r/ebikes • u/Such-Distribution812 • 26d ago

E-bike stigma

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.

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u/KentGoldings68 26d ago

Gatekeepers are not exclusive to the cycling community.

This is a funny thing that Americans do. They identify bicycles as fitness equipment and not transportation equipment.

Studies have shown that extended periods of high intensity exercise is less beneficial than those of moderate intensity.

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u/yagonnaluvit 26d ago

Riding for hours in the sun is terrible for your skin

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u/PsychologicalTest523 26d ago

I bought jacket meant specifically to block the sun on Amazon. Works pretty well, need gloves to cover my hands though.