E-bike Sales Overtake Bicycle Sales In Germany
#1
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E-bike Sales Overtake Bicycle Sales In Germany
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#2
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Interesting article. Wish it offered more detail which included demographics.
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Here in Lincoln Ne, a large percentage of the bikes and trikes I see on the bike trails are now electric. The good thing about this is if you look at some of the people riding, if it wasnt for E-bikes, I think they would be home on the couch. A personal example of this is a guy I worked with, who used to laugh at my biking, now has two E-bikes. One for himself and one for his wife. And they do ride them all the time.
Then I too have had and E-trike for the last year and a half. But the thing is at 85 I feel that I am losing leg strength, so I have a new trike on order that is not electric. I am hoping to regain back my former leg strength. Again I am in the snowbelt, and hate riding in the cold. When warm I ride from 20 to 35 miles every other day.
I guess what Im saying here is dont be in a hurry to go electric, yes they are nice and fun to ride, especially as you get older, but maintain your strength for as long as you can.
Then I too have had and E-trike for the last year and a half. But the thing is at 85 I feel that I am losing leg strength, so I have a new trike on order that is not electric. I am hoping to regain back my former leg strength. Again I am in the snowbelt, and hate riding in the cold. When warm I ride from 20 to 35 miles every other day.
I guess what Im saying here is dont be in a hurry to go electric, yes they are nice and fun to ride, especially as you get older, but maintain your strength for as long as you can.
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#4
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Rydabent, you point out an important detail about e-bikes that most of us don't think about, leg strength and general conditioning of the lower body and back. My brother's wife bought an e-bike from me a few years back at age 75. Her reason for doing so after riding a bicycle on a regular basis for over 20 years was that she didn't want to work as hard to ride the bike. Valid reason, and the whole point behind the electric assist.
What she didn't take into account was that the muscles involved in the pedaling motion are not being asked to take on the task in the same way, it is less strenuous and demands much less from the muscles. This can be a benefit for some, but a detriment for others whom do not need the lower effort even at an advanced age. If looking to purchase an e-bike it is wise to understand this.
What she didn't take into account was that the muscles involved in the pedaling motion are not being asked to take on the task in the same way, it is less strenuous and demands much less from the muscles. This can be a benefit for some, but a detriment for others whom do not need the lower effort even at an advanced age. If looking to purchase an e-bike it is wise to understand this.
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I ride both electric and “acoustic” bikes. I do a fair bit of work on most of my e-bikes. I can do as little or much as I want.
For grocery runs the weight doesn’t matter much. For communing, e-bikes are GREAT; I don’t have to arrive sweaty.
Tonight, I’ll probably get an ebike ride in to save my legs for the St. Paddy’s Day ride tomorrow.
For grocery runs the weight doesn’t matter much. For communing, e-bikes are GREAT; I don’t have to arrive sweaty.
Tonight, I’ll probably get an ebike ride in to save my legs for the St. Paddy’s Day ride tomorrow.
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I hate to bring this up again, but one of these days this is going to blow up all over the media and there will be a big backlash against e-bikes:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3573...en%20and%20men.
Even regular cycling doesn't provide enough load to load the bones. E-bike will lessen that load even more.
I think all e-bikes must have a function where every 5 minutes it will reverse the load cycle and force you to stand up and ride doubly hard to recharge the battery.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3573...en%20and%20men.
Several studies have shown that cycling regularly, particularly road cycling, without a combination of off-road cycling/ running/ impact exercise, leads to a decrease in bone density especially in the hip area. The phenomenon is seen at all ages (adolescents and adults), in women and men.
I think all e-bikes must have a function where every 5 minutes it will reverse the load cycle and force you to stand up and ride doubly hard to recharge the battery.
#7
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It is entirely different for bicyclists in Germany. I have spent time in some of their larger cities and they have streets that do not allow any motor vehicles during daylight hours. There are bridges that are for bicycles and pedestrians only to use. It was common to see men and women in business attire bicycling to work or to go shopping and using the bike as basic transportation and not for sport.
But there people have the option of excellent public transportation options within cities and the availability of 200 mph trains to go from one city to the next. (in comfort). A family does not need to own a single car unlike the USA where two or three or more are needed for family members to get around.
Transportation planning and funding since WW II has been designed to encourage use of automobiles and discourage use of public transportation and this has been successful and very profitable for the auto, tire, gas, real estate, and construction businesses.
But there people have the option of excellent public transportation options within cities and the availability of 200 mph trains to go from one city to the next. (in comfort). A family does not need to own a single car unlike the USA where two or three or more are needed for family members to get around.
Transportation planning and funding since WW II has been designed to encourage use of automobiles and discourage use of public transportation and this has been successful and very profitable for the auto, tire, gas, real estate, and construction businesses.
