More on E-Bikes

[jnva]

@peterw_diy 77970 wrote:

Please say more. Many of the arguments I’ve read against “e-bikes” center on a perception that they’re essentially dinky electric motorcycles. An “e-bike” with a throttle to many looks to some like a motor vehicle exploiting legal loopholes. Take away the throttle so it’s only e-assist when pedaling and it’s easier to support.

Also it seems to me that throttles are more likely to contribute to accidents. Sure, they’re probably very safe on open country roads, but most e-assist kits have really short ranges (<20 miles) so these bikes are more likely to be used in higher density areas where one wouldn't use cruise control in a car.

That’s the first I’ve heard about throttles being unsafe

So, all motorcycles are unsafe? To be technical, a throttle has a cable controlling the input, on an electric motor, it’s actually a potentiometer.

Also, I have cruise control and use it all the time!

[peterw_diy]

@jnva 78026 wrote:

So, all motorcycles are unsafe? To be technical, a throttle has a cable controlling the input, on an electric motor, it’s actually a potentiometer.

Also, I have cruise control and use it all the time!

Motorcycles are dangerous enough that we require operator testing and licenses.

You use cruise control in your car all the time? I only use it on long trips on interstates and other limited access roadways where traffic is light enough that I can maintain a consistent speed. I generally don’t use cruise control in dense traffic situations like rush hour I-95 or situations with much potential for vehicles to turn into or out of the roadway (e.g., surface streets). Quick googling suggests that I’m not alone.

[jnva]

That was a sarcastic “all the time”. Of course I don’t use it all the time. I’m not going to argue with anyone on this forum about ebikes, I know the majority of people here don’t care for them and some have expressed outright hatred. So, I’m not trolling nor will I be trolled to argue! I enjoy riding my ebike, to each his own

[hozn]

@jnva, I think most people here are indifferent or supportive. The dissenters are a minority. The arguments are tiring. While I don’t want one (now, anyway), I love seeing more people on the trails. I would have to be convinced with something scientific that having propulsion increases danger. If I am going 20mph when a car cuts me off it doesn’t matter whether I pedaled or throttled up to that speed, so there isn’t an obvious issue to me. If we are talking about keeping bikes off of busy sidewalks, we can probably all agree that makes sense.

[GB]

@run/bike 78000 wrote:

I know it has come up in the past, but can we make the e-bike meetup a reality this spring? I think it would be great for those e-bikers among us to meet and for non e-bikers to have an opportunity to check them out/ask questions.

Can you make it to a FMCC?

[dasgeh]

@GB 78054 wrote:

Can you make it to a FMCC?

As an ebiker who would try to make a meetup, no

[runbike]

@GB 78054 wrote:

Can you make it to a FMCC?

Ditto.

[Tim Kelley]

@jnva 77968 wrote:

Once you actually ride electric bikes you might get why the throttle is very useful

Yes, please do expand on this.

I’ve taken several types of e-bikes for test rides and my experience with a throttle is that I don’t pedal.

[Tim Kelley]

@hozn 78052 wrote:

@jnva, I think most people here are indifferent or supportive. The dissenters are a minority. The arguments are tiring. While I don’t want one (now, anyway), I love seeing more people on the trails. I would have to be convinced with something scientific that having propulsion increases danger. If I am going 20mph when a car cuts me off it doesn’t matter whether I pedaled or throttled up to that speed, so there isn’t an obvious issue to me. If we are talking about keeping bikes off of busy sidewalks, we can probably all agree that makes sense.

Agreed. Whatever gets people out of their cars!

[jnva]

@Tim Kelley 78110 wrote:

Yes, please do expand on this.

I’ve taken several types of e-bikes for test rides and my experience with a throttle is that I don’t pedal.

I don’t know how else to explain it other than saying I use the throttle, and pedal at the same time: it’s not that difficult. After the initial novelty of having the bike move on its own wears off, you realize or at least I did, that pedaling more and using the throttle less has these benefits – by starting out pedaling and slowly using the throttle to maintain speed only when it’s needed (uphill, and long straights off and on for example) the battery pulls fewer amps and is very efficient. The battery lasts longer when you can modulate like this, instead of being forced to have the pedal sensor decide when and how much assist to provide. But when you need the amps quickly, to get across a street or pass a car, or just to keep up with traffic safely, the throttle becomes extremely useful in my opinion.

[americancyclo]

@Tim Kelley 78110 wrote:

Yes, please do expand on this.

I’ve taken several types of e-bikes for test rides and my experience with a throttle is that I don’t pedal.

I rode a bionix 350 this weekend and it was AWESOME! It kicks in at 2 mph so you can’t just throttle, and it has 4 levels of assist to choose from (as percentages of input, i believe)

the most useful part was after a stop sign at the bottom of a right turn up a big hill. I stopped for a truck and then was able to easily pedal up the hill (with a little kiddo on the back of the cargo bike). This would have been annoying on the crabon bike, but devastating on a regular bike (if i didn’t shift down in to low gear) with a trailer.

Only complaint I got was from my daughter that got too cold with the wind.

[jabberwocky]

I think most people are completely supportive, there is just some concern over e-bikes place when it comes to dedicated bike infrastructure. I know I’d much rather see people riding e-bikes than driving cars though.

[jnva]

@jabberwocky 78183 wrote:

I think most people are completely supportive, there is just some concern over e-bikes place when it comes to dedicated bike infrastructure. I know I’d much rather see people riding e-bikes than driving cars though.

Yep, I get the concern and I absolutely feel the same way! Last thing I want is a bunch of scooters zipping along the bike path. But on the other hand, wouldn’t that be great if more people take a sensible approach to commuting, and ride a two wheeler instead of a smog producing death mobile? It amazes me how many people can tolerate being stuck in a car for hours everyday just getting back and forth to work.

[GB]

@jnva 78189 wrote:

Last thing I want is a bunch of scooters zipping along the bike path.

Don’t repeat that around runners…they might feel the same way about bikes on the running path.

Although I don’t like being passed, I’d rather be past by an e-bike than an a regular bike.

My take is less driving is better, more biking is better, e-bikes seem to move strongly in the right direction.

[PotomacCyclist]

@jnva 78189 wrote:

Yep, I get the concern and I absolutely feel the same way! Last thing I want is a bunch of scooters zipping along the bike path. But on the other hand, wouldn’t that be great if more people take a sensible approach to commuting, and ride a two wheeler instead of a smog producing death mobile? It amazes me how many people can tolerate being stuck in a car for hours everyday just getting back and forth to work.

I don’t think they tolerate it that well. That daily imprisonment helps explain why there are so many angry, frustrated and aggressive drivers out there. I think of it like this — there is no other situation where millions of people voluntarily confine themselves to a 3′ x 3′ x 4′ space on a daily basis. It really is unnatural for the human psyche.

[Author]

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