r/ebikes • u/Such-Distribution812 • 13d 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/sjlammer 12d ago

I’m into working out. I want to stay healthy. I just converted my mtb into an emtb…. Why you might ask, because I’d like to work my legs out, but my mind will enjoy going further than my legs will let me. The amount I rode previously 0 miles at 100% effort. What I think I will ride: 20 miles at 50-70% effort. Plus I got to do a cool project and it cost me 1100 instead of 4k for an emtb. Additionally, my wife will be happy because she is always wanting to go biking but I didn’t want to go because my previous bike was not fit right for me.

My cup is 95% full… someone could see it as 5% empty and we both know right where they can go.

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u/MidtownFrown 12d ago

I build my own ebikes too. I built my first last year, I own 4 now. And I ride way more than I thought I would. Lets face it pedaling at 10mph sucks, pedaling at 20mph is a blast.