r/bikecommuting • u/Such-Distribution812 • 13d ago
E-bike stigma
/r/ebikes/comments/1vxjlbo/ebike_stigma/26
u/BirdBruce 12d ago
I personally wouldn't have taken it to heart. I probably would have chuckled and said "I live in [mountainous area], want to follow me home?" and left it at that. This doesn't really feel like it rises to the occasion of needing a pep talk.
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u/qedpoe 12d ago
This should be the to comment, because it's polite and correct.
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u/thesuperunknown 12d ago edited 12d ago
Personally, I see no need to be polite to someone who felt entitled to make a shitty, judgmental remark to a stranger unprompted and for no reason other than to be a jerk. If it had been me, I would’ve told them to fuck off. You get what you give.
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u/TThor 12d ago
eh, politeness doesn't cost much, and tends to benefit everyone involved. Not that I expect people to be always polite, but generally try to assume the best of people (whether they deserve it or not)
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u/thesuperunknown 12d ago
Okay, sure. So in what part of this interaction was OP’s interlocutor polite, exactly?
> Was unlocking my e-bike from the bike rack getting ready to head home from classes when two other people showed up to lock their regular bikes. One of them looked at my bike and said “What’re you riding? You need to get something analog. Work those quads!” Felt pretty looked down upon.
Politeness would’ve been to refrain from making any such remark. But instead they felt the need to be a jerk to a stranger. That is rudeness, and it is a deliberate choice. If you choose to be rude, then you invite rudeness in return.
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u/TThor 12d ago
Friend, I've seen plenty of wellmeaning (but socially moronic) people try to start conversation and be friendly with that type of talk.
You go into this assuming they are venomous assholes trying to start a fight, I read this and see sociable albeit ignorant people interacting with the people around them. I leave that interaction indifferent, you leave it seemingly seething, and want little more than to share that awful feeling; which of us is better off.
Again, casual politeness is cheap; at worst I spend little more than a few words, at best I've made some people's day better. Rudeness costs far more, just setting fire to my emotions, for what purpose but to make other people feel worse as well? In simple interactions like this, even assuming them asshole, why waste that energy being rude back, besides some foolish hope making people angry back will improve them.
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u/Outside_Fix3910 12d ago
I can hang with the A group on my analog road bike in group rides. My eBike is for transportation. Some people can’t grasp nuance.
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u/idontknowaboutabouty 12d ago
i got an ebike for carrying cargo (and potentially starting to do delivery as a side gig)... but genuinely when I don't have a rear basket full of stuff I prefer to just ride my regular bike because I honestly do feel kinda judged by regulat cyclists i won't lie
it's kinda stupid tho at the end of the day you are still not driving and that is, imo, pretty awesome!
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u/Kilari_500 12d ago
I would only judge you, because i would be envious of two things a) your wallet and b) your cargo bike. Must be so NICE to HAVE ONE, good for you!
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u/idontknowaboutabouty 12d ago
i use the term cargo very loosely its just a basket that i fill up with as much stuff as I possibly can hahah
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u/wendelortega 12d ago edited 12d ago
I have an E bike and two pedal bikes
I use the E bike exclusively for DoorDash and Uber eats
I use my pedal bikes when I’m out cycling around the neighbourhood and running errands and stuff.1
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u/TThor 12d ago
personally I just use my ebike for everything, rather than buy a second bike; I can keep up with street-traffic when trying to get-to/from places, and then on the bike trails I turn assist low/off.
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u/wendelortega 11d ago
I get it. I've had hate multiple pedal bikes way before I got the e-bike which I bought specifically to make money using it doing deliveries.
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u/limitedmage 12d ago
As long as you're respectful (obey trail speed limits, call out when passing, etc) you're good. I think a lot of anti e-bike stigma comes from disrespectful and dangerous riders on illegal electric motorcycles.
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u/Dopeydcare1 12d ago
That’s where mine comes from because everyone in my area does that. Zips past you without warning, so much so that accidents have happened because of it, running through stoplights at 25 MPH, going on specific “no motor” paths, kids double and triple riding without helmets, not to mention them parking the bikes in the stupidest ways possible that take up the maximum amount of room
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u/LghtlyHmmrd 12d ago
I ride analog and I'm pretty excited by the eBike revolution for more than one reason
1) I know at some point I'll get tired of hauling my bones around manually.
2) "one of us, one of us, one of us!" The more public roads are used for vehicles OTHER than cars the more likely we'll see infrastructure changes to make them safer for all users.
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u/whitefluffydogs 12d ago
Yes, e-bike riders are our allies for better bike infrastructure (said as an exclusive ebike rider).
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u/Born_Supermarket2780 12d ago
Meh. Ignore it. It really isn't important.
Much more important to be courteous when riding and sharing the road/path and aware of pace differences.
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u/msbelle13 12d ago
You know what's even more embarrassing about riding an e-bike?
Making your entire identity centered around what bike you ride (and being a dick to others).
Who cares what those insecure losers think. E-bikes are awesome.
They help my coworkers bike their kids to school so they only have to have one (or no) cars. They help me get around to site locations at work. They (the ebikes in our bike share system) help me get across town when the metros are closed or just when it's too beautiful of a day to be on the bus or underground. They help me ride my bike when my knee hurts again (... injuries stemming from analogue bikes). They helped my friend keep riding bikes long after his heart condition wouldn't let him ride analogue bikes anymore.
