Nobody warned me about THIS part of e-bike ownership
Posted by forestmoth2345@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 210 comments
Everyone talks about speed, range, and torque but nobody told me how addictive it is to replace every short car trip.
Grocery run? E-bike. Coffee? E-bike. Random late-night ride just because I can? E-bike. I didn’t buy it to replace my car, but it’s slowly happening anyway. Anyone else unintentionally become that person?
openedBooka@reddit
How do you do all of that without it getting it stolen?
Context, I'm american!
Snoo_4108@reddit
Honestly, I just go from store to store stealing bikes to get across town in America
Gizmorum@reddit
i wish my grocery store was nice enough to leave it locked
annoyotronnerna@reddit
What do you mean? You can't leave your bike locked in front of the store?
Buscabulla33@reddit
He’s probably got squatters outside the grocery store just waiting for a nice bike to steal
Gizmorum@reddit
yes, i dont even live in the city, but for some reason around the san francisco bay area, supermarkets draw in loitering homeless
Suitable-Ad3475@reddit
People break and steal stuff just for the sake of it. Happened to me countless times.
GuppyOnReddit@reddit
I live in a town of about 22K and do lock it up on occasion if I expect to be longer than 15-20 minutes, but I usually just put it in a rack for the Post Office drop-off or a stop at borough hall. For a visit to CVS or our local grocery store I just park it right near the entrance since neither have racks. I haven't had any issues in 6 years but I'm going to find some wood to knock on right now :).
m2keo@reddit
Sometimes, your best hope is a nicer location one even if it's further away. Sometimes even the supposedly nicer ones here will have suspicious dudes hanging out in the front. That's when it's like, 'Ok. On to the next one it is.'. lol.
AdFeeling6882@reddit
You absolutely can my friend. It’s all about deterrence. Having multiple locks and alarms. On my very expensive E-bike I use one disc brake alarm/lock from kryptonite that is extremely sensitive. the $360 u-lock from kryptonite, then the 15lb chain and small u-lock from kryptonite. Along with a small $15 motion alarm that’s hidden under the seat that I set with a remote. Just the $350 u lock takes a crazy amount of angle grinder disks to cut through. I think like 15 or so. Then it can’t be twisted so they have to cut through both sides. Make your bike a hard target and the thieves will move on to the next. But also make it easy for you to lock and unlock.
GuppyOnReddit@reddit
Since 2020 I've had a pedal-assist eBike and as long as the weather cooperates I do just about everything within 3 miles of my home on it--doctor appointments, lunch gatherings, grocery shopping, downtown shopping, etc. I actually have a cart that I attach if I need to pickup a large item such as an air fryer :). Now I have to admit that I've gotten caught in pop-up rain and snow storms--not great feeling to come out of a doctor's appointment and your bike is covered with snow. Think of it as backup transportation if something should happen to your car and enjoy the breeze! :).
Ciedoc@reddit
I wish I could do that. I live in too big of an area that I don't want to be on the road with so many distracted or aggravated drivers. Also be too paranoid around here to leave the bike unattended despite all the locks/devices I have. Some areas I ride theough I'm on the alert so I don't get mugged and robbed! Keep speed up, don't stop, don't respond.
Sea-Plane4715@reddit
That's the best part, not moving the car. Especially in NYC. You'll never get a space after 5pm
SixGunZen@reddit
The big thing I am hoping for is that these things will eventually replace cars, at least in the cities for sure and in the suburbs largely. I think an e-bike towing a small cargo trailer can pretty much replace a car for any trip of 3 miles round trip or less. The problem is the goddamn car drivers not wanting to share the road with bikers.
ShadowMancer_GoodSax@reddit
I am from Vietnam. Our government is officially banning ICE motorcycles during traffic hours and in zone1, which my office happens to locate in. I have a choice to 1) quit the job and starve to death 2) get a eletric moped 3) bus 4) e bike and I am choosing e bike.
dedlobster@reddit
I can understand why they are doing this. When I was in Vietnam in 2018, the issues from more and more gas powered vehicles on the roadway were very apparent. I appreciate that rather than change the infrastructure to suit cars, trucks, and a kajillion ICE motorcycles and scooters, they are simply banning vehicles that contribute to congestion, safety risks, and pollution. The smog in Hanoi is no joke. I think it's worse than anywhere else that I went in Vietnam. I'm sure it's not all due to vehicle emissions, but your country went from mostly bicycles to ICE vehicles in a very short span of time without major changes in infrastructure to support that. I'm sorry it's going to have some negative impacts for you, but an ebike will be totally fine. And you won't really have any trouble learning how to get around on that vs an ICO motorcycle or scooter. It won't go quite as fast, but it won't be a huge adjustment and ultimately maybe you'll find your commute a little less stressful of an experience. I did really find it fascinating, though, how traffic there just kind of flows on vibes. You just walk bravely into traffic and people go around you — no problem (mostly). It took a bit to get used to! Anyway, hope the ebike works out and that the new changes help with traffic issues and emissions pollution.
Are they planning on providing more accessibility for charging electric bikes?
