E-whine

[Andy in Germany]

I was talking to Jannie about this today. Mostly, the people who whinge have never been on an ebike, so are talking about something they know nothing about. They are often 35 or younger. They have no idea that Jonas Vingegaard also has an e bike. They don't understand how many bike shops would close if they did not sell or service ebike. This is all before you start talking about people and how it extends their cycling lives. They may not want an e bike. But who cares?

Most local shops are trying to offload ebikes at the moment: the price is in the toilet. We have almost no enquiries about Ebikes but we can't restore used bikes quickly enough to keep up with demand. Of course, we're an unusual case: Normal shops don't generally sell used bikes.

Having ridden Ebikes for tests, I don't get along with them because I naturally ride a bit faster than the 25km/h legal limit.

 

[Andy in Germany]

My legal ebike has certainly passed pure pedal powered cyclists on hills. Last week weighed down by a heavy pannier and middling rucksack I overtook a couple of cyclists on the steep climb of NCN67 through the Harrogate showground. They had made good progress up it but as the gradient steepened I gained on them.

I frequently leapfrog Ebikes on my regular ride: they pass me on uphill sections, especially when I'm carrying the shopping, and then I pass them on downhill or flat sections.

 

[rogerzilla]

I worry about how quickly e-bikes will head fo landfill once the batteries lose range.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I worry about how quickly e-bikes will head fo landfill once the batteries lose range.

I think we'll be finding out soon. We are getting a lot of first generation and "no-name" cheapo bikes which can't be repaired because of non-standard parts.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Im seeing a lot of what I call E-whine about those riding E-bikes and trikes. First of all, out on the trails, Im seeing a lot more people out for rides on E-bikes. I feel that this is a good thing. A lot of them are husband and wife teams, that wouldnt be out if it wasnt for E-bikes. People getting out and exercising in the fresh air is good.

Some of the whine comes from people that complain about young kids on high powered E-bikes burning up the trails, riding much faster than is good for safety. They have a point. The other big whine comes from the head down, ride as fast as you can would be racer boys. They absolutely hate it when some old guy on a trike is riding up a big hill into a big wind faster than they can. They think it makes them look bad.

One issue I've noticed, and this may be a German thing, is that a lot of ebike riders think riding on a cycleway is like driving a car; it isn't. Pedestrians and other vehicles don't have to move out of your way so you can drive as fast as possible. There are a few cycleways near Stuttgart I avoid after about 10am on weekends because it's so stressful with families getting shouted at by (mostly) ebike riders who think it's an Autobahn.

 

[Mike_P]

I worry about how quickly e-bikes will head fo landfill once the batteries lose range.

Branded ebikes have replacement batteries available, but that may still be an issue for ones with built in batteries which seems common on ebike road bikes. My Giant hybrid has an easilly removable battery.
Locally there is definitely a significant number of legal ones about possibly because of the hilly terrain making use of an ebike attractive for shopping and short commutes.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Branded ebikes have replacement batteries available, but that may still be an issue for ones with built in batteries which seems common on ebike road bikes. My Giant hybrid has an easilly removable battery.
Locally there is definitely a significant number of legal ones about possibly because of the hilly terrain making use of an ebike attractive for shopping and short commutes.

Batteries are frighteningly expensive, though. This is made worse here because they're officially dangerous goods, so only licensed carriers can transport them. We can't even carry our batteries the 4km from one shop to the other in town. Customers don't realise this, and they're often shocked by the cost of a new battery, which can clear 1000€ with delivery.

 

[Gwylan]

Having ridden Ebikes for tests, I don't get along with them because I naturally ride a bit faster than the 25km/h legal limit.

That is the big problem with most of the Ebikes I've ridden. But it's probably a speed that suits my age and capacities.

 

[Mike_P]

Batteries are frighteningly expensive, though. This is made worse here because they're officially dangerous goods, so only licensed carriers can transport them. We can't even carry our batteries the 4km from one shop to the other in town. Customers don't realise this, and they're often shocked by the cost of a new battery, which can clear 1000€ with delivery.

Bought a new one last year but cheap compared to the price of a new ebike. Bit like EVs really there needs to be some set standards on battery sizes, voltages, amps and connector design and location. Imagine if every household device used its own unique battery the costs of those would be £££

 

[Mike Ayling]

That is the big problem with most of the Ebikes I've ridden. But it's probably a speed that suits my age and capacities

if you regularly ride at greater than 25 km/h wrhy do you need an ebike?

 

[Drago]

Having ridden Ebikes for tests, I don't get along with them because I naturally ride a bit faster than the 25km/h legal limit.

It was the same for me at first. Its counter intuitive having to learn to ride a bit slower to go a bit faster, so to speak,

 

[raleighnut]

Any e-bike can travel faster than the 15.5 mph limit just not under power anymore.

As for mine being 'throttle only' this was done deliberately so I can choose when I need assistance and when I want to conserve electrical power reserves.

 

[Andy in Germany]

It was the same for me at first. Its counter intuitive having to learn to ride a bit slower to go a bit faster, so to speak,

I see that, but for me, it currently makes no sense to drop at least 2k€ on a bike that will make my commute and shopping trip take longer than it currently does, especially when I have to assume it'll cost another 1k€ in half a decade when the battery refuses to charge...

 

[All uphill]

One issue I've noticed, and this may be a German thing, is that a lot of ebike riders think riding on a cycleway is like driving a car; it isn't. Pedestrians and other vehicles don't have to move out of your way so you can drive as fast as possible. There are a few cycleways near Stuttgart I avoid after about 10am on weekends because it's so stressful with families getting shouted at by (mostly) ebike riders who think it's an Autobahn.

I've experienced that in NL on a Sunday afternoon. Hordes of oldies on upright ebikes doing exactly 25kmh following a cycle route. They didn't appreciate a heavily laden English oldie whose speed varied between 15 and 35 kmh.

Edit: I may have enjoyed disrupting their oh-so-orderly procession. I remembered why I came back to England to live.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Any e-bike can travel faster than the 15.5 mph limit just not under power anymore.

I managed this, but then you're fighting the motor on many bikes: so it's not only adding to the weight, it's acting as a brake: I borrowed the company Bakfiets for a shopping trip once and my goodness my legs hurt afterwards: I used my bike with panniers after that.
The worst bit about that trip was I'd forgotten to get bog roll and that was the whole point of borrowing the bike in the first place...