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The popularity of e-bikes isn’t slowing down

nytimes.com

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Re: The popularity of e-bikes isn’t slowing down

#171

Post by mrep »

notatoad wrote: post #87
notacoward wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> the short-term hell is simply more people experiencing what most cyclists are already used to. Did you miss the part where the cyclists are the ones inflicting that hell on others sometimes? Cyclists haven't been the only ones demanding better non-automotive infrastructure. I've supported the local path with both my dollars and the sweat of my brow, only to have freeloading cyclists tell me that they have priority…

again, this is exactly the sort of politics that hopefully will change as more people ride bikes. yes, there's some bad cyclists. but because there's few enough cyclists, people who aren't cyclists like to group us all together. when a driver or pedestrian is an asshole, you say the person was an asshole, because you understand that they don't represent all drivers or all pedestrians any more than you do. but when a…

In my experience, the percentage of cyclists that disregard the rules of the road are an order of magnitude higher than car drivers.

Re: The popularity of e-bikes isn’t slowing down

#173

Post by jdavis703 »

Johnny555 wrote: post #155
Spooky23 wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You have a point, but the Lance Armstrong wannabes make everyone miserable. In my area, they “took over” a popular bike trail and now kids and more casual people are pushed aside. It’s like dealing with serious lap swimmers.

If you think fast cycling "Lance Armstrong wannabes" are bad, wait until the trail is taken over by 30mph eBike riders that not only aren't experienced enough to ride safely at that speed, but they bolted on the eBike drive to a bike that was not intended for that speed.

Unless you’re on a major downhill, there’s no street legal e-bike doing 30 MPH.

Re: The popularity of e-bikes isn’t slowing down

#174

Post by R0b0t1 »

strombofulous wrote: post #42
monkmartinez wrote: post #11

I just built one with recycled laptop batteries... super fun to ride. It was a shit ton of work to do the batteries right, but I learned so much. Endless-Sphere is where my build thread is... My bike is 2004 Specialized mountain bike. Bought the motor from ebay and just bolted it on. The battery lives in a home sewn bag I made which I velcro strapped to the frame. I have gone about 35mph on it. Do not recommend super…

I've been thinking about doing the same thing but am worried it will explode on me. Are there any tips you have for starting out or mistakes to be sure to avoid? I was hoping to use this as a project to learn electricity with and it sounds like you did something similar.

There's usually no explosions, they burn vigorously. But before that they get too hot to hold. Cell management requires thermal cutoffs for this reason.

Re: The popularity of e-bikes isn’t slowing down

#175

Post by memco »

timbit42 wrote: post #89
zwieback wrote: post #26

I'm a year-round non-e-bike commuter in Oregon. I love e-bikes but until you can ride without getting soaked it'll be successful only part of the year in most of the US. We need something between the e-bike and golf-cart style EVs to fill the gap, some kind of sophisticated fairing or a 3 wheel format that isn't super dorky.

Have you looked at the Organic Transit ELF or Better Bikes PEBL?

Something with like these with lockable doors and some kind of integration for a child's car seat for would be nice!

Re: The popularity of e-bikes isn’t slowing down

#176

Post by bagacrap »

hyperpallium2 wrote: post #145

Fuelled by the smartphone battery revolution. Like hydrofoil surfboards [1], one-wheel skateboards [2], electric paragliders [3]... what next!? 1. https://youtube.com/watch?v=i9yCe6ibhzU 2. https://youtube.com/watch?v=XNqOU4jx62I 3. https://youtube.com/watch?v=BeayJZzaXjM

bike lights have gotten immensely better over the last decade too, mainly due to better battery energy density

Re: The popularity of e-bikes isn’t slowing down

#177

Post by jdavis703 »

analog31 wrote: post #137
Spooky23 wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You have a point, but the Lance Armstrong wannabes make everyone miserable. In my area, they “took over” a popular bike trail and now kids and more casual people are pushed aside. It’s like dealing with serious lap swimmers.

Time for a Critical Mass of casual cyclists. ;-)

I don’t know where you live, but in the SF Bay Area the SF Critical Mass and East Bay Bike Party are both pretty casual events… To the point they attract the odd skateboarder or roller skater.

Re: The popularity of e-bikes isn’t slowing down

#178

Post by Mengkudulangsat »

I'm sorry, but I absolutely hate e-bikes.

We in Asia have figured the urban transit riddle long ago: Motorbikes or the more sustainable option; electric scooters [1]. If we are going to share the road, might as well everyone becomes capable of reaching similar speeds. E-bikes necessitate a cyclist lane for no good reason.

[1] https://www.gogoro.com/

Re: The popularity of e-bikes isn’t slowing down

#179

Post by [deleted] »

bitexploder wrote: post #141
Spooky23 wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You have a point, but the Lance Armstrong wannabes make everyone miserable. In my area, they “took over” a popular bike trail and now kids and more casual people are pushed aside. It’s like dealing with serious lap swimmers.

This one time a guy did like 35mph on a road for like 2 miles. I was ready to be annoyed when I saw him turning and accelerating, but that’s the speed I usually do, so they just kept up. Guy hit 40 at a couple points and legit could have gotten a speeding ticket. However, in general, a lot of cyclists in my area are extra aggressive and it creates conflict and the general sentiment is one of annoyance at them hijacki…

[deleted]

Re: The popularity of e-bikes isn’t slowing down

#180

Post by gsinclair »

kevincrane wrote: post #18
paulgb wrote: post #4

The thing that excites me most about e-bikes is that they change the politics around cycling. Proponents of efforts to make roads safer for cyclists have always gotten pushback from people who think that cycling is a niche hobby of rich lycra-clad yuppies. With e-bikes becoming more common, I know a number of people who would not have touched a bike share but are using it as a replacement for Uber/Lyft rides. People…

> Proponents of efforts to make roads safer for cyclists have always gotten pushback from people who think that cycling is a niche hobby of rich lycra-clad yuppies. Which I think is misguided pushback btw (which I think you agree with based on the context). I see it as a chicken and egg thing. The roads are unsafe for bikers, so the only people who bike are those who are super dedicated to it. Then when people ask fo…

> Edit: to add on, bikes are like 1-2 orders of magnitude cheaper than cars too, both in upfront and ongoing costs also. It’s super unfortunate that it still gets the stereotype as a “rich white people” activity when it’s really so much more financially accessible than a car.

Here’s a theory: road cycling is more available to those who live reasonably close to work and have time to spare, and that is relatively rich people. Poorer people literally cannot afford not to have a car because they have to travel long distances to work, and their areas are not well served by public transport.

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