Why choose an ebike/electric scooter over a traditional bicycle for trips <10 mi. round trip?
Asked by
Ltryptophan (
12091
)
November 4th, 2021
from iPhone
How does using an electric scooter or ebike compare against a standard conventional bicycle for short distances?
Obviously if you are somehow unable to pedal or ride a bicycle, that eliminates it as an option.
Then there’s hills to consider. (Is it there’s hills or there’re hills, neither?)
Also, scooters can collapse and don’t need parking/can come with.
Bikes don’t need a charge and offer a light exercise, but might make you sweat before your destination.
Bike’s carry things easily.
I guess an ebike is the best of both worlds.
Is there a reason to own all of them, like a bag of golf clubs for transportation.
All of these options suffer if it’s raining, or cold.
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6 Answers
Electric bike you can peddle or get power assist if you need it. I guess maybe some bicycles can run fully on the battery, or just assist with the peddling? I’d love to have the option of a power assist of some sort. I can’t peddle very long, and if I went riding with someone I likely could not last as long as them. Within fifteen minutes I’m having trouble, especially if there are hills. I’d have to stay close to home to be sure I can get back.
Most ebikes are power assist. I see much older people using them to keep up with the youngbloods out on the trail. You still get a workout with them.
I’ve been a cyclist since I was a teen. As long as the roads are dry, I’ll do my errands by bike if the round trip is less than 20 miles. I ride to the grocery store, the post office, the bank, coffee shop, etc.
Over the decades, I’ve known a tiny number of people who would do the same.
But now with ebikes, it’s (slightly) more common in my social circle of 50+ year olds. Friends are discovering the freedom of cycling that I’ve always known, because ebikes make it easier.
@Call_Me_Jay would you rather an ebike, or just pedal power?
Someday, electric bicycle motors are going to be tiny. There’s even been talk in the past of secret hidden electric motors to aid athletes.
The form factor will eventually make this question irrelevant. Instead, someone might ponder do people still ride bicycles without electric motors?
@Ltryptophan I like the accomplishment of powering my travels myself, and I like the simplicity of the bike. Maybe when I’m older an ebike will keep me two-wheeling as my body breaks down, but for now I am enjoying pedaling.
You choose what you want and I’ll do the same. Our wants need not be approved by others.
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