ShadowMancer_GoodSax@reddit
I used to ride a 500cc motorcycle and the average speed was around 34kmh around cities and 46kmh outside of the city so I am thinking I wont be too much slower on an ebike. I am currently riding dual sport motorcycle so I am looking for something that can give me a similar feeling, I dont like scooters due to ergonomics and scooters give me horrible back and tail bone pain.
Unfortunately the government ain't doing much. Vingroup, the major manufacturing company is providing heaps of charging stations and cheap parking but their scooters are pretty low quality comparing with competitors. I am currently looking at Engwe x26, hopefully I can test ride it soon.
KotR56@reddit
Your government is brave.
In many other countries, such a rule would mean strikes, demonstrations, political chaos.
ShadowMancer_GoodSax@reddit
Surprisingly a lot of people, including me are supportive of the policy not because we live in a authoritarian state where demonstrations are illegal, but because air pollution has been so bad in the past 20 years. Besides the economy and our average salary has risen a lot recently so replacing a motorcycle ain't a huge deal.
Intelligent-Pen-2479@reddit
Wow. Last time a went to Vietnam (HCM) in 2019, roads were very co vested with motorcycles. I had the courage to rent a motorcycle and it was an experience!
Now I want to see your roads without ICE motorcycles even only during rush hours.
ShadowMancer_GoodSax@reddit
Unfortunately the government is dead serious about banning ICE motorcycles. Big pickup trucks have been banned since 1.1.2026 , I am currently checking out Engwe x26 since its the only thing heavy enough to remind me of a moped lol.
Repulsive-Theory-477@reddit
Why unfortunately?
ShadowMancer_GoodSax@reddit
Because I have very little experience with ebike and I am currently riding motorcycle to work (yes its shallow, ebikes are so much better for environment).
Extension-Version813@reddit
That’s probably gonna backfire into more cars during traffic hours.
MildlyAgitatedBovine@reddit
Electric scooter cheaper?
ShadowMancer_GoodSax@reddit
Can be as cheap as $200 and they go up to around $1200.
MildlyAgitatedBovine@reddit
I got a $1900 🛵 with swappable batteries but that inky helps if you live in the network of swap stations.
Tabbbinski@reddit
When I was in Hanoi I joined a cycling tour. The guide told me at the time [2019] that the government was planning to ban ICE motorcycles. Given their proliferation I said "It'll never happen." He agreed but there we have it. Good move Vietnam. It'll still be crazy chaos on the streets once the transition to e-bikes is complete but at least it will be quieter crazy chaos; less stinky too.
throwaway_2_help_ppl@reddit
except for the people who can't afford a $1000 ebike to replace their $200 motorcycle!
ShadowMancer_GoodSax@reddit
No they will not replace their $200 motorcycles with expensive ebikes, cheap Chinese e bikes costs around $200 to 400.
ShadowMancer_GoodSax@reddit
Hehe yeah, a lot of people have bought electric scooters and ebikes. Pollution is getting out control, its good we finally have a chance to breath cleaner air.
quasio@reddit
Imma go with option 1 eventually
boghall@reddit
Where e-bikes make journeys quicker/ less effort/ more predictable (e.g. sprawling or car-congested areas), they also change our mental map of place, effectively acting as ‘city shrinkers’, and so also patterns of behaviour.
atlasraven@reddit
Yup, I had to relearn how to navigate since bikes prefer routes that are bad for cars, like shortcuts along greenways or low speed residential areas.
skilltheamps@reddit
One thing that started to seriously annoy me is how car-centered maps are. Like you need to get from one side of the city to the other, and you zoom out on the map. Then you can only see the highway you can't take, large roads you don't want to take, and the nice cycle paths are not even drawn at that zoom level. Even when you switch to cycling specific maps/modes, it usually is just a ratsnest of ugly colored cycle paths drawn on top of a car-centric map. But it is ugly, non intuitive, you cannot see shit. There's no distinction of how well suited a path is for bicycles, or indication where well suited axes for crossing the city are. I want a map that translates the concepts of highways, large and small roads to a bicycle point of view.
atlasraven@reddit
https://www.opencyclemap.org/
bats-n-bobs@reddit
thanks for the link, that's such a cool resource!
AaronRodgersMustache@reddit
So I just got a used e-bike for the first time, and was shocked to learn I rode to Central Park in 15 min from where I live in Queens. Like legit shocked. Then I rode all the way to the top of Central Park, across the river at the north end of queens, and back down to LIC in like an hour or so. Couldn’t be more shocked.
Panelak_Cadillac@reddit
Made it from WTC to Fort Tryon Park in 35 minutes. Beats the subway or a cab.
footsnax@reddit
I initially got mine to reinforce my habit of walking or biking anywhere if possible. The car is for emergencies, large cargo, and leaving the county. Anything else can be biked, that was my philosophy, I just wanted a boost to cross busy intersections.
Once I took that thing out of town there was no stopping me. Well, battery life, but I'm working on that.
The easier it gets to not drive, the easier it is to spend more time outside and be physically active, better for your heart and lungs and better for your brain than driving. And cheaper, and often just as fast or only slightly more time.
Learn to give yourself that time though. It's worth it. When I drove everywhere I was always in a hurry and somehow always late. I'm on bike time now, rarely in a hurry and always early.
