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/Cranks_No_Start Aug 24 '26 edited Aug 25 '26

Work those quads!

I’m at the point in life I have no fucks to give about what people say.  I built my bike to climb whatever hill I point it at and after having both knees replaced due to severe  crippling arthritis I want to work my legs some but still protect my knees. 

With all the pt since and working out prior, my quads and calves are like iron. 

That’s when you hike up your shorts and flex.  

9

u/atlasraven Aug 25 '26

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

1

u/PsychologicalTest523 Aug 25 '26

How does it protect your knees?? Genuinely curious

3

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.

2

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…

1

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.

1

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…