Do the serious riders look down on riders with e-bikes?

[Judd]

@Steve O 158705 wrote:

Evidently we’re not good at that. We’ve been trying to shun Judd for months, and he keeps showing up anyway.

:p

This is mostly a lie. I am well respected in the biking community for my Tom Selleck like good looks.

[Birru]

It’s uncanny, Lumberjack, P.I.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]14612[/ATTACH]

[Crickey7]

Our doctrinal disputes are far more arcane than electric powered or not. Virtual battles have been waged over proper light usage, the abominations that are known as fenders and tire choices.

[dkel]

@Crickey7 158713 wrote:

the abominations that are known as fenders

Them’s fightin’ words.

[anomad]

That’s why I have fender extenders. The extra fenders make me cool to one side of the argument and the double fender negative to the other side cancels itself out. So not only am I cool in both groups, I’m legendary in my mind.

@dkel 158718 wrote:

Them’s fightin’ words.

[Bob James]

Not that it necessary or expected, but last week some nice guy on an e-bike passed me and then let me draft off him for about 5 miles. Sure made my commute a lot faster. I agree with the comments it doesn’t matter if it’s and e-bike if your courteous and safe. With much power comes much responsibility. Incidentally, the guy above was pedaling right along with me the whole way.

Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

[Dewey]

[Cross posted from Commuters forum]

I do sometimes feel e-bikes are the Rodney Dangerfield of the cycling community when it comes to safety legislation, take for instance the recent welcome change to DC Code repealing contributory negligence concerning fault in bicycle-car collisions and fairness to crash victims – there was no mention of “motorized bicycles” as an exception to the motor vehicle definition so that must mean e-bike cyclists remain subject to the unfair contributory negligence provision that is exploited by drivers lawyers. Then there is the DC DoT interpreting in the strictest sense the DC municipal regulation prohibiting motorized bicycles from “bike routes” to mean e-bikes should not use protected bike lanes – why shouldn’t e-bikes be allowed in DC protected bike lanes when we are allowed to ride on PBL’s (and on sidewalks) in Virginia and Maryland? The Park Service is not listening to WABA advocating for on-street bike lanes on Memorial Bridge when at present there is no safe way for cyclists to cross the Potomac bridges except on sidewalks/paths – but even if the cash were found to build bike lanes on Memorial bridge DCMR 18-1201.18 would still not allow e-bike cyclists to use them! These things need to change to provide safety for e-bike cyclists on the roads if the local jurisdictions want to encourage us off the sidewalks/paths/PBL’s.

[Kitty]

DHS1963, your message reminded me of the time I took my husband to Japan (he’d never been, and I’ve studied there twice and been back and forth for work). He was very worried about making a cultural faux pas and being a “bad foreigner,” to the extent that a few days in I had to sit him down and explain to him that the fact he was even concerned about being a “bad foreigner” and making such an effort put him far ahead of the actual “bad foreigners.” Same thing here! The fact you are concerned and considerate enough to take to the local community forums to explain and ask about this means you could be the model e-bike citizen! 😮

Besides, as others have noted, I don’t think you’ll be racing along the trails at 30 mph, no announce/signal passing ON THE RIGHT, with headphones in, looking like you’re 16 years old and healthy. That tends to cause opprobrium for me. (Though the last part I feel bad about making a snap judgement and start thinking why they might be on an e-bike… such as a long distance to go… injury recovery etc.)

@Crickey7 158713 wrote:

Our doctrinal disputes are far more arcane than electric powered or not. Virtual battles have been waged over proper light usage, the abominations that are known as fenders and tire choices.

Fenders save rides!

[baiskeli]

@dhs1963 158673 wrote:

Thank you. These replies are helpful. I was worried of being shunned. My other reason for wanting to ride is I need to get in better shape…I currently have a collection of 4 cardiac stents. I am in my mid 50’s, and because of genetics, I have to worry about stressing my heart.

If you really need to, get a t-shirt that says “I have 4 cardiac stents, deal with my e-bike, bitches.” Or something to that effect. Because with those it’s great that you are on a bike at all.

[baiskeli]

@Bob James 159369 wrote:

Not that it necessary or expected, but last week some nice guy on an e-bike passed me and then let me draft off him for about 5 miles. Sure made my commute a lot faster. I agree with the comments it doesn’t matter if it’s and e-bike if your courteous and safe. With much power comes much responsibility. Incidentally, the guy above was pedaling right along with me the whole way.

Okay, we won’t shun e-bikes, but can we shun those who draft behind them?

[Tania]

@baiskeli 159525 wrote:

If you really need to, get a t-shirt that says “I have 4 cardiac stents, deal with my e-bike, bitches.” Or something to that effect. Because with those it’s great that you are on a bike at all.

I love this.

[Harry Meatmotor]

@baiskeli 159526 wrote:

Okay, we won’t shun e-bikes, but can we shun those who draft behind them?

Dude, roadies are inherently lazy!

[dhs1963]

@baiskeli 159525 wrote:

If you really need to, get a t-shirt that says “I have 4 cardiac stents, deal with my e-bike, bitches.” Or something to that effect. Because with those it’s great that you are on a bike at all.

I take delivery of the bike on Tuesday if all went well with medical tests (will not know until Tuesday). I put a deposit down on the bike. I am excited.

[dbb]

Sweet.

Have you registered for Bike to Work Day? A new bike deserves such an activity.

http://www.biketoworkmetrodc.org/

[Brett L.]

@dhs1963 159651 wrote:

I take delivery of the bike on Tuesday if all went well with medical tests (will not know until Tuesday). I put a deposit down on the bike. I am excited.

@dbb 159654 wrote:

Sweet.

Have you registered for Bike to Work Day? A new bike deserves such an activity.

http://www.biketoworkmetrodc.org/

The problem (from a certain point of view) with making an announcement like that on these forums – no one here cares whether you have a normal bike, recumbent bike, e-bike, hand-powered bike, what have you. The forum only cares that you’re out riding, staying safe, and being safe and courteous to other riders. And here is where the problem comes in – they’ll guilt you into riding more and more and MORE AND MORE!!!! It’s starting already.

[Author]

Posts