How do you see e-bikes?

[Vikki]

An interesting question. How do we see e-bikes and how do non-e-bike riders see them?

I've had the odd friendly jibe of 'That's cheating!'. Usually one of the Lycra brigade as they tear past me at a rate of knots that I can only dream about.

I've had one youth say to his mate 'Electric bike, bloody lazy bi***'. I felt like grabbing him by the throat and explaining knee and hip joint pain to him but figured I'd be wasting my breath and his (well, after I'd stopped choking the little scrote). Ok, not strictly true since I'm a pacifist by nature. However, most youngsters say 'Wow! Look at that cool bike! I won't one of those'.

So, I see an e-bike as a viable alternate form of transport that lets me use cycleways and cycle lanes without any need of licences or special training. It lets me get from a to b, door to door. I don't have to rely on public transport.

I can drive but choose not to. As laid back as I can be I got sick and tired of the traffic queues that get longer and longer as weeks go by. I do my journey in 35 minutes on my bike(50+ minutes on a regular bike). If I take the train then the journey back takes 40 minutes. 25 minute walk to the station from work, 5 minute wait (if I'm lucky and there's no delays), 7 minute journey than a short walk home. By car? Anything from 25 minutes to 45 minutes. I like my bike. It is a transportation device in its own right. Without an electric I could not have spent the last 2 and a half years riding to work and back in all weathers.

Best regards.

Vikki.

 

[flecc]

I see them as enabling more cycling by a wider range of people.

As for how others see them, it's almost all been positive, the only direct accusation of cheating coming from two local boys of around 7 to 9 years old with their mother at a bus stop yelling out "cheat" with cheeky grins as I passed. Apparently riding on a bus isn't cheating.

Otherwise it's a story of intrigued, interested and admiring adults asking questions about them, but the top fans are the 12 to 15 year old boys who beg to have a go and thoroughly enjoy riding them.

An associated group of fans are the little'uns of around 6 to 10 years old who grab rides in my large trailer whenever they can, apparently far more exciting than riding in their parents boring cars. I've had groups of up to six tiddlers in it thoroughly enjoying the experience.

Regarding the yobs who yell in derision at any old person on a bike, that's greatly reduced since going electric, which I put down to the greater speeds and me having to put in less effort. A more cool image possibly?

There are many cycle sport types in training in my area, including some professional riders, a number I've spoken with and they have never been negative about my bikes. I remember one desperately trying to catch me on a very long fast climb, and when I stopped at the top, he stopped alongside and grinned when he saw it was electric, explaining he'd been chasing me to find out what I'd had for breakfast.
.

 

[dazzie]

I really don't get the cheating thing - so a car / motorcycle / bus / train isn't? *boggle*

 

[Vikki]

Hi, Dazzie. I must admit to being guilty of digressing in my own post there, hehehehe.

 

[Barnowl]

Well I'm an even bigger "cheat". I have the Cytronex with the thermos flask battery and the relatively discreet Tongxin nano motor in the front wheel. Honestly no one notices so I have to tell them.
How do I see them. I don't. Which is a pity because they're such great machines. How much better is it when you don't have to gasp your way up those hills or into a strong headwind in lowest gear standing on the pedals, or take a shower when you get to work (if you have one). It seems to me you get all the fun and pleasure of cycling with most of the nasties taken out.
I'm quite honest about it with people and to date no ones expressed any negative opinions.

 

[The Maestro]

with their mother at a bus stop yelling out "cheat"
.

The ex?

Sorry couldn't resist Although one side effect of riding an ebike is becoming irresistable to women as we all know!

 

[fishingpaul]

I see them as the difference between riding a bike and not riding a bike at all,i tried a normal bike after probably 15 years of not riding one,my local hills seemed to take an immense effort and i only used it the once in a year,since buying a decent electric bike i actually enjoy riding it,and often commute to work in better weather.

 

[flecc]

The ex?

Sorry couldn't resist Although one side effect of riding an ebike is becoming irresistable to women as we all know!

....

The attractiveness to women I can confirm. Trouble is it's the bike that attracts.
.

 

[eddieo]

We are trying it as an alternative to towing a small car on our motorhome.

also as we traded up to a bigger van have economised down to one car which my wife uses during the day and I use the bike for a likle shoping/library banking & fitness (weather permitting)

but its enjoyable and environmentally satisfying as long as my knee & hip holds out......

 

[Rad]

I see mine as just a vehicle for getting to work. That's all I've bought it for. I've had a few that's cheating from mates. But all but one of those are fat lazy munters who drive their cars to the corner shop!


