Are e-Bikes real bikes? Are they good or bad? Opinions?

[OakLeaf]

I'm not really thinking of the recklessness that characterized the moped craze of the '70s. I definitely remember all sorts of younger people riding them as though they had the power of motorcycles and the maneuverability of bicycles, when neither is true. But you're right, I don't see people treating e-bikes that way - it's a totally different demographic.

I'm thinking more about people who just have no idea how to ride a two-wheeled vehicle in traffic. As we all know, "conservative" is NOT a safe way to ride a bicycle.

[PamNY]

I'm thinking more about people who just have no idea how to ride a two-wheeled vehicle in traffic. As we all know, "conservative" is NOT a safe way to ride a bicycle.

By "conservative" I mean not traveling at excessive speed, not weaving between cars, not going the wrong way on one-way streets, etc.

[salsabike]

Seven years ago, or whenever it was, after a decade of fibromyalgia and inactivity, I started riding again by using an e-bike. They are not scooters. They're bikes. The motor kicks in when the sensor receives a certain amount of pressure denoting increased effort, like going up a hill. You still have to pedal and you still have to work, even when the assist kicks in. You ride them just like bikes and follow all the same rules. It helped me get back into shape to ride a bike-bike. Why would you have "serious concerns" about an e-bike rider's approach to safety?

[PamNY]

Salsabike, I have heard of several people doing exactly what you did, and it seems like such a good idea.

[Kiwi Stoker]

I DO have serious concerns about how e-bike riders ride.

The people that these are marketed to (and I know this because I did the marketing once) often haven't ridden a bike since they were a child.

They often still think they can ride a bike LIKE when they did AS a child (ie on the footpath).

Some older people also are concerned at traffic and how fast the cars are (cars were slower when they rode) so they stay on the footpath.

You are putting something that has the ability to go faster than the person would be able to ride ordinary on a footpath and they are pretty silent.

I am not saying ALL e-bike riders are like this, but unfortunately I have seen this happen.

And there isn't like a riding school you can send new cyclists to (well there's probably a few but not many) to make sure they know who to ride in a safe and confident manner on the roads. Most cycle clubs probably wouldn't cater for an e-bike rider as well.

A e-bike doesn't require a license like a motor scooter, so you don't even have to know any road rules before you can get out there and do things (yes, this apples to all bikes), but I just don't like that e-bikes are aimed at older people who have never ridden since childhood and that may not be able to ride in a safe and confident manner.

However the e-bike being used as a way to start being active in a safe and confident manner- that is a good thing Salsa bike.

[BikeDutchess]

The people that these are marketed to (and I know this because I did the marketing once) often haven't ridden a bike since they were a child.

My perspective may be different because I've been hearing about e-bikes from my dad, aunt, and uncle in Holland. My aunt and uncle have been riding bikes all their lives (I've been on several cycling vacations with them) but are now dealing with health issues that no longer allow them to ride as before. By getting e-Bikes, they can continue riding. And as someone pointed out earlier, the battery is a supplement & only assists when their own pedaling power slows down. It allows them to continue an activity that they've always enjoyed.

The e-Bike is one of the fastest growing product lines in the Dutch bicycle industry due to the aging of the population.

I realize that it's a very different cycling culture over there for sure, not just for e-Bikes but for cycling in general, but the experience does contribute to my perspective.