DissonantYouth@reddit
I’m currently experiencing this after buying a bike last weekend in my small town. Suddenly, it FEELS small to me.
Intelligent-Pen-2479@reddit
And the things you usually miss when inside a car,you now notice.
That corner store, a restaurant that you didn't notice before, a nice coffee shop atthe end of a road. And ebikes make you want to explore more since it's very easy and frie dly to the eyes of people.
It's the slow lifestyle :)
darksamus8@reddit
I remember it too, it was SUCH a freeing feeling.
Veggyhed@reddit
Late night rides are incredible; I absolutely love them. E-bikes are fantastic because there is so much you can do with them. It really gets you out of the house and outside.
StrictMarsupial@reddit
I want to have this problem. Where do ya'll live? Where I live the existence of a bike on the road (legal here) is a personal affront to a F150's driver
Apprehensive_Day2943@reddit
Just throw this Trump on a bike sticker on the back of your helmet.
Either_Basil_6960@reddit
omfg just buy a motorcycle
its much better
PreferenceAny3920@reddit
Why are you IN this group??
Either_Basil_6960@reddit
who?
PreferenceAny3920@reddit
Who do you think??
Either_Basil_6960@reddit
no, who asked?
PreferenceAny3920@reddit
Are you dumb?
StarlightNecromancer@reddit
We're about to hit a fuel crisis, bikes don't need special papers
ebike is just reasonable
PreferenceAny3920@reddit
yet they don’t need special papers yet unless these jackasses we keep voting in have their way.
Just-Smart-Enough@reddit
Go for a night ride in the forest on an e-bike. You'll see and hear so much more.
CavalierPumpkin@reddit
I ride both, and I wouldn't say that either is better across the board, just different. In the e-bike's favour, sometimes I actually want to _move_ if I'm going for a weekend joyride, and pedal-assist lets me calibrate that to exactly how much I want to move on a given day. Plus, for short trips around the neighbourhood, it's just a lot less time and effort to get suited up for an e-bike ride (although I recognize that this is a little subjective, since I'm ATGATT on my motorcycle and generally content with just a helmet on my e-bike if the weather's good).
PopularWave8731@reddit
I would be locked up if I did the same shit on my ebike with a motorcycle. Or be dead.
Brewna@reddit
Yessssssssssss
SSJ4_cyclist@reddit
Motorcyclists have been like this for ages
TheDinerRoadster@reddit
I'm an avid motorcyclist. I currently own 5 motorcycles. I've toured most of the USA and five outer countries. I raced for 15 years. My two car garage has no cars in it, it's a dedicated shop space and storage for my motorcycles and my wife's motorcycles.
Since buying my ebike two years ago I've ridden a motorcycle to work maybe 10 times total and I used to commute by motorcycle almost daily from the first day the salt is washed off the streets until it snows.
migrainefog@reddit
Do you mind sharing which ebike you got that you're happy with? What are its shortcomings and strengths?
Halcyon-OS851@reddit
What do you do when your ebike maxes out at 35 mph and you're on a 60mph road with no shoulder?
Faicc@reddit
How come? I plan to switch to a motorcycle from my ebike primarily for speed and range. Wouldn’t you want those?
TBL34@reddit
I’m assuming his commute is pretty short.
TheDinerRoadster@reddit
On the motorcycle the most practical route is 28 miles each way. Mostly highway miles. The AM commute takes 25 to 30 minutes, PM can be anywhere from 40 to an hour.
On the ebike it's 18.5 miles each way. AM is about an hour, PM 1:10 to 1:20 depending on wind direction. There are four at grade rail crossings on the bicycle route which can make things interesting.
Faicc@reddit
So.. why? Haha i dont get it. Is it just more enjoyable?
TBL34@reddit
I stand corrected. I just figured the commute was so short, it was less hassle to ride the bike. Doubling your commute time in the morning means you really like biking lol.
Legitimate_Guava3206@reddit
I rode motorcycles for years. My favorite thing about my ebike (and our EV)? The near silence.
Out in the country I sneak up on all sorts of wildlife. I hear the birds. I hear the wind move the trees and the grasses. And I smell things that I couldn't smell on the motorcycle at low speeds - at low speeds I was always getting a bit of exhaust along with nature.
This is what our ancestors were getting out of life back in the day - a go slow experience with all the sensory stuff thrown in for free. They had the time to look around and be part of the place.
Very different from driving a car or rumbling through on a motorcycle. Both tend to isolate a person from the outside. Maybe that's good in downtown wherever. It's bad in natural places IMHO.
Jbikecommuter@reddit
E-bikes are addictive and way faster than cars for short trips👍
Head_Adhesiveness775@reddit
Off-road cycling is pretty sick and I think it's super fun! lol
TMJ848@reddit
Late night rides are the best
DG04511@reddit
Early morning pre-dawn rides are even better.
specialsymbol@reddit
No, early morning rides just before sunrise, when the sky already gets light, are even better!
madcollin1@reddit
No, dusk rides are better.
wedstrom@reddit
Yes and*
redditexcel@reddit
The IMPROV core tactic for the win!
ElectroNight@reddit
Way less dunk drivers
Suit_Responsible@reddit
Just be careful out there twilight is statistically the most dangerous time to ride
EnthusiasticBore@reddit
No, twilight rides are better.