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#8
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I hate to bring this up again, but one of these days this is going to blow up all over the media and there will be a big backlash against e-bikes:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3573...en%20and%20men.
Even regular cycling doesn't provide enough load to load the bones. E-bike will lessen that load even more.
I think all e-bikes must have a function where every 5 minutes it will reverse the load cycle and force you to stand up and ride doubly hard to recharge the battery.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3573...en%20and%20men.
Even regular cycling doesn't provide enough load to load the bones. E-bike will lessen that load even more.
I think all e-bikes must have a function where every 5 minutes it will reverse the load cycle and force you to stand up and ride doubly hard to recharge the battery.
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I hate to bring this up again, but one of these days this is going to blow up all over the media and there will be a big backlash against e-bikes:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3573...en%20and%20men.
Even regular cycling doesn't provide enough load to load the bones. E-bike will lessen that load even more.
I think all e-bikes must have a function where every 5 minutes it will reverse the load cycle and force you to stand up and ride doubly hard to recharge the battery.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3573...en%20and%20men.
Even regular cycling doesn't provide enough load to load the bones. E-bike will lessen that load even more.
I think all e-bikes must have a function where every 5 minutes it will reverse the load cycle and force you to stand up and ride doubly hard to recharge the battery.
Another quote from your linked study:-
“a review of the medical literature shows that paradoxically, road cycling has a negative effect on bone strength”
#10
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If e-bike use will reduce car use, wonderful. I already see this happening in cities without extensive public transportation, and scarce parking, both at residences, and other places like employment and shopping. My city is friendly enough that I can wheel my bike into stores, as I won't leave it chained outside, that is now zero protection against theft. A few miles out geographically, perhaps up to 10 miles, people will need good and safe bike routes, and can use manual or electric. Further out, most people will drive, unless there are good bike routes and they want to save the money of buying a car at all, that's a huge savings.
The USA is, in general, not set up for bikes and public transportation, and it should be.
Most of europe does not have suburban sprawl; Farmland is precious. Even in the countryside, you see high-rise residences, to preserve farmland. Most people that work in a city, live in that city. New York City was at its peak when that was the case, instead of millions coming into the city each day for work, doubling or tripling the city population.
The USA is, in general, not set up for bikes and public transportation, and it should be.
Most of europe does not have suburban sprawl; Farmland is precious. Even in the countryside, you see high-rise residences, to preserve farmland. Most people that work in a city, live in that city. New York City was at its peak when that was the case, instead of millions coming into the city each day for work, doubling or tripling the city population.
Last edited by Duragrouch; 03-16-24 at 05:23 PM.
#11
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I still can't fathom good reason to have motors on MTB, gravel or road bikes. But on bike for daily transportation, makes a lot of sense.
Last edited by zymphad; 03-16-24 at 07:36 PM.
#12
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That sounds harsh, but it's true -- and laziness is not necessarily bad. Human beings' inherent laziness is exactly the trait that has led us to develop, well, almost everything that we call 'progress' -- from elevators, to washing machines, to airplanes, to computers. We could have continued chasing down prey and clubbing them with sticks -- but that's hard, so we developed traps, and bows, and guns. We could have continued foraging around for anything edible, but it turns out that if you plant food in a known location, you can sit on your duff for eight months while it grows.
All that said, from talking to a couple bike shop owners that I'm acquainted with, they all say that in the US, one won't be able to buy a motor-free bike in a shop within ten years. They can't sell them now, and no one will even try soon. LBS inventory will be electric only, and anyone who wants a traditional bike will have to order it D2C -- probably from a small group of manufacturers who continue to build them. Except for the enthusiasts on forums like this, no one else wants anything to do with powering their own vehicle, and there are probably not enough of 'us' to support profitable business models.
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#13
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Not surprising since I would guess cycling is a big part of transportation in Germany. I see very few electric bikes around me since cycling is more hobby than transportation. People too afraid to ride a bike around here in general. Was sad to see Peloton sales skyrocket but my co-workers who bought it said they would never ride a real bike since they are afraid of drivers.
I still can't fathom good reason to have motors on MTB, gravel or road bikes. But on bike for daily transportation, makes a lot of sense.
I still can't fathom good reason to have motors on MTB, gravel or road bikes. But on bike for daily transportation, makes a lot of sense.
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Agree with most of what you say. I live in a mountain biking meca - trails right out the front door for miles. The hills here are also steep and take a lot out of one to get to the prime single track. I can definitely see how a motor would be highly advantageous, to get the most runs in. A good comparison would be walking up a ski-hill versus riding a chair lift. A motor might be cheating, but it certainly doesn’t hurt when doing 7-17% climbs on a mile +. No one uses their motors on the way down - it would be suicidal. But you do you. 😁
On the flip side of this, IDK that I want to increase the numbers of riders that are able to navigate these trails. At the end of the day, I'm selfish when it comes to my home riding turf and I don't want large numbers of people out there.
