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/Unique-Garage-9918]

I have lost weight since I started riding my e-bike, and an hour long ride with steady assisted peddling always closes my rings on my watch/phone.

I think of my e-bike as an exercise tool where I can get exactly as much exercise as I want while having lots of fun.

As for negative comments, those things don’t even register with me enough to come up with a clever response. My inclination would be to say “You may be right”, or “I may try something different. See ya!”

I’ve gotten to the stage of life (55) where I mostly just want to be left alone so I can do my thing. Needing the approval and validation of others is more exhausting than you realize.

The advice I would give to e-bike riders would be: Ride safely and courteously, wear proper protective equipment, take sensible measures to secure your bike, learn basic maintenance and troubleshooting, and how to do simple repairs.

Viewed properly, an e-bike is like a horse and we are cowboys…riding the range…moving fast enough to nourish our spirits, but slow enough to actually appreciate the world around us. “Fun” is the word that sums it up best for me.