FluxyyVR@reddit
Yes and*
Same_Bit2000@reddit
To dangerous for me to ride at this time I would be very tired to stay up all night, for the ride. I sure don’t wake up at that time
Guess I’ll do the sunset ride
specialsymbol@reddit
Alarm clocks do exist ;)
Same_Bit2000@reddit
That’s why I have a big hole in my bedroom wall
SnuffyMcfluff@reddit
They are tied for first.
someones_reality@reddit
Yep, I figure it's the closest most people will ever come to flying through outer space. Finding somewhere for a cheeky late night snack on the way back is always good too.
SpegalDev@reddit
11pm rides are my favorite. Nearly all of the stop lights in my city become blinking yellows so I can just cruise the entire time and never really have to stop or slow down. No traffic as well, so it's just perfect head clearing time. Listen to my music, zone out (as much as safely possible), cruise the road.
Cute_Preference_8213@reddit
Cool air low traffic just so stunning and peaceful
eskimoboytim@reddit
Summer late night rides are the best. Where it's still warm, but has cooled off from the heat of the day... Goldilocks temp essentially. On those rides home I get so tempted to hop the neighborhood pool fences and take a dip like the good old days (and occasionally indulge myself haha).
Akwardlynamedwolfman@reddit
Late night high speed runs?
Butwhatif77@reddit
Completely agree. In a residential area with no cars on the road, you can just ride and relax. The weather is usually better too with the sun down and going fast enough to keep you cool.
Intrepid_Writing7078@reddit
Yes!
Snoo-90652@reddit
Love my E-bike - amazing for most trips and my mini hybrid car which I use to commute for work outside of the city!
scifigirl1979@reddit
It’s the best till you need to pick up something bigger than your baskets
AristotelesQC@reddit
r/carryshitolympics
RevolutionaryCost59@reddit
I find ebike to be very useful of where I live. Sicilian towns have so many hills
jwcole1956@reddit
I just rode 20 mile round trip to my physical therapist and I filled up my pickup for the first time in 2.5 months. I have just over 1700 since January 1 on my bike, mostly errands.
Yami-sama@reddit
Shortly after I moved when I was still at my old job, my commute to work was about 3 miles. I got off work right during rush hour and the only street leading off the island (inland in the city but surrounded by small rivers) was 1 lane per direction at each bridge. In a car itd take me 30 minutes just to get the 2 blocks from my site to the other side of the bridge. On my ebike, I was home in 9-10 mins. It became my main commuter until it hit under 20°
ResponsibleGarden424@reddit
Agreed. My 530am rides are just me and my thoughts
AffectionateRun4063@reddit
It’s a lot cheaper to ride an e-bike than to drive a car. And the wind feels great blowing in your face.
samsonsu@reddit
I agree!
The only concern I have are those accessories on my bike when parked. I am removing my $150 Varia and my pannier bag every time I go into a store no matter how quick I shop. People here steal everything. I once parked my manual bike at the entrance of a library, where I thought was safe enough as there are people coming and going all the time. Came out after an hour with a bare bike with everything else stolen: lights, bell, phone mount, saddle bag and top tube bag (with a multi tool inside it). Luckily I locked both the frame and front wheel otherwise I bet my front wheel would be gone too (it’s a QR axle).
This is why I got a Brompton bike for short errands. I bring it with me anywhere i go
skippytheowl@reddit
I’ve roughly 28,000 km since 2020 June on my ebikes, and have out maybe 900 km on my car…time to sell my car.
npg86@reddit
Yup! I'll be asking the wife if she needs anything from the grocery. Limit to one bag lol 🤣
themajordutch@reddit
I live in a big city and early morning rides are the best...right at dawn just before the sun is coming up...no cars..well not many and mostly open city streets. It's an amazing way to start the day.
chrispark70@reddit
I should leave instructions in my house that should I ever leave my house to buy a made cup of coffee (double if from a coffee shop and not wawa) to have me committed to a funny farm.
JustAskDave2022@reddit
We bought ours to replace our Mountain bikes just after we started our 3 year trip around Australia in the caravan. We went from 10 to 15 km rides to 50 to 60km rides. Were able to travel heaps further into areas we would not have normally seen. That was on fully EN15194 compliant bikes. Did about 3000km over the 2.5 years we were travelling with them. Still use now back home
Charming-Trust2822@reddit
Every time is a great time ! You are on a bike ! It’s always been FREEDOM ! From 7 to 70 and beyond ! Do it today !🏆❤️😎
fhgwgadsbbq@reddit
Hell yeah it is. But also, no one told you that? It's one of my main ebike evangelizing points! 😄
kurisu7885@reddit
I did one of my first night rides not too long ago and it was exhilarating, and was cool to make used of my trike's lighting system. Now I'm looking at spoke lights.
Klutzy-Peach5949@reddit
Anyone else too worried someone is gonna nick your bike to leave it outside
Salty-Contact-6420@reddit
Same here. Every morning I run to dollar general on it for energy drinks and whatever else. Also got a gas station. Don't have anything else within 3 miles. I'd have to drive 3 miles down a busy highway to access anything else. If I go about 5 I got a Walmart and everything in middle of town. Risk of being seen by a cop is too high. Are these allowed on the road as bicycles or not?