I do wonder though, if I'm putting in more effort than I need to when hill climbing? I certainly feel like I've been for a ride when I get to work, and I'm not sure where this myth of 'no sweat' comes from? Admittedly I'm not the wheezing wreck standing in a puddle of the stuff that I used to be when commuting on my old beastie, but there's certainly evidence of perspiration.

 

[Hooligooner]

Recently had a whole load of abuse from a couple of BMX urchins outside a bike shop. They though I was lazy and may have well just bought a motorbike. Not sure how burning petrol might help, or how just coming back from a 17mile ride on a lead acid battery and still having all my battery lights lit makes me lazy, but I do know something...

...That bike shop lost a customer that day.

So if the owner of Cycle Care in High Wycombe is reading this, unlucky!

 

[WALKERMAN]

I see my Pro Connect as a an attractive bike compared to my Giant Lafree Twist ST which looks like an 'old man's bike'
I have had loads of admiring glances from youngsters (at the bike, not me)
Last week my son got a motor bike and posted a picture on Facebook for all his friends to see. I decided to have a bit of fun and posted a picture of my ProConnect stating all of the virtues of ebikes such as no tax, running costs, etc.
To my surprise one of his friends has shown great interest in it and has contacted me for more information and is keen to get one

 

[flecc]

I do wonder though, if I'm putting in more effort than I need to when hill climbing? I certainly feel like I've been for a ride when I get to work, and I'm not sure where this myth of 'no sweat' comes from? Admittedly I'm not the wheezing wreck standing in a puddle of the stuff that I used to be when commuting on my old beastie, but there's certainly evidence of perspiration.

They aren't sweat free in hilly areas, though making life much easier. Legal hub-motor bikes on steep hills need high rider inputs to make the climbs, and though the Panasonic motored bikes are more suited to the really steep stuff, they still demand 43% or 50% of the effort from the rider. Factor in that the bike is at least double the weight of the equivalent unpowered one, and that's more like 60% to 70% of the effort a normal bike would need,

So they don't guarantee an easy life on the steep stuff. Only a drive through the gears motor without software restriction can do that, something like the Cyclone motor.
.

 

[Vikki]

When I cycled a regular bike for a few weeks before getting my electric I would arrive at work or home absolutely dripping (glowing just doesn't enter the equation here). People cycling behind would mutter "Looks like I just missed the rain."

I don't want to ride a regular cycle.
I don't want to buy another car.
I don't want to take 50+ minutes getting to work or home.
I don't want to sweat to the point I look like a prune when I get home or to work.
I don't want to keep Evian in business on my own.
I don't want to pop leg fuses battling headwinds.
I don't want to bust an artery in maintaining a decent speed.
I don't want my knee screaming at me like I'd just dipped it in hot lead.

I WANT MY E-BIKEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Because? It gets rid of all the above.

E-bikes put me in control rather than public transport bosses.



Quick Mexican wave for e-bikes \o\ |o| /o/ |o| \o\ |o|

Oh, I should fess-up to not having any hills on my way to work.

Best regards.

Vikki.

 

[keithhazel]

When I cycled a regular bike for a few weeks before getting my electric I would arrive at work or home absolutely dripping (glowing just doesn't enter the equation here). People cycling behind would mutter "Looks like I just missed the rain."

I don't want to ride a regular cycle.
I don't want to buy another car.
I don't want to take 50+ minutes getting to work or home.
I don't want to sweat to the point I look like a prune when I get home or to work.
I don't want to keep Evian in business on my own.
I don't want to pop leg fuses battling headwinds.
I don't want to bust an artery in maintaining a decent speed.
I don't want my knee screaming at me like I'd just dipped it in hot lead.

I WANT MY E-BIKEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Because? It gets rid of all the above.

E-bikes put me in control rather than public transport bosses.



Quick Mexican wave for e-bikes \o\ |o| /o/ |o| \o\ |o|

Oh, I should fess-up to not having any hills on my way to work.

Best regards.

Vikki.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

nice one Vikki.....

 

[fishingpaul]

I see mine as just a vehicle for getting to work. That's all I've bought it for. I've had a few that's cheating from mates. But all but one of those are fat lazy munters who drive their cars to the corner shop!


I do wonder though, if I'm putting in more effort than I need to when hill climbing? I certainly feel like I've been for a ride when I get to work, and I'm not sure where this myth of 'no sweat' comes from? Admittedly I'm not the wheezing wreck standing in a puddle of the stuff that I used to be when commuting on my old beastie, but there's certainly evidence of perspiration.

