Comments on: Electric Bikes. Are They Cheating? http://www.situp-cycle.com/2009/10/20/electric-bikes-are-they-cheating/ Sitting up straight; The key to growing urban cycling Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:45:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Des http://www.situp-cycle.com/2009/10/20/electric-bikes-are-they-cheating/comment-page-1/#comment-293 Des Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:44:30 +0000 http://datillo.wordpress.com/?p=298#comment-293 Mike, thanks for another great video to demonstrate the potential of a pedal assisted electric bicycle. People make all types of comparisons between eBikes and other bicycles, sadly one line of criticism seeks to dismiss the eBike as "not a real" bike because of the additional power it gives to the rider. Another criticism often heard is that eBikes riders are "cheating" themselves by not undertaking maximum aerobic activity. It's quite patronising really! In reality cycling is a broadly-based pursuit that goes beyond the competitive/fitness/racing model. It's great to read this blog, because the posts, videos, links and discussions all present a view of cycling that is more inclusive and inviting. Still, it's interesting to see how the use of electric bikes might challenge the dominant view of sports cycling. This video link shows some great technology in action and highlights the potential of the eBike. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHU7qBZSsfk Des From Sydney Mike, thanks for another great video to demonstrate the potential of a pedal assisted electric bicycle.
People make all types of comparisons between eBikes and other bicycles, sadly one line of criticism seeks to dismiss the eBike as “not a real” bike because of the additional power it gives to the rider.
Another criticism often heard is that eBikes riders are “cheating” themselves by not undertaking maximum aerobic activity. It’s quite patronising really!
In reality cycling is a broadly-based pursuit that goes beyond the competitive/fitness/racing model.
It’s great to read this blog, because the posts, videos, links and discussions all present a view of cycling that is more inclusive and inviting.
Still, it’s interesting to see how the use of electric bikes might challenge the dominant view of sports cycling.
This video link shows some great technology in action and highlights the potential of the eBike.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHU7qBZSsfk
Des
From Sydney

]]> By: Jack @ electric mountain bikes http://www.situp-cycle.com/2009/10/20/electric-bikes-are-they-cheating/comment-page-1/#comment-287 Jack @ electric mountain bikes Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:03:04 +0000 http://datillo.wordpress.com/?p=298#comment-287 I don't think they are cheating even if you are training, definitely if you are racing though! All it means is you can travel further than you normally would if you trained on a normal bike. I don’t think they are cheating even if you are training, definitely if you are racing though! All it means is you can travel further than you normally would if you trained on a normal bike.

]]> By: Herve http://www.situp-cycle.com/2009/10/20/electric-bikes-are-they-cheating/comment-page-1/#comment-97 Herve Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:08:30 +0000 http://datillo.wordpress.com/?p=298#comment-97 It's only cheating if you think that cycling has to be exercise. It's a very narrow way of thinking though. For most cyclist in Europe, cycling is not exercise. Cycling is simply a form of transport, just like walking is. No need for special clothes, bright jacket or a helmet. Just hop on a bicycle & go. For many, it is as natural as walking, except that you can go a lot further for the same effort. The bicycle can also carry your shopping. No parking problems. Much easier. Considering that many people here drive to the local shops because they don't like carrying heavy shopping bags, cycling could be really helpful in those situations. Australia is really strange that cycling isn't use that much for transport, even though it could easily be used for short trips. There is so little infrastructure for cycling here that it takes a committed person to cycle. On top of it, helmets discourage cycling. Electric bicycles look really interesting. I know many people who would cycle, except they really don't like the occasional hill. Electric bikes are perfect, to give them a boost on hills, so that they don't seem to be unsurmountable obstacles. A bicycle that could recover energy from braking or downhills is also great to smooth out the effort. it makes cycling more constant, more like flat ground everywhere. A fully recharged electric bicycle can also extend the range that an occasional rider would be comfortable doing from, say 10k to 20k. it can extend the range of bicycle usage. A fantastic invention. I hope it catches on. How much does an electric bike cost? It’s only cheating if you think that cycling has to be exercise. It’s a very narrow way of thinking though.