Extension-Version813@reddit
And with a motorcycle, suddenly ALL car trips can be done on 2 wheels
Amareto_83@reddit
Mine just got stolen where I should check out to see it became on sale. Do you know what they do with them?
KostyaFedot@reddit
As long as no load of rain and it is not cold and dark...
I have car, e-bicycle and ice scooter. If weather is good, ice scooter is the winner.
I'm only using e-bicycle for officially paid commute. It is easy to lock at the gated storage near train station.
agradus@reddit
Rain, cold, and dark is not a problem. You just need lights and clothes for the season.
Ice and snow could be an issue. But it depends on climate, and, even more importantly, on city services.
All that could be scratched if you city doesn't have safe infrastructure. But it is unsafe in every weather then. Weather is just an additional factor.
KostyaFedot@reddit
Yes, if it is short ride, it is less lottery in the dark.
I was next to only adult going on short rides in 120K heads count Canadian town. Despite usable cycling structure, except bike racks for parking.
One of the reasons I left it for Europe.
Don't buy ice scooter where, it is even more addictive than e-bicycle :)
agradus@reddit
There is usually less than two weeks of snow in the city I live combined (this winter, however, was long, cold, and snowy).
Hungry_Freaks_Daddy@reddit
I’ve only had mine for a couple weeks and until I get my mirrors and AirTag on it I’ve just enjoyed riding around my neighborhood
Brilliant_Andrews126@reddit
Still, a bike is different from a car, so you feel more free, that's how it is for me
Reddit_Throwaway_899@reddit
What kind of bag do you use for grocery runs? I'm able to put a few small things in my backpack, but I couldn't carry a gallon of milk or loaf of bread in there.
macsparkay@reddit
Totally agree, but I have severe fear of theft as my ebike was quite expensive. I have a decent kryptonite lock and my ebike has a GPS tracker, but I still worry. How do I get over that part?
Clear_Assistant8690@reddit
100% me as well 😄. Ebike is making commuting fun again.
EndPsychological7992@reddit
Ride to ride, be it in day light, or the darkness of night has historically made my life richer and more memorable. Sunsets, sunrises, late night excursions, early morning outings, or commuting throughout the day, the riding experience for myself is a form of joy, beyond that, all else is a bonus.
electricbikerider1@reddit
In the dark in the middle of nowhere with a big powerful light up front is amazing
Fasciadepedra@reddit
An ebike has much more to do with replacing a small motorcycle than a bicycle. A bicycle is very light, you can get it inside anywhere to store it, and you'll exercise a lot using it, comparing it to walk is much faster. An ebike is heavy for picking it up, you can ride without exercising or sweating, but has more failures. Honestly I think a moped will be more useful as a tool depending on regulations on both things in your area. A moped is usually a much better luggage carrier and better to go in road traffic.
Using a regular road bike for small trips, which is light, efficicient, but has thin tyres for efficiency, and no suspension, is more fun if you are fit enough and in flat places a much better idea usually. But in many cases will make you sweat your clothes if you go anywhere. And bicycles are always a bit scary in traffic as they are to flimsy and lack features like good lights, multiple mirrors, or noise to get noticed.
BVLsolarEV@reddit
In many places mopeds are plated and insured, they aren't allowed in bike lanes, sidewalks or shared use trails, and they don't go much faster than a class 3 ebike. Some ebikes have mounts for front and rear baskets/racks, giving them a similar cargo capacity to an average moped.
The gas powered moped's advantage over an ebike is not having to charge it, which is a significant factor on longer rides. There are workarounds though, dual batteries, solar panels, chargepoint adapters, etc..
Legitimate_Guava3206@reddit
The problem with mopeds is they wear out in creative ways. Quite expensive and complicated to repair for the average person. An ebike - if the right one is chosen - is full of commodity ebike parts that can easily be replaced or upgraded as they wear out. Buy something with a Bafang driveline for example.
My BBSHD on an old Trek mtn bike has over 4000 miles on it now. Nothing really wrong with it. Tonight I need to replace a couple of spokes where my chain hopped behind the cassette. Other than that, it just keeps going. I'm even on the original battery at this point b/c I mostly charge it to 80%.
As nice as the famous brand bikes are, I do worry about needing repairs for a bike full of proprietary parts for which I can not get affordable parts for in a decade or can't get parts for at all. I'd love to have a Trek commuter bike but it's pretty rich for my tax bracket i.e. married with kids and a mortgage.
terraherts@reddit
That's one of the biggest reasons I went DIY, especially after a disastrous experience with my first ebike almost 10 years ago. It was from a well-known German brand, but getting any kind of support from them was nigh-impossible and I never wanted to be stuck in that position again for something as critical as my primary transportation bike.
terraherts@reddit
I'm so tired of people who seem incapable of comprehending a bicycle as anything but a fitness/recreation device.
Plenty of ebikes are still relatively lightweight, and even the heavier ones are often much lighter, smaller, and simpler than gas-powered anything. And gas mopeds already might as well not exist in much of the US due to archaic laws.
