Why do people have issues with e-bikes?

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LFwitch_hunter@reddit

It's the argument of paying registration to use the roads. Those dickheads believe that if they have to pay registration to use their vehicles on the road, the cyclists should have to as well. And they also believe that if they want to use it, they should be able to keep up with traffic and not trundle along at slow speeds.

It's purely a case of entitlement with angry drivers who have a grudge against pack cyclists in Lycra "hogging the roads" for the 4 hours in the morning they're typically on normal roads on weekends

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James-B0ndage@reddit

Get yourself an air horn so you can honk back

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nkarr1@reddit

Get yourself a glock 19 and when someone throws something at you.. show that to them...

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cringeisthename@reddit

If cars are passing you going 55 plus and you're going 20..... You see where I'm going?

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sanjuro_kurosawa@reddit

Ok, uh what kind of ebike do you have? What speed are you doing during your 60 minute commute? And what is the speed limit of the streets you are riding on?

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mil0wCS@reddit (OP)

20mph. And I talked to the sheriff and they said e-bikes and regular bikes were perfectly okay on this highway even though speed limit is 55mph.

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Gold_Area5109@reddit

Typically the cut off legally is 50mph, but on rural roads I've done the same.

It has nothing to do with whatever is legal, and everything to do with anything that inconveniences them at all or challenges their beliefs and makes them feel uncomfortable.

I get honked at, flipped off, and people that pass where they shouldn't. I've seen people make bad passes with scant feet to spare.

I've had worse than honking when I was riding an eskate last summer and a truck decided they were going to make a close pass ,even though I was on the shoulder in what was a bike lane, they clipped my backpack with their mirror. Almost throwing me off the bridge into a creek. So yeah straight up assholes exist too.

Also there is a house on my commute where a man child screams when I ride past.

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OmnipresentPheasant@reddit

Toss some mint seeds into their lawn.

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Ranccor@reddit

Had a guy almost hit me while passing the other day so that he could get to the stop light 2 seconds faster. I rolled up and knocked on his window asking him to be more careful, of course he threatened to “beat my ass”. Didn’t like getting told he was an asshole and responded by being a bigger asshole.

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sanjuro_kurosawa@reddit

Ok...

Are you riding on the shoulder? How wide is the shoulder?

First, there is no vehicle, gas, electric, or foot-powered; two or four wheels, that is permitted to operate at 20mph on a road when the speed limit is 55, unless there is an emergency and the vehicle is going to exit as soon as possible.

However, you can ride on roadway shoulder if that is permitted on this road. That's not always the case.

Now this is key for riders of any type of two wheel vehicle: cars may pass very closely, even when the bikes are in the bike lane or shoulder. That's illegal in most states but some drivers don't care about giving riders a passing margin.

Conversely, riders should probably avoid roads where there isn't a wide lane for them. I just rode a street with no bike lane: I didn't like how close cars were passing, so I moved over to a street with a lane and felt safer.

It isn't fair; drivers should give you a gap or not pass until they can; and they shouldn't honk or yell at you. But it does happen.

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iH8MotherTeresa@reddit

Conversely, riders should probably avoid roads where there isn't a wide lane for them. I just rode a street with no bike lane: I didn't like how close cars were passing, so I moved over to a street with a lane and felt safer.

Riders have the rights and responsibilities of a driver. If you don't have a cushion with a shoulders take the whole lane. Drivers can't pass too closely if they can't pass.

It sounds like you could use some tips riding in traffic.

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SamosaPandit@reddit

Cyclists shouldn’t be playing “I’m allowed to” with people driving at high speeds in multi-thousand pound vehicles. Some people are crazy and won’t bat an eye over swerving around a cyclist and bullying them off the road.

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SuitableRecord3823@reddit

agreed. I don't like being yelled at by people for riding on the sidewalk(carefully, stopping when I see people approaching and giving room for them to pass,) but I'd much rather be yelled at by other pedestrians than someone in a multi-ton vehicle who could run me over by simply moving their steering wheel. with very very limited bikes lanes on my city, I ride as close to the curb as possible on streets and swap to the sidewalk when traffic gets worse or once I see someone driving in a way I know is erratic or potentially dangerous. I've been hit by 2 cars while following road laws to a tee.

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sanjuro_kurosawa@reddit

I love to hear your tips in traffic. I was a NYC bicycle messenger and rode a motorcycle to Alaska, so please can you describe your experience level before giving me tips about how to lane split taxis and cruise the Denali Highway?

