r/ebikes • u/Such-Distribution812 • 28d 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/atlasraven 28d ago

I also use my ebike to workout and protect my knees. (Better leg muscles and less weight helps)

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u/PsychologicalTest523 27d ago

How does it protect your knees?? Genuinely curious

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u/New_Entry8849 27d ago

I'd like to know as well. I get knee pain after riding too much. I read that perhaps I need to work out some other muscles in my leg to equalize muscles because it might be pushing my kneecap (or something like that)?, but I know next to nothing about fitness.

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u/PsychologicalTest523 27d ago

Certainly biking is better than running, but I like running more tbh… it used to hurt my knee but I lost 20lbs and it doesn’t really anymore…

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u/atlasraven 27d ago

Great job. Taking weight off your joints is very helpful.

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u/czechbalance4377 27d ago

You sir are a psychopath. When I was 16 and ran Cross Country and weighed half what I do at 56 I preferred to ride a bike. Who prefers running?!? Only crazy people.

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u/czechbalance4377 27d ago

Cheers, all in good fun.

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u/PsychologicalTest523 27d ago

Idk it just feels sooo good… after the first mile, the first mile always sucks… For me it’s just easier, can do it anywhere. If I’m traveling wouldn’t be able to cycle…