It's hip to ride an electric bike
There is a misconception that riding an electric bike is “uncool.” Many hardcore commuters or bike messengers will scoff at the electric motor, claiming it is for cheaters. Of course, this is the complete wrong approach to riding an electric bike. Most bike riders don’t want to be involved in an endurance contest, they just want to have fun and help the environment by ditching the car.
So what kinds of people ride electric bikes? This is the most common question we get asked in our shop. We see different electric bike riders every day, and each one has their own reasons. However, there is one thing that all electric bike riders have in common – they take pride in their sleek, hip new bike.
(bike in picture is the Sanyo Eneloop electric bike)
The Electric Bike Businessman
One of the biggest markets for electric bicycles is Wall Street. Executives that ride the bike to work in a suit and tie use the electric motor because they don’t want to sweat through their clothes en route. This is a great reason to ride an electric bike, and most of them will turn off the electric power on the way home so they can get a workout from pedaling.
The Electric Bike Food Delivery
Riding an electric bike for 12 hours a day every day is a feat of strength. Doing ANY physical activity for 12 hours a day every day is hard. You want to tell these guys they’re cheating? They’re riding bikes through Manhattan streets FOR A LIVING! It’s a tough as nails job, and an electric bike let’s them do it in style.
Electric Bike Physical Assistance
Not everyone is in peak physical condition, and for the people struggling with joint problems, or other weakened conditions, an electric bike is the ideal rehabilitation vehicle. Just the prospect of pedaling a bike again is a miracle, so of course they’re proud to be out on the street. The idea of customizing frames and colors of the bike is just an added bonus.
So what kind of people ride electric bikes? Well, anyone can. They take a lot of the sweat out of riding a bike, especially in the sweltering heat of summer.
Come visit us and take one for a spin! You just might fall in love.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been an avid mountain biker and commuter for over 20 years and the reason I got an electric bike is to help with hauling groceries and other heavy loads with my xtracycle cargo bike. I could probably haul the loads without an electric assist, but chances are it would be easier to default to using my truck. It’s nice to cruz around town on my cargo ebike and pick up things and not get too sweaty when I go to work or get home. I save the sweating for when I am on the trails on my mountain bike!
My cargo ebike is not the hipest bike you’ve ever seen but it gets the job done. For 2011 there are some cool new hip electric cargo bikes coming out.
Overall the electric cargo bike is a nice car alternative.
I think you’re absolutely right – electric bikes serve a purpose. If you don’t want to drive a car, this is a perfectly viable alternative. Plus you don’t pay for gas. I think now that electric bikes are establishing a lasting place between bicycles and cars, the critics will start to accept the useful applications of electric-assist.