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mil0wCS@reddit (OP)

I’m riding on the edge of the road, I try to stay as close to the edge as I can. I’ve called the sheriff and she said it was perfectly fine for me to ride this road and I’ve even seen several police officers and multiple sheriffs pass me on the road and I never had a single issue with any of them. I made sure it was legal before actually riding the road.

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SamosaPandit@reddit

If you’re blocking traffic I can kind of understand why people are upset (that doesn’t at all justify their behavior towards you though)

This is sort of one of those things where just because it’s legal doesn’t mean you should be doing it. Riding bikes on highways that don’t have dedicated bike lines or greenways/sidewalks they’re authorized to use is always dangerous.

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Comfortable-Fly5797@reddit

Riding too close to the edge will encourage people to pass too close.

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TBL34@reddit

It’s legal where I live too but a girl was just hit and killed on her way to work recently. There’s too many distractions in vehicles today. I wouldn’t ride on a 55mph road for long if I had the choice. If you really need to, I’d wear the most visible gear with a flashing light vest or something.

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Blitqz21l@reddit

Probably depends on the local laws and the actual type of road. Rural 'highway' type are where tons of group rides happen. I think the ban is technically considered freeways esp for inner-city type driving or maybe interstate freeways as well. But side highways i think its legal in a lot of states.

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DonnPT@reddit

This may vary depending on where you are. Where I'm from on the west coast, there are a lot of 55 roads. Washington State prohibits bicycles on certain limited access roadways, but it even allows bicycles on probably the majority of the west coast interstate highway I5.

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sanjuro_kurosawa@reddit

Also what road is this? As someone who has interfaced with the police many times, they are not always accurate about bike rules. You look up online exact the rules are for a particular road, region, and state.

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East_Worldliness2287@reddit

Is there a shoulder ?

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stormdelta@reddit

None of that matters to the kinds of dickheads that harass cyclists. The only factor is whether you're more or less likely to run into them.

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FullMeltAlkmst@reddit

I was riding once minding my business and a Toyota Tacoma turned around to chase me with a loud speaker. He yelled something but was definitely harassment.

Another driver passed me doing 70 just to try and scare me, I got that on video. People get jealous that some e bikes can commute alongside.

Most drivers slow down next to me in the bike lane and I assume they’re clocking my speed. On the sidewalk I’ll go slow and some people are just irritated they have to step aside but majority do not care.

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sanjuro_kurosawa@reddit

While that's true, we don't know that's what happened.

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Bird_In_The_Cage@reddit

I think they believe that cycling is only for fitness where we have to work padding.

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bringbackrall@reddit

I’ve had people throw shit at me and honk even just walking down a street.

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Ramone45454@reddit

Get a good camera

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bringbackrall@reddit

This only happens when I’m on foot. I don’t tend to wear a helmet while walking

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OneDeep87@reddit

What kind of city you in where people throw things at pedestrians walking. I never thought about doing that or even knew people did that.

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OmnipresentPheasant@reddit

I've had a glass bottle thrown at me from a car in Ann Arbor, MI, hit by a big gulp in my hometown of Puyallup -- fortunately partially returned to sender in gridlock traffic. Also by a half-eaten burger in the same hometown when walking.

Here in Seattle I know a cyclist hospitalized for crashing after being hit by a weighted beanbag while descending Holgate off Beacon hill (the weights used to test backpacks). I've also in Seattle seen a MAGA sticker truck with a flag throw water bottles out of their window at a black family with kids under 4 years old.

Shitty driver behaviour will occur everywhere if you're out long enough. Being in a vehicle actually protects you from the shittiness of some vehicle operators.

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bringbackrall@reddit

It was Carlsbad New Mexico, probably one of the worst places I’ve ever lived. The caverns are really cool though.

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lefibonacci@reddit

I had it happen in Vegas when I was a kid.

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AbraxasTuring@reddit

It's happened to me twice in 25 years in Silicon Valley. Usualy teenage boys.

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Ramone45454@reddit

Ah I just re read that lol

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bringbackrall@reddit

Happens to me all the time

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Ramone45454@reddit

That sucks. Yeah a lot of people are assholes your right

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inline-online@reddit

wrong, fitness cyclists get by far the most hate lol

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cultivatorsgtsnips@reddit

I only have an bike because I use it for commute. If I were just rolling the neighborhood or the GAP trail for fun and excersize it would be a nice mountain bike. But I need to be able to get to work on time and get home when I'm tired.

