KraneXL

More specifically, pedestrians are surprised by the cyclist proximity, as mentioned previously. Waiting until you get to within arms length of someone will almost always surprise them and cause them to react unpredictably. Its worse than not ringing the bell at all.

A better method would be to begin ringing your bell at a distance, and continue until you get some type of acknowledgement (typically a movement to the right) that they know you are approaching to pass.

Numerozero

Rode my e-bike today to buy groceries. When I came out there were four cyclists (including me) with three e-bikes. Nobody mentioned anything about “cheating “ 😀

Dewey101

It's not cheating if you're not competing, but if it helps there are a couple of exercise studies comparing METs expended during normal cycling with riding a Class 1 pedelec type of ebike :

Berntsen, S., Malnes, L., Langåker, A., & Bere, E. (2017). Physical activity when riding an electric assisted bicycle. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14:55. doi: 10.1186/s12966-017-0513-z

Peterman, J., Morris, K., Kram, R., Byrnes, W., Peterman, J. E., Morris, K. L., & Byrnes, W. C. (2016). Pedelecs as a physically active transportation mode. European Journal Of Applied Physiology, 116(8), 1565-1573. doi: 10.1007/s00421-016-3408-9

KraneXL

Just don't call it cycling.

winston63 

I'm seeing a growing number of electric assist bikes on my commute. It used to be a very occasional sighting, but I'd guess that 10-15% of the traffic I see on our MUPs during commuting hours are now e-bikes of some sort.

I think it's pretty cool if people are transitioning from driving a car to getting around on an e-bike and I don't see this as "cheating" any more than any other form of transport. And it's good to know from those studies up thread that there is some physical benefit here.

I'd guess that riding one also provides that same mental boost that one gets from riding a regular bike, so I see this as a win all round.

My one concern is that a few of the riders are going too fast for conditions, particularly on the trails with lots of other users. In fairness, there's the odd roadie dork who's also confused the MUP with their personal training route, but at least most of those have half decent riding skills.

Lurch

You are riding a motorcycle or at best a moped.

KraneXL

That's because you're judging it as alternate transportation and not as sport/exercise.Its like doing pullups on a weight assisted machines. You're getting some exercise. But just because you can do 10 of them, doesn't mean you can do 10 pullups.Now you're getting the picture. Trails weren't designed for this, and sometimes the mixture can make riding potentially more hazardous, especially when mixed with conventional bikes.

angerdan

No, pedelecs just give pedal assist, so without pedal force no motor assist. But without motor assist you can still use it as bicycle.

CharlieFree

you've lost that battle. Names are just semantics here (you could technically argue that electric shifting isn't "cycling" since it's assisting). Every year more and more floor space is devoted to electric assist bikes at bike shops (not motorcycle shops or moped shops). I've had conversations with owners and they see it an opportunity to get people off their couches and out of their cars. Which I agree with. Cyclists do themselves a disservice for advocacy if they nitpick about road vs. cyclocross vs. mountain biking vs. fatbikes vs. ebikes etc.etc.

KraneXL

In fact, they do it to remain solvent. Like Porsche needing to add an SUV to its once all sports car line. It would not have survived otherwise. That's why bike shops nowadays are more like sport shops. Not an appropriate parallel since all of the aforementioned bikes all requires 100% human power to move. Your ebike does not.

angerdan

If somebody want to, he can drive an pedelec 100% muscle powered. But the higher weight makes it even more exhausting
So an pedelec is an hybrid bicycle, which can be muscle powered from 33-100%.

KraneXL

MikeyMK

What's more, some, including mine, have regeneration over their set cruise speed - if I'm in speed-1 the motor is resisting over 20mph and charging the batteries, which is also charging my phone. So that's my legs working to do more than merely push a bike.

fietsbob 

Use the powered cart in the grocery store too?

RostHaus

Meh I find my ebike conversions one of the best purchases I've ever made.
Reasons:
-Sweat free commuting. 6 months out of the year its 85F+
-Regularly loaded with an extra 50 lb in my panniers
-Surrounded by steep hills
-Lack of bicycle infrastructure in a large city, The ability to quickly get out of the way of the cars in traffic is a huge plus.

I have about 3,000 trouble free miles on mine; and would probably never go back to a non electric for commuting/errand running.
I'd probably replace of one of my cars if I could find a Bullit Bakfiet to convert.

Its a happy medium between a bicycle and silent scooter.

For me its more about staying out of my cars as much as possible and not getting run over while doing it.

KraneXL

And there end lies the crux of my argument: the predominate distinction between cyclist and e-bike rider.

powell

this "distinction" is blurred and depends on interpretetion.

angerdan

You're talking about ebikes, i'm about pedelecs. Thats the first difference to learn.

KraneXL

Well you presented a headline with no story. Allow me:

Pedelecs are bicycles augmented by electric motors where you MUST pedal to make them work.
E-bikes can be pedal assist, but can also operate 100% on electric power ALONE with no pedaling needed.

The "e-bike" are in fact nothing more than a 2000s version mopeds with an electric motor to replace the petrol version. Like the moped before it, its a pretend bike since nobody ever actually pedaled a moped. E-bike = electric mopeds.


Look familiar?



Circa 1901

angerdan

exactly