PreferenceAny3920@reddit
Why are you IN this group LMAO!
phil123_123@reddit
Ha - there's a good set of posts in this group that I randomly jump into, even if lots of stuff isn't related to my use cases at all! Interesting to nosey around with what others are doing with e-bikes!
phil123_123@reddit
You don't have to get an e-bike that looks like a moped/scooter/notorbike. My e-bike weighs 15 kg (including the small battery which is built into frame), has slim city bike tyres and is actually much lighter than my old mountain bike from 2 bikes ago and only 1kg heavier than the hybrid city bike it replaced.
I easily lift my bike to 3rd floor flat when I don't want to keep it in garden under covers anymore. I guess point of my rambling comment is that e-bikes come in all sorts of sizes and forms!
letanard@reddit
Night ride with kickass battery powered lights that never go out.
deedubcee@reddit
That is me with my OneWheel.
CompetitiveOven2110@reddit
My commute is at 10 pm. Now it's getting warmer before I only had to worry about the bunny rabbits juking and jiving.
This is on the bike path. Called the Rock Island Trail. The peace is immensely calm
All of the sudden in the dark of night. A couple of randos popped up on the wrong side of the path in dark clothing.
They had a camera set up on a tri pod. Filming a guy crossing the bridge. The bridge goes way up and way down.
Seen them at the last second. Today I wonder if they kept me in the shot.
To be honest while night rides are great. Day break has got to be better!!
Ebb3ka94@reddit
Nothing better than being bored at midnight and being out till 3:00 a.m. when I have work at 9:00 I especially like going out
Ok_Armadillo_1336@reddit
I want to do this. Thanks for the idea.
Might play a different game, though :-P
Physical_Delivery853@reddit
Yes, first I bought a cargo ebike for small grocery runs, now I have 3 baskets & can carry 5-6 bags. Then I bought a 27" Ebike with longer range to go to Dr Appointments. I haven't touched my 3 cars in over a month & I figured I've saved $140 in gas to boot 🔥🥳🔥🔥
rfie@reddit
Already feel the same way about my regular non electric bikes.
Vomath@reddit
I love blasting past a line of cases stuck in traffic
banned_reddit-user@reddit
And no traffic during commute (using sidewalks obviously)
DocMacgyver107@reddit
I love making grocery runs or small tool purchases with my e-bike. I've only got 3 mi to town from my house with a couple of hills, so it's easy.
fredcracklin@reddit
I think about it but I’m afraid of thieves.
Train_addict_71@reddit
It’s awesome!! Even friends that were once too far to bike too I can bike to now
miknob@reddit
I’ve always had theft anxiety even with my regular old bikes. Got my ebike in ‘21 and am starting to get over it. Mostly rode just for exercise and enjoyment but am doing more errands now.
Fit-Albatross-735@reddit
must be nice lol, I live in ireland so it rains all day
realitypater@reddit
100%. If I can carry it in my backpack, pannier, or rack, I use the bike if the destination is within 7 miles of home.
scifigirl1979@reddit
PARKING!!!!!!!!
scifigirl1979@reddit
Also I ride w a group once a week and have been for about 4 years it has given me so much more confidence to wander on my own. Mine did replace my car in 2021 so I commute 30+ miles a day on mine and still love a random ride alone or w friends
GetOffMy3Inches@reddit
Same boat but don't got a good lock yet so to scared to leave it yet but once I do already know bought to be anywhere I go lol already riding it everyday so far
footballrocks88@reddit
This is why i own a e bike. It is a addiction
filmguy5@reddit
Same. My spouse told me she needed allergy medication at 9pm…. And 5 minutes later I was enjoying a 4 mile night ride to Walgreens. I now bike 5 mile my work commute. I even bought a small garage door opener attached to my bike.
WTFSonos@reddit
Yes! I recently figured out how to put it on the bus and unlock the entire city I live in.
Its like being a kid on a BMX in the 80s and exploring the whole small town all over again.
JeremyFromKenosha@reddit
Yes. Except the guys who buy the $10k sporty ones, I think that's most of us.
For my wife, she suddenly wanted to join club rides, because they could be social.
I want to replace all my errands, and I'm starting to worry about the gas in my car going bad over the summer.
I think it's going to happen to a LOT of people, which hopefully increases demand for proper bike infrastructure.
The downside is more and more regulation on them; muggle bikes will become The Secret Weapon, the only way to avoid being taxed by licensing and insurance.
ApprehensiveLion67@reddit
There’s definitely some alluring charm to slowing down a bit and having the wind on your face… being able to take in your surroundings more as well, since you’re probably generally going slower than cars
comineeyeaha@reddit
A few days ago I decided I was going to go for a quick ride on my day off. I ended up doing 35 miles and was out for around 4 hours. There are days where I feel like I could ride forever.
sestr1@reddit
Yup
TheEvilBlight@reddit
I’m on the fence for my next bike: either a folding e-bike more portable than the diamond frame or going bigger with a cargo e-bike. Decisions decisions
RockHead-MA@reddit
I got my first ebike last August through a state voucher program, so only about $300 for a nice Velotric. I wasn't sure that I would take to it, so I didn't want to drop $1600 out of pocket. It turns out that I commute and run nearly all my errands on an ebike. I love it. Even in single digit temps during the winter.
