Guardian does ebikes

[CheKmx]

Article in the guardians bike blog on ebikes

Pedal or throttle? The lure of the electric bike | Peter Walker | Environment | guardian.co.uk

 

[eddieo]

I liked the comment re A2B

"I did try pedalling this without the motor, and at around 37kg it felt like trying to cycle a Harley Davidson."

 

[tangent]

Still an awful lot of ignorance and prejudice in the comment section. A bit depressing really.

 

[enceladus]

Ebikes are still an unknown quantity in general. I've only seen one in the flesh (and that was in halfords!), and I cycle every day and see a fair view cyclists. If it wasn't for this forum I would know diddly squat about them too and probably be expressing some ignorance! Its only when you fall into the niche market you realise the value of these machines.

 

[carpetbagger]

if it wasn't for ebikes there would be a lot of people who wouldn't consider a conventional bike because of hills,levels of fitness and ill health. An ebike is a way to get round these problems and in some some cases return to a coventional bike.It is also getting people out of cars for shorter journeys which has to be good

 

[Alex728]

Still an awful lot of ignorance and prejudice in the comment section. A bit depressing really.

normal for the Grauniad's comment section though...

lots of people are also whinging that the Chinese scooters aren't allowed here, but would they tolerate a Chinese level of serious/fatal RTC's (which is what is happening in some areas?) Also there isn't the equivalent of the NHS in China yet so the public purse doesn't feel the wider impact of collisions as much as in a European nation..

 

[Ultra Motor]

Education appears to be the big issue here.

Cyclists don't understand why anyone would want an e-bike unless they were infirm or injured. This is a job for BEBA to work with manufacturers/retailers to convey the message.

Another thing people don't appreciate is the cost. Technology is so cheap now, for what you are getting. But that comes at a cost, sat on the train this morning reading the Times. There is a factory in Shenzen, China where workers have been committing suicide due to the 'military' style regiment of the production line. All for the benefit of us westerners who like cheap ipods etc. See: Suicide attempt prompts panic at Foxconn - Times Online

I am straying off subject now....but this has really made an impact on me.