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whattteva@reddit

I saw someone posting on the cycling community reddit that people are apparently much nicer to him when he started wearing stars and stripes shirts and socks to ride his bike. Might want to give that a try.

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mil0wCS@reddit (OP)

I usually just wear a dress shirt and pants (work uniform) and my backpack which has a couple extra batteries for my bike. And it seems like people still like to act like dicks.

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whattteva@reddit

I don't think you get what I was hinting.

I don't know where you live. But my comment really refers more to US with the "stars and stripes" reference. The basic idea is, the dicks to cyclists usually tend to be republicans/MAGA crowd and they usually would identify anyone wearing the stars and stripes patterned gear as "one of their own" and, hence, act much nicer.

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Superb_Raccoon@reddit

You are smoking Crack.

I was far more abused by assholes on the road in california, even while in the bike lanes, than in Missouri.

Here, I am just another slow moving vehicle like farm equipment.

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whattteva@reddit

Lol. Yes, I am smoking something supported by evidence. I live in NYC. You know most of the groups who are always fighting new bike lane infrastructures? Also the same groups that are always fighting the congestion tolling? Ding ding. Usually republican-led groups.

Now, I'm obviously not saying 100% of them are. There are always exceptions you can find for almost anything., but the vast majority are.

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Superb_Raccoon@reddit

There are no Republicans in NYC. There are Democrats and Marxists.

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whattteva@reddit

Lawlz, you obviously live in la la land. There are no places that are 100% republicans or 100% democrats.

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Superb_Raccoon@reddit

Fine, they are rare as free parking spaces.

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EveryoneDice@reddit

That's very ignorant considering that New York has been completely destroyed by democrat policies and is completely overrun by illegals.

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whattteva@reddit

LMAO, reads exactly like how Fox News would preach it.

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FigNinja@reddit

California has plenty of MAGA folks, especially outside of the cities. I live in a city, and when there's an SUV illegally parked in the bike lane, you can safely bet what kind of bumper stickers it has.

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Superb_Raccoon@reddit

Co-exist?

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jerrrrrrrrrrrrry@reddit

Very few states had more Trump voters than California's six million plus.

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ohthedramaz@reddit

Innumeracy is going to kill us all. 🙄

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jerrrrrrrrrrrrry@reddit

I agree with you but my point was to the guy above who said he was treated badly on his bike in California insinuating that there were no Trumpers in the state meaning it must be liberals treating bicyclists badly.

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Slight_Nobody5343@reddit

dicks come in all shapes, sizes and creeds thats for sure. I find old farmers to be super safe with their duallys giving me lots of room (slow moving farm wxuipment is a good annalagy). Its there drunk step sons with clapped out suvs that give me the most scares.

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mil0wCS@reddit (OP)

Probably wouldn’t hurt. But could also be a bad thing as well. A lot of people in Illinois hate trump and if they thought I was maga I would probably get more hate. Already tons of trump hate In my city. I’m netrual and don’t really do political stuff so I try to stay out of it as much as possible

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whattteva@reddit

I think it wouldn't do any harm. People generally won't automatically link US flag to Trump supporter, but Trump supporters typically do (just look at all their merch), so honestly, it would do more good than harm.

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EveryoneDice@reddit

You have it completely reverse. A lot of US channels aren't even showing the US flag. In most democrat cities, most official buildings don't have a single US flag. And just looking at my own country, my own country's flag is being called an extremist rightwing symbol by mainstream TV, mainstream media and our own f***ing government. The only time it's even allowed on TV these days is King's day. It's the leftwing alone that has associated country's own flags with extremism. There's nothing wrong with national pride. People who are offended by the flag of the country they live in have no business living in that country.

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whattteva@reddit

So much rage in this. You don't even sound like you live here and you're spouting nonsense. ANd no one associates it with extremism, it's MAGA themselves that deface the flag by putting Trump in there and all sorts of other silly disrespectful things to the flag.

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HicDomusDei@reddit

I'm neutral

On the issue of a child rapist who threatens "nuclear holocaust"?

No, buddy. You picked a side.

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mil0wCS@reddit (OP)

I don’t pick sides. I’m not political. I don’t really follow politics for this reason.

