[jhynesrockmtn]

Originally Posted by jyl

I have mixed feelings about ebikes, because I see young fit people on 1000 wattt ebikes flying uphill in narrow bikes lanes at 20 mph without even pedaling, creating a real hazard for ordinary cyclists grinding up at 10 mph, but I also see older people happily commuting on ebikes who couldn't be on two-wheels if they had to ride a regular bike.

I have to wonder why some people think their ebikes have to have huge fat slow knobby tires like the one shown. That thing will be exhausting to pedal "manually" up a grade or for any significant distance on the flat. The rider will be required to use e-boost because he's chosen a machine that is a crappy "bicycle".

And don't get me started on yahoos on 2000 watt e-Mountain-bikes throwing rooster tails. Ride a real dirt bike or go home.

Eventually, as the power race extends, I think ebikes will need to be sent to traffic lanes like any other powered two-wheeler (motorcycle, scooter, moped) because otherwise you're going to have excessive speed differentials in narrow bike lanes, and getting plowed by a 70 lb ebike and 200 lb rider moving at 25 mph isn't a lot better than getting plowed by a motorbike.

^^^^ This

I saw a fat kid on a powered scooter the other day getting around with no physical effort. I'm almost 60 and love to ride my non powered mountain bike. I'm fine if a powered bike gets some old dude out and moving his body and having fun. If some 30 year old yells "on your left" as I'm grinding up a hill it's going to be real hard not to stick my leg out and knock him over. I won't, but I'll want to. All of this is going to make one of my favorite animated movies come true.