Why don't people want to pedal anymore?
09-06-22, 08:06 PM
#77
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,458
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4330 Post(s)
Liked 3,954 Times
in
2,643 Posts
Just to be clear an e-bike is a bicycle and bicycles must be pedaled in this case to get assistance. You might be confused and conflating the e-mopeds sometimes sold as bikes simply because they look like a bike usually with crap bicycle parts and throttles which mean you don't need to pedal and are in some cases banned in a lot of places.
Let's be careful not to conflate e-bikes which require pedaling with BSOs with throttles (in this case not just calling all of them wallymart quality but just using it as the literal definition of an object shaped like a bike)
In terms of multi use pedestrian paths yes e-scooters, mopeds and other throttle based motor devices don't belong there but we must also recognize that bikes would be the SUV on that path since we are the biggest and fastest vehicle so it is important we share the path as well. If it is a dedicated bike path then have fun but on the MUP we should share the path.
In terms of e-bikes it is not just for certain people anymore and those who are still against them are stuck in the past and it is time to move forward. You don't have to own one or love them but try one and tell me you didn't have even just a little bit of fun. I use mine nearly daily to commute and get groceries and run other errands and keep out of cars and buses and such. It has got me riding a lot more and if people don't think that is a net good, that is a problem that needs to be addressed across the board. Bikes are great and if people are able to ride them more and pedal easier or go further or whatever that is always excellent. Let's get more butts on saddles and pedaling.
Let's be careful not to conflate e-bikes which require pedaling with BSOs with throttles (in this case not just calling all of them wallymart quality but just using it as the literal definition of an object shaped like a bike)
In terms of multi use pedestrian paths yes e-scooters, mopeds and other throttle based motor devices don't belong there but we must also recognize that bikes would be the SUV on that path since we are the biggest and fastest vehicle so it is important we share the path as well. If it is a dedicated bike path then have fun but on the MUP we should share the path.
In terms of e-bikes it is not just for certain people anymore and those who are still against them are stuck in the past and it is time to move forward. You don't have to own one or love them but try one and tell me you didn't have even just a little bit of fun. I use mine nearly daily to commute and get groceries and run other errands and keep out of cars and buses and such. It has got me riding a lot more and if people don't think that is a net good, that is a problem that needs to be addressed across the board. Bikes are great and if people are able to ride them more and pedal easier or go further or whatever that is always excellent. Let's get more butts on saddles and pedaling.
Likes For veganbikes:
09-06-22, 08:16 PM
#78
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,346
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 680 Post(s)
Liked 947 Times
in
554 Posts
yep thats where we use it most. we can do short 20% grades and a few blocks of 18% most of our hills are short but can be steep. we have climbed for over a hour steady before.
09-06-22, 08:28 PM
#79
Senior Member
We don't use the same examples of people driving to bike trails to ride their bikes as an overall criticism of bike riding on the road for transportation.
09-06-22, 08:34 PM
#80
Happy With My Bikes
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,176
Bikes: Hi-Ten bike boomers, a Trek Domane and some projects
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 876 Post(s)
Liked 2,299 Times
in
1,111 Posts
We sure find a lot of ways to complain about what other people ride.
__________________
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
Likes For Chuck M:
09-06-22, 09:21 PM
#82
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,350
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,942 Times
in
1,905 Posts
In a lot of states you can get a license to ride up to a 250cc motorcycle at age 14 that will hit 100mph
Putting a suggested age of 21+ on an e-bike is akin to ATV manufacturers putting "Must be 16 or older to operate" stickers on their goods. You do what you can to limit your liability exposure as a manufacturer, but people are gonna be people
Putting a suggested age of 21+ on an e-bike is akin to ATV manufacturers putting "Must be 16 or older to operate" stickers on their goods. You do what you can to limit your liability exposure as a manufacturer, but people are gonna be people
__________________
-Oh Hey!
-Oh Hey!
09-06-22, 09:51 PM
#84
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Australia
Posts: 821
Bikes: 2002 Trek 5200 (US POSTAL), 2020 Canyon Aeroad SL
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 313 Post(s)
Liked 679 Times
in
327 Posts
Likes For tempocyclist:
09-06-22, 10:57 PM
#85
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 333
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 195 Post(s)
Liked 234 Times
in
141 Posts
I did just get a 15lb anchor system for my sups set up this weekend. It's pretty awesome. I pull in trophy bass while I get a tan; way more satisfying than cruising around.
09-07-22, 04:56 AM
#86
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,493
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2740 Post(s)
Liked 3,385 Times
in
2,048 Posts
I'd bet a lot of these are rentals driven by tourists sort of like in Door county. People who wouldn't normally even ride a bike
09-07-22, 06:17 AM
#87
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,480
Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE
Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7648 Post(s)
Liked 3,465 Times
in
1,831 Posts
The good part here is that if the people are exceptional unskilled and have no balance or coordination, they will crash a bunch and give up ... or they will learn to ride a bike (it is pretty simple after all) but that is less entertaining to watch..
09-07-22, 08:16 AM
#88
Senior Member
Sometimes I enjoy seeing people on e bikes because I think gee I am doing this ride all on my own power. My biggest gripe on the trail is when a group of people are walking on the trail and spanning the whole width. They know we are coming but still don't want to move.
09-07-22, 08:21 AM
#89
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,618
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2973 Post(s)
Liked 1,178 Times
in
769 Posts
Correct.
That could be. There are three places in the general area that rent bikes.