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HicDomusDei@reddit

False. You picked a side.

Your neutrality in the face of horrors enables horrors.

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Soup_Du_Journey@reddit

I’ve genuinely never understood this argument. I know plenty of people who are so busy maintaining what they have going on in their own lives, they don’t even look into things like the absurdity of Trump or the legitimacy of claims against him. I’ve seen the content that gets pushed to them and it’s usually not the information you and I clearly see. Times are weird and I believe we need to show compassion and respect to the disenfranchised, disempowered, and misinformed.

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inline-online@reddit

if that same person was complaining about the left a few years ago then you know they are being dishonest

lots of trumpets decided to stop caring about politics all of a sudden, because they don't want to be held accountable for supporting that

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HicDomusDei@reddit

1) He didn't say, "I don't have enough information, therefore I don't have an opinion about this." He said, " I'm neutral."

2) The concept is straightforward. "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor."

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Soup_Du_Journey@reddit

You’re right, he didn’t say he doesn’t have information. He did he’s neutral and expressed concern for his safety for being perceived as choosing a side. That seems to be political disenfranchisement to me. Nothing human is ever simple and cutting off your nose to spite your face isn’t gonna win hearts and minds. I prefer to be the kind of compassionate that I want to see in the world. If we wield the hate that oppresses, we become oppressors.

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TBL34@reddit

You’ve been watching too much cnn dude. Believe it or not, there’s are a-hole libs too.

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EveryoneDice@reddit

I don't think democrats and liberals are capable of seeing that. That said, the people who still support Trump also aren't capable of seeing that. None of them can see things rationally. Trump broke practically all of his promises and is doing the reverse of many things he promised. Had he actually upheld them the US would've been a much better place, but at this rate he's just as quickly breaking it down as the presidents before him (both democrat and republican).

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TBL34@reddit

What does any of that have to do with the claim that all road ragers that hate bicycles are republican? I don’t agree with a lot of trumps actions but the tds on Reddit is astounding. If you only read Reddit, you’d think there’s no way over half the country voted for him.

The whole point of my reply was it’s idiotic to make some generalization of literally over half the voters. Honestly, it’s probably bots or foreign countries just stirring the pot to keep us all divided. I need to quit feeding the negativity and vote silently like I did before Reddit lol

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WillShakeSpear1@reddit

C’mon - dudes driving you off the road with their F150s are not usually libs. They’re MAGA morons

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TBL34@reddit

Who said anything about f150’s? You’re bias is showing

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BoringBob84@reddit

The parking lot at a Bernie Sanders rally is not filled with enormous emotional support trucks.

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TBL34@reddit

Bernie? The millionaire Socialist? Great comeback there 🤣

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Slight_Nobody5343@reddit

We welcome you into the bike community regardless of who you voted for chill out.

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TBL34@reddit

You giving that same comment to the others who suggested only conservatives yell at bicycles on the road? Funny you’re telling me to chill out when all I did was call ppl out for their clear biases. You’re goofy

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inline-online@reddit

libs aren't honking at cyclists lol they ARE cyclists

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Yo_Rio@reddit

No hate greater than from spandex “cyclists” if you ride a bike that doesn’t look like theirs; they often are unable to restrain from audibly expressing it. The blue team is actually way more prone to violence in 2026 than the republicans or the bloods for that matter 😆 a discussion of policy is met with offense for real 💯

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inline-online@reddit

everything you just said is incorrect and its quite literally the opposite lol

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TBL34@reddit

Well crap. Guess I should sell my Raleigh and two ebikes then.

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inline-online@reddit

yeah you should

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ItsMangel@reddit

wah buh both sides wah

Yeah, sure. But I guarantee the dickwads shitting on cyclists for no reason aren't liberals. Get real.

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pleakonfleek@reddit

This is actually kind of genius. I actually bought a MAGA hat from goodwill for a dollar and I keep it in my bike bag in case I have any run ins with the locals (South Carolina) I stole the idea from Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Have not had to use it yet.

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ImNotToby@reddit

Run ins with the locals. They are your neighbors, not your enemy. Grow the fuck up.

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Shadysoulja710@reddit

Worked for afroman

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Own-Swan2646@reddit

Da man.

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mister_k1@reddit

"couple extra batteries"??

