"Kids don't have the skills to ride ebikes"
Posted by Inciteful_Analysis@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 13 comments
Invariably every parent asking for ebike recommendations for their early teen on this forum is met with a chorus telling them to buy a normal bike. As if legal class 1/2 ebikes are beyond their capabilities to control.
This may hold true for some kids. But there are others that have skills beyond most on this forum.
PS - I know there are pedal bikes in this video. If you point this out, you missed the point.
ava1ar@reddit
What's your point? Yes, there are skilled kids out there. However, how yhis changes the situation that lots of kids are getting ebikes (and even worth - electric dirt e-motos) without any previous preparation and not even knowing the basics of riding culture.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
Riding a class 1 ebike is not hard for most teens and doesn't pose inherently unreasonable risks.
ava1ar@reddit
Agree, but most teens doesn't want Class 1 bike. And I don't really see them riding class 1, at least in my town. They want something "fast" and it should ride itself, so you don't need to pedal it. There is such a crazy thing like "electric dirt bikes for kids" out there with plenty of options from China. How many kids/teenagers focused class 1 bikes can you find?
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
I specifically mentioned class 1/2 ebikes. Top speed 20mph. Not even class 3, let alone e-motos.
That's what I'm being downvoted for. Again, it's crazy to think a kid a couple years away from driving a motor vehicle is too young to ride a class 1 ebike.
TopRepulsive4766@reddit
I've taught several early teen boys (13-14) how to ride an ebike. I taught them on my old ebike which is light and without fat tyres. This is a class-3 ebike, but it's top speed is only around 25MPH. Once the boys got used to the feel of a powered ebike, they did quite well. It's a lot easier to teach a kid to ride an ebike than a motorcycle...clutch and all that you know.
I think most younger teens can handle an ebike if given some coaching and plenty of practice time.
I would recommend a lighter ebike that isn't overpowered for younger teens. I do know with most teens, if the power is there they tend to utilise it to the max.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
Sounds very reasonable.
paxtana@reddit
Man what a cool bike track
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
I'm glad someone appreciated the video.
4-Polytope@reddit
Kids don't have the skills to ride ebikes before they have gotten used to pedal bikes
yarn_slinger@reddit
And riding on a closed course is a totally different set of skills from riding on the road with cars, pedestrians and other cyclists.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
If someone has the agility and processing skills to assess and time jumps, they likely have the skills to monitor traffic and anticipate future position/timing.
Different, yes. Totally different, no. Applicable transfer of skills, yes.
thereia@reddit
i don’t think most people were making the argument you think. For illegal fast e-bikes or e motos people would talk about kids not being able to handle them. But for legal class 1/2 it was more of the “why” variety - as in kids get so little exercise these days, why not just get them a pedal bike. At least that’s how I’ve seen it.
Ol_Man_J@reddit
In addition: what is so bad about the fact that the kid has to maybe walk up a hill, or ya know, just ride slower?