quadrupled. Motorists are perhaps more aware, and that cannot be bad.
Adding assisted bikes will probably mean more less experienced riders . There is a ebike store on my commute and I have dropped by, checked them out and considered them as perhaps an option as my body ages. Beyond my situation, it is not hard to imagine where they might offer options to a variety of needs. Increased mode share is not a bad thing, in general. However I remember when the CB radio went from a pleasurable hobby and a useful tool to absolute dysfunction owing to hordes of overwhelming numbers. Safe facilities are rare enough throughout the country, would every MUP or separated roadway be overwhelmed as a result? |
Originally Posted by DiabloScott
(Post 19409662)
Would you ride on the MUP if it were explicitly banned?
MUPs in my area are operated by the parks district and the vehicle code doesn't apply. But e-bikes are prohibited by the park rules. I was thinking about this thread on my commute home last night and this morning. I saw only one other person on the 6 miles of MUP that I ride on each leg of my commute. 1 was walking in the opposite direction, the other was riding in the opposite direction. It's sad that such a great asset is not utilized... and there is an argument to keep ebikes off of it also? |
After 30 years of being "off bike" I started riding again, on an e-bike. And I got all kinds of attitude from certain people (get a real bike, blah blah blah). I was just thrilled to not be driving a car (finally retired, after years of a long car commute). The e-bike helped me get back in shape and rekindled my love of cycling and then I sold it to someone who was just starting their journey back into biking and bought myself that "real" bike, lol. I'm not ready yet, at 67, to put a motor on it but I am sure at some point I will do so. When I can no longer comfortably pedal it due to physical constraints, I will be quite happy to add a motor so I can continue to ride and be car-lite. Where I live, I see commuters on e bikes INSTEAD of owning cars, parents hauling kids everywhere on cargo e-bikes rather than using cars, and seniors like myself riding e-bikes. Complaining about e-bikes is like a fixie rider putting down someone with gears. It's not a competition. Any bike is a good bike because it is not a car.
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I honestly don't think e-bikes are going to be taking over the MUPs any time soon. They are expensive and most people won't see them as a substitute for a car, at least here in California. They will just see them as another toy that they may or may not want to spend disposable income on.
As a runner, I get passed by cyclists all the time on the MUP. I wave at everyone and I usually get more waves back from cyclists than other runners. You can't change what other people do, but you can change your own attitude. I almost always have a good time when I am out riding or running. |
In less than a month I've had more non cyclists ask questions and show genuine interest in my E-cargo bike than I have had for my regular bikes in the past 5 years.
A couple of guys at work who never showed the slightest interest in my regular bikes were peppering me with questions like where I got it, how much was it, do they allow test rides, ECT. I don't think we'll see an explosion in their use like Asia and Europe, but I suspect they will continue to gain popularity with those outside the cycling community. |
Originally Posted by kickstart
(Post 19404727)
I'm now getting more, and better exercise when commuting.
Really. I live in a valley, and work in a valley with a rolling plateau in between, meaning I have steep climbs in both directions, the worst being in the pm at a mile long and 15 to 18% grade. My normal mode of commuting has been taking it easy to save energy for the upcoming climb, mashing up the hill in granny gear, then recovering from the hill. After a hard day at work handling freight that means often getting home totally knackered and sore. With my new Radwagon e-cargo bike I'm working less on the hills using assist level 3 of 5, but pedaling harder the rest of the time using assist level 0 or 1 of 5 which basically evens out how hard I pedal for the entire commute. The workout I'm getting is now more cardio. I'm feeling much better when I get home, and my knees are much happier. The difference is readily apparent when riding my regular bikes on the weekend, which is a good thing as I was concerned it would have a negative effect on my ability when riding without e-assist. It's also returned my interest in pure recreational riding as I'm not feeling burned out from commuting every day. Another plus is that its actually as fast or faster than my motorcycle as I can still use the bike lanes and MUT to avoid the gridlock through downtown, and I'm going up the mile long hill at 6-7 mph rather than 3-4 mph. It appears some posts may have been deleted? :lol: |
Originally Posted by AlmostTrick
(Post 19412679)
I'm late to the thread but would like to thank you Kicks for posting this. I have zero experience with e-bikes but everything you posted makes perfect sense to me. I'm glad it's working out well for you and hope others are encouraged to consider an e-assist bike to replace some car trips. :thumb:
It appears some posts may have been deleted? :lol: On my trekking bike its 1.5 miles of busting a** in an all out effort up hill, 1.5 miles of letting gravity do the work down hill, and 5 miles of taking it easy on rolling terrain. On my e-bike its 1.5 miles of letting gravity do the work down hill, and 6.5 miles of spinning briskly on the hills and rolling terrain. I was questioning how much longer I could continue bike commuting. Now I'm confident I can continue to bike commute as long as I'm working, and I will be improving my physical condition rather than aggravating the issues I have. |
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