I bought my S.O. a matching broken ebike for Christmas, $500 all in after I fixed it. I recently spent nearly $2000 on an even lighter, sportier, faster, all carbon fiber ebike, and converting it from flat bars to drop bars.
I drove my car yesterday for the first time in weeks, it felt super weird! It was for a good cause, picking up a Tern folding bike for the times that I need to commute by train during rush hour and can't bring a full sized, fixed ebike.
I find myself moving every closer to car free from car light. And I love cars, I'm a car enthusiast with 3 cars and a truck!
adfunkedesign@reddit
Don't make a mistake.
Due_Move6507@reddit
OMG. This. I’m a long time distance cyclist who has been away from the sport for a while due to health issues.
I decided to get a couple of lectric bikes for my wife and I. As a non-cyclist and a 2 times cancer survivor she asked for the trike.
She asks to ride every night. And when we’re out she asks to do one more circuit around the neighborhood after we come back from our original ride. She says she daydreams about it.
This is the kind of problem I want e-bikes to be.
Ecstatic_Wishbone609@reddit
Thank you.
BeccaMH66@reddit
This is making me want an e-bike even more! Hoping to buy one this Spring or Summer..
Born-Conclusion1977@reddit
When the weather is nice I use my e-bike instead of the car all the time for short runs like going to the post office or going to the convenience store.
Legitimate_Guava3206@reddit
I felt the same way about our used EV car. Didn't buy it to be our primary vehicle. I bought it to be our commuter. When I need to go somewhere - I choose the EV first. Now it does 99% of our miles. Kind of small, not as quiet as fancy EVs - but we love it all the same.
I feel the same way about our ebikes too. We are rural so riding to the corner store isn't a thing but I do bring it to work on the car so I can ride around town during lunch. I can go pay a couple of bills (rather than mailing them). I can pickup library books/movies/music. Or have lunch somewhere. All excuses for riding that ebike.
Own-Locksmith7607@reddit
I bought mine for this purpose, in light of rising gas prices, and I am loving it
wisemonkey101@reddit
I call mine the grocery getter. If something compels me to drive for groceries I am sad.
junxxxxxxx@reddit
i load up my front basket, and a backpack before i succumb to the car grocery trip at this point.
then repeat every few days lmao
DDDX_cro@reddit
well...ofc. That IS why you got it, right? To get to places?
Not only that, but you are now MORE inclined to do errands, because it just means hopping on your bike, taking the shortest route, no parking fuss :)
Apart_External_6103@reddit
K
Small-Explorer7025@reddit
What bike do you have?
02421006@reddit
Not gonna happen. Latest when it’s cold or bad weather I’ll take my e-car (Ev). Also if I have to transport something. It’s just not practical enough.
greybeard1363@reddit
Oh, I knew after my first ride while on vacation that I needed to own one of these. After not having ridden a bike for decades, and remembering how much I loved riding my analog bikes, I knew. I knew.
Hotboi_yata@reddit
I mean its the whole point of having a bike
st1dge@reddit
Great to see you essentially becoming Dutch 😈
plaidtaco@reddit
you are not made of sugar
LifeAfterDeath_Taxes@reddit
Honestly I have never driven but I agree with how addictive an ebike is. I loved my old analog and, when I have more space for bike storage, intend to get a new one in addition to my ebike, but dang is an ebike just the most fun a mode of transportation can be. I have this beautiful nature-filled trail I used to go get groceries and on a beautiful day on my bike, I genuinely feel like there is nothing better.
Cycling for errands, ebike or not, has really made me look forward to the mundane and things I previously would have dreaded (like getting groceries).
mickeyaaaa@reddit
I'm kind of worried I won't want to ride my motorcycle.....
czarface404@reddit
As long as you wear a helmet. ;)
CommonRegionals@reddit
It’s funny how quickly an e-bike becomes the default choice for all those little trips and once you get used to it the car almost feels like overkill for short errands now...
tokin247@reddit
How do you feel about it getting stolen? I don't imagine you bring it inside anywhere so I'm guessing you're using a u lock or something similar?
_haha_oh_wow_@reddit
Yep, sometimes I just make up places to go so I can ride my bike or e-bike.
download13@reddit
Yeah, I realized my car had been sitting for a year and sold it. Just didn't want it to be my problem anymore.
Hashtag_Labotomy@reddit
We don't have much bike infrastructure where I'm at so a lot of my trips are on the road, which is perfectly legal here. I also have a motorcycle. An old Kawasaki klr650. And with either ya gotta watch out but I find my ebike to be much easier to get around and dash on by far. So once a person gets used to being on the road and watching out, it's way funnier than anything else. Me and the kids go find subdivisions that are built or being built that have fields with mounds of dirt or gravel and go have fun. We have a really big one right behind my house. I need to take some pictures and show everyone cause it's a blast. Behind it is a big power line run that has a trail on it too that's got jumps and stuff. My daughter is such a little adrenaline junky when it comes to her mountain bike and my ebike allows me to go with her and not be worn out. After a couple hours we ride home and I open the phone and dash a couple orders after I dropped her off. Ya can't do that on anything but a bicycle here, so it works out really well. My wife and the 2 other kids come with us sometimes or we take a lunch and a folding 150watt solar panel with us and go hit up the parks, ride by the river and just have a good time. The solar panel lets us charge the phones, Bluetooth speaker, kids bike lights or whatever we need.
