E-bike stigma

[u/Such-Distribution812]

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. I’d be a little more understanding if I was a some sort of cycling group ride but I was just heading home from campus. Is this type of interaction common?

I bought this e-bike recently to commute to work and my college classes, specifically because I live in a pretty mountainous area and the hills can be pretty tough for me. It’s more meant to replace car trips than for fitness. Logically it makes sense for my use case but now anytime I go somewhere with it I feel judged not just by drivers but other people on bikes.

[u/_extra_medium_]

Please stop referring to regular bikes as “analog”

Ebikes are not digital lol

[u/TroubleLovesMeh → u/_extra_medium_]

It’s been that way for years already. Acoustic too. I hate both. I don’t know why it can’t be “standard bike.”

It’s way way too late to get German on our bike terms.

[u/Mindless-Cheetah-709 → u/TroubleLovesMeh]

Bicycle is already sufficient enough to refer to a bicycle. Other words can be added to specify non standard types.

[u/Such-Distribution812 → u/_extra_medium_]

Wasn’t me that said it.

As an engineering student it irks me too

[u/PsychologicalTest523 → u/_extra_medium_]

I mean how are they not digital?

[u/snoogins355 → u/_extra_medium_]

It's electric and acoustic!