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

[dhs1963]

I used to bike often — in my 20’s, it was my primary means of transportation, and I enjoyed it. Unfortunately, medical issues have hindered my ability to bike — in particular, I can not work my heart too hard. But, I would like to be able to ride with my daughter — she is 15 and is loving it.

As such, I am thinking of buying an electric assist bike, one that requires pedaling, but reduces the effort (to a safe level for me). I would mostly ride on the W O & D (I live 1/4 th mile from it). I may also use it for commuting from Vienna to Arlington.

I am pretty sure this is legal (at least the store told me it is legal). FWIW, the bike I am considering is a Trek XM-700…I do not want a bike with a throttle — that is a motorcycle.

Note that I really do not care what people thing, but do care how people act. I do not plan on entering any competitions, so I will not be cheating…

Topic

[dhs1963]

I can deal with people encouraging me to ride. And yes, the bike does have fenders. Sorry, non-fender people.

Friday may be a bad day for biking to work, as I may be going to multiple offices. I will see out it (the day) breaks down. But, I will see y’all on the trails.

The best part of biking to work will be no longer being a slave to traffic. I commute from Vienna to Ballston. I would like to leave for work at 7:45 or so, but if I do, I do not get to work until about nine. And I have to stay to five, so I don’t get home until 6.

Instead, I leave at 6:15, and get to work 6:45, leaving a around 3.

With a bike, the commute — WO & D to the Custis Trail to N. Fairfax Dr. should be 30-35 minutes. Maybe 40. But never more.

That will be nice. And I will have gotten a light-moderate workout (certainly more than I do today).

[Judd]

@Brett L. 159657 wrote:

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.

Brett, I am disappointed that you’re spending so much time on the Internet when you could be out riding.

[Dewey]

Thank you to the two cyclists who complimented me this morning on my goggles and crank motor. Reading to my toddler last night I reassured her like Willow I go slow but I use a bicycle bell instead of loud horns.

[Brett L.]

@Dewey 159778 wrote:

Thank you to the two cyclists who complimented me this morning on my goggles and crank motor. Reading to my toddler last night I reassured her like Willow I go slow but I use a bicycle bell instead of loud horns.

Just don’t end up this like Willow
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[rcannon100]

I look down on pretty much all cyclists. Just saying.

[Author]

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