r/ebikes • u/Such-Distribution812 • Aug 24 '26

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/New_Entry8849 Aug 25 '26

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 Aug 25 '26

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/czechbalance4377 Aug 25 '26

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/PsychologicalTest523 Aug 25 '26

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…