I didn't even read the latest 'Electric Bikes' post, so you'll have to excuse me if this is out of line. I'm sticking it under an old thread so as not to make a big deal out of it...
But just the subject line flies in the face of everything I used to like about what MMM used to write about (2011-2012), even if I thought he was being a little too extreme or using 'fuzzy math' to get his otherwise well-intentioned point across. If he is hoping people will start with an electric bike (for what, twice the price of a 'real bike') and then, well, voluntarily take all of the expensive stuff off and start peddling, then he is obviously smoking too much of the legalized weeds over there...
Please convince me I am wrong, but is there any reason to read this post? I have a perfectly good bike and would never recommend an electric bike to anyone if they are capable of being on a bike. Otherwise, I would recommend a scooter - an actual vehicle that can be used to haul nominal loads, accelerate reasonably, and better for the environment than the alternative. What has become of our beloved MMM? Is he trying to become 'mainstream' or sell stuff?
Sorry in advance for 'complainy-panting', I'll admit that I do like a bit of debate and genuinely want to know what people think of this latest post. Maybe I'll be convinced I missed something valuable, but right now I just feel 'turned off' by where the blog is going.
Forum still rocks!
Escape2020 - I may not convince you since you have such a hardline on this, but I do think you are wrong. For others out there who are less fixed on this I can offer you a bit of insight into electric bikes.
A little background, and response to Escape, I am capable of riding a bike AND have an electric bike. In fact I have ridden well over 100,000 miles by bike in my lifetime. Across many states, mountain bike, road bike, recumbent (100 miles in 4 hours 58 minutes and 20 seconds), and even a folder (bus-bike rides too). Everything you can think of, I have done it - and continue to do so.
So, I recently purchased and electric bike. It happens to be a cargo bike by Xtracycle with a Bionx kit on it. I absolutely love riding this bike! I have ridden it to work and back 13 of the last 15 days, where I might have ridden my touring bike twice during that time due to schedules and heat/humidity. That would have cost $65 in my auto and pumped out a lot of pollution. It cost me about $0.15 on the bike.
I've put over 500 miles on it in the past 3 weeks, carrying 80 pounds of salt home from the pool store, dropping off over a 100 pounds of donations, picking up the kids from school, dropping them at friends houses, etc. etc. etc. In fact my DW who usually picks the kids up in a 5,000 pound vehicle picked TWO kids up from school a few days ago using the electric bike!
Right now my eldest child is on it and across town doing lawn work. I rode it with trailer attached this morning - with my 70 pound dog in it.
And for those that think you cannot get exercise on one you will be surprised. Take the extreme of just using the motor (no peddling). That is more exercise than sitting on your butt in a car. I actually peddle the majority of the ride (it has pedal "assist") and get plenty of exercise. I have ridden 500 miles on it where I might have ridden the touring bike 50. That is some pretty good exercise!
So, I could go on, but take my word for it, an electric assist bike is awesome.
BTW - you recommend a scooter 2020. Have you ridden an electric bike or a scooter to provide such a recommendation? For those of you that take this recommendation remember that there are many places those are not allowed, including most urban trails and sidewalks - and you really cannot peddle them so you skip the exercise option.
I believe that this is a viable option for commuting and doing local errands. I start my auto and drive it about once a week now, where before I'd do that 5-7 days a week. I think they will catch on with many people who are healthy and would normally want to ride a bike, but for a lot of reasons end up driving. You cannot go anywhere on this bike and not get people asking you about it or studying it as they walk by when its parked (it is a long tail bike so it is a bit curious of course). Imagine if people replaced that 2 mile trip to pick up a Redbox or aspirin at the drug store? (I did this the other day and was back in half the time it would have taken in an auto!) We'd have a heck of a lot less pollution and carbon dioxide in the air.
Really though, these are awesome and should not be pushed aside because someone thinks they are "cheating" or don't stack up to a "real" bike. Are you kidding me! 50 miles vs. 500 - go for it!!
Lastly, you worry that MMM is becoming mainstream and selling their "stuff." The people that put together electric bikes are very small companies and bike shops that have very little margin of profit. They aren't what I would consider mainstream like maybe GM, or Apple. Besides, these electric motors do go on bicycles that are waaay better than the "alternative."
SOl - you get one paragraph added. The biking rate in most of our country is about .1%, with a few places at a few whole percentage points. I think we can do better than to say that if you don't bicycle like a real man or woman you might as well drive an SUV.
