bogydave

Troul 

As much as I'd like to jump on that theory, it isn't legal to ride on all ped used routes.
The bike paths around my neck of the woods all have signs posted stating "No motorized vehicles allowed" That does include e-bikes. The electric windings make up a motor.

Also, the amount of use that those e-bikes might see around here is at best five months out of 12. Factor in theft/crime, it just doesn't seem like a favorable idea. Might be best to just relocate closer to work that might make a fat tire bike a better choice when the snow hits.

CliffordK

The legality of E-Bikes on paths is ambiguous. For a large part they are being ignored in most localities. And, it is better for everyone to have them off of the streets as much as possible.

That could change, of course, as we get more of them.

However, in my personal life, I have gotten most of my bike riding and exercise through bike commuting. I just never get out jogging.

So, I'd prefer just using my road bike. Ok, so I'm not dragging a boat anchor around (but do frequently have a trailer). But, that is my exercise. Riding a "motorcycle" just won't do it.

What the E-Bikes may do is extend the range that people do. So, the average bike commute is < 10 miles, and few are > 20 miles. And E-Bike could extend that somewhat, although speed becomes an issue when going > 20 miles (an hour or so on a bike).

Oh, and if I work at it, I can average 18MPH on a pedal bike. No need for fancy electronics.

badger1

Ummmm ... there is an E-bike sub-forum on here (I have no idea why; these contraptions have nothing to do with cycling) for people interested in electric mopeds of all sorts. You should ask to have this thread moved there.

Me? Nope. No interest. I'm interested in bicycles -- the use thereof for various purposes -- and the activity of cycling.

Gconan

I have never tried one. But I bet they are very, very heavy.

indyfabz

I commute and won't be getting an ebike. Defeats the purpose for me.

indyfabz

Have you checked the applicable rules/regs? A few weeks ago I was cycling on an M.U.P. run by the PA state park system. Several signs reading "NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES." Saw two people with e-assist bikes and got curious. Found out that the PA state parks allow ebike use wherever regular bike use is allowed. In other words, they don't consider an ebike (as defined in the rules) as a "motorized vehicle."

prairiepedaler

I'd use one if I wanted to arrive dry in a suit someplace. I am more keen on pedelecs or some configuration thereof though.

wphamilton

Well I'll play straight-man to this. As someone who does ride to & from every day, and does average about 18 on the home leg, I'd say no I would not have an E-bike.

Allez3

Troul 

Yea I've inquired.

Troul 

If i didn't have property & such to upkeep, a career requiring of me to travel far for work activities, i might see an e bike doable. Currently it is not the case.

Caliper

For me, the purpose of riding to work would be so that I could average 18, without a motor. But I have no interest in ebikes anyways. My commute would be about 35 miles, across dirt roads, so ebikes would be unquestionably legal but the only purpose to ride would be for fitness since my commute would take about 4x the time by bike.

Kapusta

sdmc530

sirkaos

I would vote no to an E-bike for me. Just seems wrong.
On Fridays, I ride down to take the Metro link train down to an airport I work at, the bike car (one car is dedicated for bikes and is marked as such on the outside -very cool!) When I get on the train on the return trip back home (originates in downtown Los Angeles) the car is usually filled with E-Bikes. I just figure if it cuts down on cars on the freeways, it is a good thing...

Gresp15C

No e-bike for me. I ride to work by choice, and the effort is part of the enjoyment.

wipekitty

Yeah, same here.

That said, I know one person (yep, exactly one) who often commutes with an ebike and uses it for hauling kids and such. I could see the pedal assist versions being nice for some people with commutes that are longer than they're comfortable with, I'm just not one of them.

Canker

As somebody that lives only 3 miles from work and drives the answer is yes. I work 12am to 8am and my trip to work and back is one of those up hill both ways deals. Riding to work isn't too bad actually, it isn't super hot out at that time of night but in the morning I just want to go home and go to bed and my home trip is even more hill. The real question though is it worth spending the money for a bike I'd just ride 6 miles a day back and forth to work and the answer there is NO. I'm just going to replace my current car with a chevy volt and keep my regular bikes.

MikeyMK

Oh really. Maybe in your neck of the woods..? But I doubt it. It'll be like here.

Here, an e-bike is classed as a bicycle in every legal way, shape and form, and can be used in every way any bicycle can, as long as it conforms to the legal standard.

Pedal assist
250w
15.5mph (I believe it's 20mph over in the States)

Your theory about 'electric windings' has nothing to do with the law because an e-bike is not a self-propelled vehicle and therefore not legally categorised as a motorised vehicle.

MikeyMK

E-bikewith regen are far safer and more sociable than manual bikes.

It's not acceptable to be doing more than 20mph on an MUP. The cyclists I see riding too fast are all on manual bikes - not only does my e-bike stop me struggling on steep hills and sweating in my work clothes, it also slows me down.

When I ride downhill, the charging puts resistance on the bike and keeps me at the same sociable speed I went up it.
Also, I don't mind stopping and slowing for people because I can just pull away again with little effort, so I don't weave about trying to maintain my velocity.

As a genuine hybrid vehicle, and the most efficient one on earth (infinite range as a result of pedal-charging), and as a bike that is able to run at reduced top speeds whilst maintaining the same average speed, the e-bike makes a manual bike look like a dinosaur.

blakcloud

Right now I wouldn't use a pedelec bike but that doesn't mean I won't in the future. As I get older, my mind and body don't seem to be aging at the same rate, so I won't rule out using this style of bike.

howardv

I can see e-bikes having a place for people who are willing to give up driving, but haven't done so because a regular bicycle doesn't fit their lifestyle. People who don't want to go to work sweaty or they may have to conquer some hills, etc. No reason why you can't use max power to get to work and not sweat, and then use a low power setting for coming home so you also get a good workout!

Personally, I work from home, so this is not an issue. But I bicycle 90% of the time everywhere. I recently added an e-bike to my collection because there are times I don't want to sweat. Riding to restaurants to meet friends, going to the doctor/dentist, going for a haircut, and anywhere else I don't want to arrive sweaty. I've been really impressed with the e-bike. You can get as much as little of a workout that you want. That's why it has different settings. I was able to discover new canyon roads that I hadn't ventured before due to distance and climb. I was so impressed that I bought a 2nd e-mountain bike. I now ride all my bikes. I enjoy them all! My current inventory:

I support e-bikes for two main reasons: Get people out of their cars, and second, adding to the number of cyclists who need better road infrastructure.

Kovkov

CliffordK

A most intriguing conditional. However, I'm not convinced YOUR commuting will directly impact MY E-Bike ownership.