For most cyclist in Europe, cycling is not exercise. Cycling is simply a form of transport, just like walking is. No need for special clothes, bright jacket or a helmet. Just hop on a bicycle & go. For many, it is as natural as walking, except that you can go a lot further for the same effort. The bicycle can also carry your shopping. No parking problems. Much easier. Considering that many people here drive to the local shops because they don’t like carrying heavy shopping bags, cycling could be really helpful in those situations.

Australia is really strange that cycling isn’t use that much for transport, even though it could easily be used for short trips. There is so little infrastructure for cycling here that it takes a committed person to cycle. On top of it, helmets discourage cycling.

Electric bicycles look really interesting. I know many people who would cycle, except they really don’t like the occasional hill. Electric bikes are perfect, to give them a boost on hills, so that they don’t seem to be unsurmountable obstacles. A bicycle that could recover energy from braking or downhills is also great to smooth out the effort. it makes cycling more constant, more like flat ground everywhere. A fully recharged electric bicycle can also extend the range that an occasional rider would be comfortable doing from, say 10k to 20k. it can extend the range of bicycle usage.

A fantastic invention. I hope it catches on.

How much does an electric bike cost?

]]> By: MarkA http://www.situp-cycle.com/2009/10/20/electric-bikes-are-they-cheating/comment-page-1/#comment-96 MarkA Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:27:09 +0000 http://datillo.wordpress.com/?p=298#comment-96 I agree, too many hyper-macho cyclists think along the lines of 'if it doesn't hurt, it's not good enough' - if electric bikes mean that more people who are otherwise too unfit or elderly or ill to cycle a 'normal' bike then why not? Gentle exercise is a fantastic way for people to improve their fitness (especially if they are doing no exercise ie. driving a car, beforehand) Just don't be surprised if I grab hold of you for a tow up the bigger hills! MarkA ibikelondon.blogspot.com I agree, too many hyper-macho cyclists think along the lines of ‘if it doesn’t hurt, it’s not good enough’ – if electric bikes mean that more people who are otherwise too unfit or elderly or ill to cycle a ‘normal’ bike then why not? Gentle exercise is a fantastic way for people to improve their fitness (especially if they are doing no exercise ie. driving a car, beforehand) Just don’t be surprised if I grab hold of you for a tow up the bigger hills!

MarkA
ibikelondon.blogspot.com

]]> By: David Hembrow http://www.situp-cycle.com/2009/10/20/electric-bikes-are-they-cheating/comment-page-1/#comment-95 David Hembrow Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:41:47 +0000 http://datillo.wordpress.com/?p=298#comment-95 If an electric assisted bike is "cheating", then what's a motorbike or a car ? If an electric assisted bike is “cheating”, then what’s a motorbike or a car ?

]]> By: Rob Mackenzie http://www.situp-cycle.com/2009/10/20/electric-bikes-are-they-cheating/comment-page-1/#comment-94 Rob Mackenzie Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:02:58 +0000 http://datillo.wordpress.com/?p=298#comment-94 Fabulous video.... and fabulous site. Enjoyed it so much we've shared it with our readers in North America on the www.recumbentblog.com . My wife Penny has a delta trike with electric assist and everything you say rings true with us. We've added you RSS so we will keep us with you blog. Rob and Penny Mackenzie Olds, Alberta Canada Fabulous video…. and fabulous site. Enjoyed it so much we’ve shared it with our readers in North America on the http://www.recumbentblog.com . My wife Penny has a delta trike with electric assist and everything you say rings true with us. We’ve added you RSS so we will keep us with you blog.

Rob and Penny Mackenzie
Olds, Alberta Canada

]]> By: adriennejohnson http://www.situp-cycle.com/2009/10/20/electric-bikes-are-they-cheating/comment-page-1/#comment-93 adriennejohnson Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:17:32 +0000 http://datillo.wordpress.com/?p=298#comment-93 18 minutes! Not bad! E-bikes are not cheating. This is bike riding, there is no cheating. Whatever gets you out of your car and moving for yourself is a great thing! Especially after a heart attack and a stent. 18 minutes! Not bad! E-bikes are not cheating. This is bike riding, there is no cheating. Whatever gets you out of your car and moving for yourself is a great thing! Especially after a heart attack and a stent.

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