#15
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I never heard this before if true, ( PubMed ) I wish it weren't the case. Doring Covid ,I rode to work every day, even if I was tired before I left the house I felt rejuvenated wonderful as I entered the office. there are still benefits to riding bicycles, on a regular basis obviously. riding I think it did me a lot of good to finally get on the bike every day, good for the heart and lungs oxygen etc. perhaps there are compensating factors. I wonder what swimming does, a truly great exercise. Well I'm not going to swim to my job anytime soon.
#16
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Motors and batteries are heavy, that is a cost. I already have a difficult time hauling my 55 lbs townie (folder with 4 panniers and trunk bag full of tools) up two flights of stairs due to no elevator. A motor and battery would probably add 10-15 lbs, and that's a lot for me, because with the panniers full of groceries, then it becomes an impossible carry.
Ideally, if you have e-bikes where the big battery comes off easy, and, same for the motor, like a mid-drive so the motor can be smaller, with a gear and contacts on the end, and it plugs into a recess like a cartridge, and the bike can be ridden fine without either, that would be great.
We're getting like the passengers in Wall-E.
Ideally, if you have e-bikes where the big battery comes off easy, and, same for the motor, like a mid-drive so the motor can be smaller, with a gear and contacts on the end, and it plugs into a recess like a cartridge, and the bike can be ridden fine without either, that would be great.
We're getting like the passengers in Wall-E.
#17
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Yep, I could see the benefit of an E-bike on some of my nearby trails up in the high country. These aren't the typical XC-style trails, instead they often consist of 2000' technical climbs that take a couple of hours to ride/hike-a-bike up...and then you are rewarded with less than 30 minutes of descending. I still actively seek out self flagellation in my rides, so I'm totally good with my acoustic bike, but I could see how my method wouldn't work for everyone. Even if someone has the technical skills for the downhills, there is a high requisite amount of base fitness to even ride up.
On the flip side of this, IDK that I want to increase the numbers of riders that are able to navigate these trails. At the end of the day, I'm selfish when it comes to my home riding turf and I don't want large numbers of people out there.
On the flip side of this, IDK that I want to increase the numbers of riders that are able to navigate these trails. At the end of the day, I'm selfish when it comes to my home riding turf and I don't want large numbers of people out there.
I still have an acoustic mtb and grind up the hills, but with the recent cougar attack within 2 miles of my house - with it’s sibling and mother in the neighborhood, will stick to the road - so I can get quickly splatted instead.
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Agree about the ‘if you want to ride it, ya got to earn it’. That was my mantra for many years, and when I see others who busted their @$$es to get up there, it’s a sort of brotherhood.
I still have an acoustic mtb and grind up the hills, but with the recent cougar attack within 2 miles of my house - with it’s sibling and mother in the neighborhood, will stick to the road - so I can get quickly splatted instead.
I still have an acoustic mtb and grind up the hills, but with the recent cougar attack within 2 miles of my house - with it’s sibling and mother in the neighborhood, will stick to the road - so I can get quickly splatted instead.
"Earn your turns" was the mantra of telemark skiers, no chairlift or helo.
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Motors and batteries are heavy, that is a cost. I already have a difficult time hauling my 55 lbs townie (folder with 4 panniers and trunk bag full of tools) up two flights of stairs due to no elevator. A motor and battery would probably add 10-15 lbs, and that's a lot for me, because with the panniers full of groceries, then it becomes an impossible carry.
Ideally, if you have e-bikes where the big battery comes off easy, and, same for the motor, like a mid-drive so the motor can be smaller, with a gear and contacts on the end, and it plugs into a recess like a cartridge, and the bike can be ridden fine without either, that would be great.
We're getting like the passengers in Wall-E.
Ideally, if you have e-bikes where the big battery comes off easy, and, same for the motor, like a mid-drive so the motor can be smaller, with a gear and contacts on the end, and it plugs into a recess like a cartridge, and the bike can be ridden fine without either, that would be great.
We're getting like the passengers in Wall-E.
#20
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I tried to lighten the load, took out the chain tool. Three days later on the bike trail, someone had broken a chain. Put chain tool back in kit.
Last edited by Duragrouch; 03-17-24 at 01:58 AM.
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#23
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Oh, and I prefer acousticly quiet bikes so I run more grease in the freehub, or buy shimano/old wheels with low engagement+quiet.
I am pretty sure it's a common way of saying "mechanical" bike vs E-bike.
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The question is WHY cycling causes this problem. The answer is that cycling doesn't put enough of a load on your bones. Now e-bikes, because of the electric assist, put even less of a load on your bones. So that will certainly become a problem over the long run.
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