I also often perspire from putting too much effort in on hills,i think it is possible to let the bike do most of the work,but i nearly always put in maximum effort on hills to help the bike out,instead of allowing the bike to help me out,which it is capable of.

 

[Footie]

I see my electric bike first and foremost as a refreshing form of exercise that I would other wise not have or do.

Reasons why I have an electric bike:
I walk about 7 miles a day in my job as a School Caretaker, so I hate walking.
I can’t run far as I have shot knees (too much rugby in my youth).
In 2004 I suffered 3 massive heart attacks over a twelve hour period and nearly died.
My heart drugs make me tired and lethargic all the time, so I have to kick myself in the ass at lot (the wife is eager to help on this too).
My drugs also stop my heart from racing, which means I can’t exert myself (I go light head and pass out if I do).
For 6 months of the year I take my campervan off the road and my electric bike is my only form of transport (unless I can pinch the wife’s car).
I drink a glass of red wine every day (doctors orders )
Oh, did I mention I’m only 45
.

 

[Vikki]

Holy cow, Footie! You've been through the mill a bit haven't you! Keep well.

I'm getting more exercise with Bikey than I did with Old Faithful since Bikey encourages a little sprint every now and then.

Talking of a sprint. I was dawdling along the A27 cycleway (it's only near to, it's separate and off highway), ciggy in one hand, Bikey in the other, when I started to realise I was creeping up on one of the lycra brigade. Must only have been by 0.5mph. I finished my ciggy and was faced with 'do I slow down a little and hang back' or 'do I overtake and let the operation take 5 minutes'. A dilemma, until I realised I had the - dun-dun-dun-dahhhh 'Green Button'. Hit that puppy and started pumping the pedals (gently you understand) and tore past the guy at 19mph. Kept going until my thighs threatened to leap up and throttle me if I didn't desist. Knocked Bikey back down to normal, got up a long gentle incline and then - let Bikey take it for a few minutes while I dragged air in like a vaccuum cleaner, blew it out like a whale and let the white heat from my thighs radiate out to warm the bunnies (hmmm, that sounded rude, I obviously mean the little brown fluffy critters with the big ears). That was ok until one of the beggars ran alongside me and whipped out a toasting fork and some marshmallows.

I swear I saw a look of astonishment on the guys face as I passed him. Oh, he wasn't on a road bike, more a slim ATB. Wisper kicks butt (and helps bunnies get their treats).

Best regards.

Vikki.

 

[essexman]

I see mine as an enabling piece of transport and handy leisure tool for short haul rides in the hiilly area we live. We have touring bikes for when we want to go 'cycling' ie long leisure rides.

Others ie my peers seem very interested. Folks on the train are very interested, very few of them ask me about it and when they do they are usually very positive. Non cyclists can recognise how damn practical the Agattu looks.

I get unspoken critical looks from cyclists and in CTCs case outright exclusion! Which i find very very strange from CTC although i understand where it comes from. A summer cyclist work colleague is the only person i;ve discussed it with and the converstaion went.
"How did you get here so fast."
"I have twice the horsepower you do"
...expalnation of Agattu
"Interesting, but the only reason i cycle is to exercise, so its no use to me"
Valid criticism and definetly my biggest problem with the Agattu.

Kids give me less stick (non so far in fact) on this than they do about my folder. Its not a good comparison though, because whats different are my clothes not my bike. I wear my work clothes (trousers, shoes, smart winter coat, leather gloves etc) on my agattu and cycling clothes (lycra et al) on other bikes.

I'm a bit gutted other cyclists dont criticise me as i have my pithy replies all ready!

 

[essexman]

I see mine as just a vehicle for getting to work. That's all I've bought it for. I've had a few that's cheating from mates. But all but one of those are fat lazy munters who drive their cars to the corner shop!


I do wonder though, if I'm putting in more effort than I need to when hill climbing? I certainly feel like I've been for a ride when I get to work, and I'm not sure where this myth of 'no sweat' comes from? Admittedly I'm not the wheezing wreck standing in a puddle of the stuff that I used to be when commuting on my old beastie, but there's certainly evidence of perspiration.

I have panasonic drive and steep but short hills. By good use of speed, gears, power and appropriate clothing i can avoid sweating in temps below 25 degrees celsius. When it gets too hot or humid, its harder. I'm a real sweater though. I get sweaty sat still in quite low temps, so its not like i'm an exception. Maybe different in a mountainous area, but having said that I grew up cycling in northumberland and i loved a long gentle climb. I'd design my rides around them! I wonder where the sweatiest place in the UK is to cycle? Its got to be cornwall, warm, humid and up and built like a rollercoaster.