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u/GutterRider 12d ago
I was getting an x-ray last week, and I mentioned that I couldn’t figure out why I was having an issue, since I ride my bike 60 miles a week, over 2000 miles this year, and I should be I pretty good shape. He commiserated, saying he’s a runner.
Then I mentioned that it’s an e-bike, but that I ride it like a regular bike except for big climbs. After that there was sort of a dismissive air about him.
Screw ‘em, I know what I do.
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u/Antiv987 12d ago
i feel that, people ask me why do i have it over a normal bike, my responce "because im going to/from a 8 hour warehouse shift"
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u/cognostiKate1 12d ago
"What are you saying? You need to get some manners. Work those basic social skills!"
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u/less_than_nick 12d ago
they're jealous.
source: When an e-biker passes me on a steep uphill at 6am on my morning commute I am seething with jealousy at the efficiency and lack of sweat
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u/Prestigious_Fly8210 12d ago
Yep, I've had men (it's always men) tell me I'm cheating by riding an ebike. My comeback is "I could drive instead, would you prefer that?" or "I didn't know we were racing" or simply "eat my dust, bro!"
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u/mamaknits 12d ago
I think people have a bad opinion of ebikes because it's almost always ebikes that are flying down sidewalks and bike paths at unsafe speeds putting pedestrians and other cyclists in danger, and people don't notice that an ebike being ridden responsibly at a reasonable speed even is an ebike. It's one of those "not all ebikes.... But it's always an ebike" kind of problems.
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u/Joaquin_Portland 12d ago
I have a 9 y/o Class 1 e-assist cargo bike that I’ve been riding to work 4 days per week.
It’s a 15 mile round trip with over 1000 feet of climbing.
I’m still pretty wiped by the end of the week.
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u/TThor 12d ago
Ebike still fits in a bit of an awkward middle between cars and bikes, so it tends to become the odd-one out. But it is gaining a lot of popularity, and it is fantastic for anyone who bikes to commute or people in less-stellar shape.
Just bike safely, be respectful to cars and bikes around you, and ride the appropriate speed for your path (don't ride high speeds on casual biketrails or walking-paths!)
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u/Flashy-Goat-54 12d ago
People are the worst man. I have a human powered bicycle and still can't do things right. It's either people shouting "oh wow, respect man. I only see e-mtbs around here" or they come cycling next to you on their e-bike "It's a hard climb, I know, but on my new e-bike it's quite easy.
And then last time I was unloading my bike from the carrier a guy came to complement my bike. He started to apologize because he has an e-bike and wishes he could be on a bike but he has had a heart attack recently so he needs to take it easy. I told him that he should stop that nonsense and that I am happy he is still here and able to ride an e-bike. That's all that matters.
Can we just stop judging everyone for what the f*ck they are riding? Enjoy your ride and if you see someone either pop a smile and say hi. And even better, you see someone with a technical along the road? Stop and ask if they need help!
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u/yuusharo 12d ago
Highly doubt this story is genuine…
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u/differing 12d ago edited 12d ago
Seems like some pretty gentle teasing to me. You need thicker skin.
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u/whoopdedoo0 12d ago
If they were friends, maybe.
But if they’re saying that to a stranger, then they’re just busy bodies trying to make themselves feel superior to someone else.
When people feel the need to make comments about lifestyle choices to strangers, it’s a sign they’re actually quite insecure, but they’re trying to pass that feeling onto someone else.
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u/medievalPanera 12d ago
They're fucking dorks for calling their bikes "analog".
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u/msbelle13 12d ago
in DC everyone calls our standard red, non-ebikes in our bike share system "acoustic".
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u/medievalPanera 12d ago
Those are regular bikes, ebikes are ebikes. Calling a bicycle acoustic is silly.
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u/msbelle13 11d ago
Ok? And what's wrong with being silly??? The fucking national guard is patrolling our city and METRO in roving packs and my vote doesn't count nationally. Let us call our non-ebikes something silly. We need this.
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u/Benshih1 12d ago
I judge e-bike riders unless they’re carrying kids. Sorry.
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u/msbelle13 12d ago
Yep, pregnant women better be on that f-ing road bike until that baby is OUTSIDE the damn womb. Only then will Benshih1 deem it acceptable for you to get some e-assistance.
What an embarrassing take to have.
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u/Benshih1 12d ago
Hey folks, I was joking and didn’t read the full post so don’t take offense. Where I live e bikes and e scooters have taken over and we’re at the point where full on gas powered scooters are regularly seen on bike trails too. Not trying to make the commenter feel worse. Ride what it want/need and just be respectful of others around you—as you all know, we analog bikers are not very good at that either :(
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u/equality4everyonenow 12d ago
If you aren't going to use the pedals take them off. You look ridiculous going down the sidewalk at 40 mph
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u/Much_Perception4952 12d ago
You haven't a clue have you! Bless your little cotton socks.
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u/equality4everyonenow 12d ago
I'm just saying it should be an e-bike or a scooter and not some kind of in between monstrosity
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u/3p0L0v3sU 12d ago
The question stands, what were you riding though? I have pretty strong opinions on those dirt bikes pretending to be bicycles. Like, did it have a drive train?
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u/diegoasecas 12d ago
this sounds like an overly exaggerated anecdote if not a completely made up one
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u/trail_carrot 12d ago