I'd bet a lot of these are rentals driven by tourists sort of like in Door county. People who wouldn't normally even ride a bike
09-07-22, 08:51 AM
#90
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,545
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5222 Post(s)
Liked 3,576 Times
in
2,340 Posts
I get the commuting aspect of it and I've thought about one for myself so I don't come into the office all sweaty. The recreational aspect I can kind of see, but usually most of us get into cycling for the physical fitness aspect of it. Failing to see why young folks want an e-bike when they are capable of pedaling.
Likes For Yan:
09-07-22, 09:49 AM
#92
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,800
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1943 Post(s)
Liked 2,163 Times
in
1,322 Posts
You can call them what you want to call them, they aren’t pedaling to keep the bike moving. Usually they ride on sidewalks. Sometimes they’ll turn the pedals a few times and stop pedaling, and sometimes they just start off with power from a complete stop.
I would think the vast majority of e-bikes are throttle type that don’t require any pedaling to get an assist. Too much speed for too little movement.
I do think there is a natural tendency to turn bike pedals and then throttle the bike when someone is tired of pedaling or wants to go faster.
John
Likes For 70sSanO:
09-07-22, 10:03 AM
#93
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,618
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2973 Post(s)
Liked 1,178 Times
in
769 Posts
America has an obesity problem.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC300778/
https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blo...-health-crisis
Likes For prj71:
09-07-22, 10:11 AM
#94
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SW Fl.
Posts: 5,612
Bikes: Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1065 Post(s)
Liked 779 Times
in
502 Posts
A different kind of entertainment = watching newbies backing up then launching and retrieving their newly purchased boat
Likes For OldTryGuy:
09-07-22, 11:07 AM
#95
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,983
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26381 Post(s)
Liked 10,357 Times
in
7,194 Posts
Strangely enough, this just popped up in the news:
America Has An E-Bike Problem That Can’t Be Solved With More E-Bikes
E-bikes do have a big problem in the U.S., one that I have been increasingly concerned about as someone who very much advocates for e-bikes and wants to see them take off in this country. It is related to Bogost’s point that e-bikes don’t quite fit with any American identity, but in a much more—literally—concrete way. E-bikes don’t belong anywhere in particular on American infrastructure, which makes them both more frustrating, more dangerous, and more annoying than they otherwise could be. And it’s unnecessarily generating friction between traditional cyclists and e-bikers despite their obvious shared interests in repurposing street space from automobiles.
...
I am not the only cyclist getting increasingly frustrated with electric-things in NYC. There has been a noteduptick in the number of posts on the NYCbike sub****** on the issue over the last year or so. I have personally come within inches of being cleaned out by a rider on electric-conveyance of nearly all varieties within the last six months, in varying situations and circumstances. In fact, on my particular routes, electric devices have become a greater safety hazard than cars; I am still more likely to die from being hit by a car, but I have more regular close calls and potential injuries from conflicts with electric devices. To this end, I agree with the “middle aged biking lady” with 15 years of riding experience in NYC who said “it’s never been this bad.”
...
I am not the only cyclist getting increasingly frustrated with electric-things in NYC. There has been a noteduptick in the number of posts on the NYCbike sub****** on the issue over the last year or so. I have personally come within inches of being cleaned out by a rider on electric-conveyance of nearly all varieties within the last six months, in varying situations and circumstances. In fact, on my particular routes, electric devices have become a greater safety hazard than cars; I am still more likely to die from being hit by a car, but I have more regular close calls and potential injuries from conflicts with electric devices. To this end, I agree with the “middle aged biking lady” with 15 years of riding experience in NYC who said “it’s never been this bad.”
__________________
09-07-22, 11:15 AM
#96
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,983
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26381 Post(s)
Liked 10,357 Times
in
7,194 Posts
This is a little off topic, but also interesting with regard to e-bikes:
__________________
09-07-22, 11:32 AM
#97
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Posts: 5,393
Bikes: Too many to list
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1765 Post(s)
Liked 1,123 Times
in
746 Posts
In the hypothetical situation of
If a motorist has a "3 cocktail lunch" and is driving home and is sideswiped by a car in an intersection who ran a red light. Is it our guys' fault because he was tipsy? I mean, he should have been paying more attention although his light was green
That analogy is a bit of a stretch to be sure, but i was just trying to illustrate the fact that ignoring a rule, law or guideline doesnt make you guilty across the board of every contingency
09-07-22, 12:05 PM
#98
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: NJ
Posts: 625
Bikes: 68 SS, 72 Fuji Finest, 72 PX-10, 77 Pana Pro 7000, 84 Pinnarello Treviso NR, 84 Trek 520, 88 Project KOM, 90 Trek 750, 91 Trek 930
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 184 Post(s)
Liked 204 Times
in
142 Posts
as Frank Zappa sang:
I might be movin' to Montana soon
Just to raise me up a crop of Dental Floss
Raisin' it up
Waxen it down
In a little white box I can sell uptown
By myself I wouldn't Have no boss,
But I'd be raisin' my lonely Dental Floss
https://www.letssingit.com/frank-zap...tycoon-z1bfjwc
LetsSingIt - The Internet Lyrics Database
I might be movin' to Montana soon
Just to raise me up a crop of Dental Floss
Raisin' it up
Waxen it down
In a little white box I can sell uptown
By myself I wouldn't Have no boss,
But I'd be raisin' my lonely Dental Floss
https://www.letssingit.com/frank-zap...tycoon-z1bfjwc
LetsSingIt - The Internet Lyrics Database
__________________
Last new bike 1991
Last new bike 1991
Likes For dmark:
09-07-22, 12:11 PM
#99
Senior Member
It's not that e-bikes go so fast that bothers me, instead it's the way they tend to chase other bikes, knock them down and steal their lunch money.