Some times we go to the store and do 90% of our grocery shopping and put it all on the cargo ebikes. We both have had 150lbs a piece on our bikes coming home. So that's probably about 350lbs not including the bike itself. We even built a little bike trailer and sometimes put the 2 youngest bikes on there and all head out to a chat dump or river road to cruise around. Our oldest is 16 so she don't always wanna go but the other 2 (12,13) will ride with us on the ebikes till we get to the place we want to play around. We have debated on whether or not we wanna go down to the lakes and boondock this summer a time or two with the kids. We have 2 smaller solar generators that I think would give us all the power we need. There ain't much we ain't done with them. They ain't mtb's, emotos, super73 style. They are just big heavy 60ah cargo bikes but they get the job done. I wish they would make an accessory like WALKE has where you can use the battery as a power source too. Would be nice for overnight trips by the lake.
VantoFL300@reddit
Truly no better way to get around in the city, I will never go back to a car.
nomedent@reddit
Next step is to get a cheap used single speed analog bike. Light as a feather and all that motor assist pedalling makes for stronger legs. Some quick trips are easier with a zippy light bombproof trad bike.
Amazing_Moose906@reddit
Yep , although these days more on a analog bike due to the ebike .
Willing-Aide476@reddit
Owning an e-bike and replacing almost all my own car journeys has made me lament the idea of a car
BVLsolarEV@reddit
For me it was very much intentional. Working a dead end job to pay off an unreliable used car that you need to get to work is an endless cycle of misery.
I switched from comparing auto loan rates, to researching ebikes. I wasn't even thinking about how much fun it would be, just how to stretch a tiny little paycheck.
It is so much fun, saves time in high traffic areas, and has been great for my health. Aside from saving money, I never could have built or serviced a car in my kitchen but ebikes turned that garage daydream into actual projects I can do in the space I already have.
MGEezy89@reddit
I don’t have a car and having a scooter and two e-bikes and planning to get a third because my second one is a Chinese piece of crap is really making me not want a car at all.
nivaOne@reddit
All your bikes now and in the future will probably be Chinese. Do you mean if bought directly from China, it is crap. And bought from a dealer in a store it is good? Wait! Are you in active in the bicycle industry?
MGEezy89@reddit
Bluvall k10. It’s a dual motor dual battery e-bike. The wheels came with regular bike spokes instead of 12 gauge spokes. I ended up breaking most of the from just riding. The bottom battery Doesnt make a connection to the cradle so I don’t even get power from it and all the bolts have started to rust and I only have had it for two months and a day now. Company tried to gas light me in a video I sent them and won’t respond anymore.
Fair-Discipline-1005@reddit
I agree with You 100%...😀
Feeling_Bench8719@reddit
do u have anyone to have sex with?
BastianHill@reddit
Jup, she also has an e-bike
Feeling_Bench8719@reddit
So cute
BastianHill@reddit
Thx
Feeling_Bench8719@reddit
Anytime
gaspig70@reddit
I actually bought an e-bike to replace my car for local errands and fun, especially when the weather is cold and wet and I'm being to much of a wuss to ride my other bikes.
IncaThink@reddit
Two years later I am STILL getting used to the way it changes my travel habits.
I love it.
Reelair@reddit
For me it's the induces smile. As a daily analog bicycle commuter, getting on my ebike in my free time puts the biggest smile on my face.
specialsymbol@reddit
Yes. Until you bike gets stolen. Then you will turn into a bitter misanthropist.
Just-Smart-Enough@reddit
Ha ha! That's my starting point!
HTLL_OFFICIAL@reddit
You needed a bike stolen to turn you into that? Rookie numbers.
VirtualElderberry592@reddit
I got a new BMX.. not e-bike but it's happened to me. All the little car trips are now bike trips. Woot to ebikes for giving that same vibe.
esh-pmc@reddit
Yup! I bought my first ebike in late 2018. Our youngest had just moved out, and like their older siblings, had taken the older of our two cars with them. I refused to buy another car. So I bought an ebike thinking it could serve in a pinch on those rare occasions when spouse and I both needed to be in different places at the same time. I was radicalized almost immediately. I started manufacturing errands just for an excuse to ride. Now I have 3 ebikes of very different styles and I ride nearly everywhere, in all weather. I used ½ tank of gas in the first 3 months of the year; in that same time I put \~500 miles on my bikes.
Signal_Waltz2391@reddit
In my area it would be stolen in under a minute after you left it, locked or not.
atlasraven@reddit
Welcome to r/fuckcars
HTLL_OFFICIAL@reddit
before ebike, chop wood, carry water. After ebike, chop wood, carry water. - Ancient Zen proverb
Big_footed_hobbit@reddit
Bought one with my gf. No more searching for a parking spot. And you can zip around town way faster.
I got an additional flat rate for public transport. Depending on the time an additional adult or kids can travel for free. We sold now one car.
(Bikes here are pedal assisted, else they’d be classified as motorbike)
Tarvonae@reddit
yeah same i ebike to the corner store now even in the rain