Article: "Riding an Electric Bike is NOT Cheating. Here’s the Data to Prove It."

[Steve O]

@lordofthemark 132594 wrote:

What does cheating mean in the context of a commute?

On days when I see the cars all backed up on the GWMP or I-66, I feel like the cheater.

And it feels good.

[Crickey7]

I would have regarded the 15 mph tailwind this morning as “cheating” if it didn’t come with a promise of an equivalent handicap tonight.

[bobco85]

I find the article slightly amusing in that it tries to say that using electric assist in one’s commute is not cheating yet collects data that shows that electric assist, um, “assists” which falls somewhat against their argument. Mind you, this is on a pro-electric bicycle website, so bias also is involved.

I have 2 issues with the article.

First, while the article promotes that one can get exercise with an electric bicycle, it does not state that one gets less exercise when using the electric assist. Now, this should be obvious, but the way the data are presented could lead one to think that the exercise is equivalent (similar average heart rate, similar # of watts) when the important factor to both is time (to which the person says they “weren’t destroying [their] body with over training”).

Second, I think the article misses its own point. If the author wanted to say that electric bicycles can still provide a useful workout, they should have just stated that at the start. Instead, they focus on what comes down to bragging rights. Cheating would mean there’s some sort of gain of an unfair advantage during a competition which commuting is not.

But, if you want to figure out bragging rights in regards to commuting, here’s a handy unofficial chart (greater means has more bragging rights):

• longer distance > shorter distance (obviously)
• with the elements > in an enclosed box
• commuting method: kayaking/canoeing/hanggliding/etc. extremes > running > biking > walking > telecommuting > carpool > public transportation > driving > taxi
• biking: trailer/bakfiets with kids > trailer/bakfiets > unicycle > fixie > geared bike > some electric assist > only motor powered
• bike repairs: fashioning a permanent bike part from scratch/junk > MacGyvering a temporary solution to a broken part > helping a fellow cyclist with a repair > major repair > flat tire change > chain/brake/shifter adjustment > no issues whatsoever > mild complaining > whining
• weather conditions: measurement of one’s coworkers at the news that one commuted (measure how agape the mouthes are open, how wide the eyes get, and length of the gasp)

Given this chart, it should be clear to everyone that everyone who commuted today in the cold and windy weather on electric bikes have just about as much to brag about those who did not use electric assist when compared to the larger population.

[dasgeh]

@bobco85 132647 wrote:

[*]biking: trailer/bakfiets with kids > trailer/bakfiets > unicycle > fixie > geared bike > some electric assist > only motor powered

Hmmmm. I find myself at two differing points on this list. I broke the bragging rights

[bobco85]

@dasgeh 132651 wrote:

Hmmmm. I find myself at two differing points on this list. I broke the bragging rights

I’d say the utility trumps the “cheating”; maybe that’s why the forum is so split on whether your bike should be revered or reviled when it comes to riding on trails!

[cvcalhoun]

That’s the thing about e-bikes. They are expensive enough that people don’t buy them just to win at Freezing Saddles. Typically, they are using heavy bikes, carrying a lot of kids and/or stuff, negotiating big hills on a regular basis. So it all balances out.

[cvcalhoun]

@bobco85 132707 wrote:

I’d say the utility trumps the “cheating”; maybe that’s why the forum is so split on whether your bike should be revered or reviled when it comes to riding on trails!

That’s the thing about e-bikes. They are expensive enough that people don’t buy them just to win at Freezing Saddles. Typically, the people who own them are using heavy bikes, carrying a lot of kids and/or stuff, or negotiating big hills on a regular basis. Either that, or they are about 90 years old. So the comparison between a regular bike and an e-bike of the same weight going the same speed over the same distance is pretty much meaningless. For the vast majority of our e-bike riders, the utility trumps the “cheating.”

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