Here in NL there are many variations of cargobikes/bakfietsen, some electric, many not. Depending on my shift pattern, I'll regularly draw up behind a woman with 3 kids in her bakfiets, winter & summer. It's electric but I'll catch up with her and there's not a lot of space to overtake. No problem for me - I think it's great to see that.
DHL have just added a very substantial E-bike to their local courier fleet. Pretty impressive.
On the other hand, the sheer number of (silent) food couriers flying around the city centre is a real nuisance, partly because the bikes are ridden by kids who are in a hurry, partly because they are moving faster than just about any other bike in the centre. Their only redeeming feature are the (very) bright lights they are kitted out with.
Last year I hosted a German chap through Warmshowers and he was telling me about how in his city they (a kind of bike co-op) have bought 2 different types of cargo bike that are available to hire out for what I thought was a very good price. If I remember correctly, the larger of the 2 was electric. I thought it was a fabulous idea.
I've met a couple who stopped touring when their kids were small, but were busy planning a long tour again with the kids able to match the adult distances by using e-bikes. Again, a great idea.
And I'll never forget an older German couple I met on Lake Konstanz in freezing drizzle (the day after temps in the mid 20s). They had rented Ebikes and had been looking forward to their little tour for 6 months. They never would have attempted it without the comfort of an E-motor. They were totally ill-equipped for the weather but the sheer joy they transmitted was a real pleasure to witness. I'd hate to deny anyone that joy.
There are a lot of uses for Ebikes, some more civic friendly than others. I think there's a real danger that if the unfriendly aspects are not controlled the only option will be very stringent controls.