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chocolateboomslang@reddit

Dumbass camo

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Physical_Delivery853@reddit

I've had the same issue since starting to ride my ebikes a few months ago.. I think it's bikes in general, the internet is full of videos showing cars intentionally forcing bicycles off the road. Some people think roads are only for cars or something. I've even been yelled at for riding my bike across the intersection in the crosswalk. Some people still think you have to walk your bike across an intersection... Be careful & very aware of your surroundings; I also ride assuming no cars see me.

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sangedered@reddit

Best thing you can do is ignore. You don’t know who’s packing or see you another day and try to hit you or run you off the road. You’re commuting so your time on that road is predictable.

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mil0wCS@reddit (OP)

I have had someone try to ram me off the road before on an exit and nearly hit me. People drive like idiots on the road sometimes. So I assumed people behave like this because they hate cyclists on the road. I’ve seen other Ebikers and even cyclists take this highway before as well within the last few days so I know I’m not the only biker who takes this road

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sangedered@reddit

There isn’t a good reason why motorist don’t like bicyclist. I really don’t know everyone’s particular case of hatred.

A lot of people are just dumb so it’s pointless trying to understand why.

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boncros@reddit

they are barely capable of the act of driving. you think they know anything about the laws? ignore

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m2keo@reddit

Don't take the highway dude. lol. Even if there's a tiny shoulder to the side, just don't do it.

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mil0wCS@reddit (OP)

I have to take the highway. The bike route in my area there are a few wild dogs I’ve had chase me on my bike and they can outrun my bike and I’m going 20mph. I’ve had a friend of mine get bit by the same dog (she rides a regular bike) it’s just too dangerous to ride the bike path

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BoringBob84@reddit

I have to take the highway.

For me, that would be a "show-stopper." As you are discovering, that is very dangerous. If I couldn't find a safer route, I would choose another form of transportation - maybe a small motorcycle.

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mil0wCS@reddit (OP)

I want to get a motorcycle eventually but as of right now ebike is my only way to get to and from work. I haven’t earned my drivers license. Honestly if I could afford a nicer ebike I would get one of the ones that could go 60mph if I had the funds right now if I wasn’t homeless at the moment

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BoringBob84@reddit

Damn, you are in a tough spot. Getting to work is extremely important. I hope your situation improves soon.

I think that a used motorcycle would be cheaper than a high-powered e-moto (which is illegal on public roads, so you would have risk there), but - like you said - you need your license first.

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mil0wCS@reddit (OP)

Yeah it will. I’m getting an apartment in 2 weeks already have been approved I’m just waiting for repairs. I won’t have to take this highway anymore. Idk why my other comment is being downvoted so much. I was being chased by a wild dog in the dark and the dog was faster than my ebike and I live in an extremely hilly mountain area. As to where as the highway is all just one flat road.

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gzSimulator@reddit

You’re getting downvoted because youre complaining about things you refuse to solve for yourself

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BoringBob84@reddit

Or some people are judging harshly without all of the facts.

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BoringBob84@reddit

Idk why my other comment is being downvoted so much. I was being chased by a wild dog

I think that people were reacting to their own perception that you thought the dog was more dangerous than the cars. I think I understood that you had additional reasons - like an enormous amount of extra commuting time to avoid the highway.

The ebike isn’t illegal on my route.

I am sorry if I implied that. I was saying that a fast / powerful e-moto would be illegal, which (depending on the police there) could cause more problems than it solves.

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mil0wCS@reddit (OP)

Yeah I at first started taking the bike route to avoid the highway. The time didn’t bother me at all. But the route i had to take was extremely dangerous and nearly killed me multiple times. It’s not exactly fun having to drive on gravel rocks for 7 miles and it’s incredibly dangerous doing it at full speed on an ebike. Plus having to worry about random dogs attacking you is why I decided to take the highway because I got tired of having to pedal plus fully rev my bike to escape the dogs.

It’s interesting how people will say that. But I guarantee if they took my route they would do the same thing. Because having to pedal for 30 miles wasn’t fun. But at least on the highway I can full rev my bike and not worry about it dying.

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gzSimulator@reddit

Guess your city’s pest control problem means cyclists aren’t able to live there, maybe ask the cops what they can do against a wild dog

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gzSimulator@reddit

If they’re wild, just give them a big carbon SPD kick in the face… if they aren’t afraid to run up to a human, they’re not going to survive a year near people anyways

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TeamSnake1@reddit

Hit by a car>dog bite. As rude as you've been to people trying to inform you, you should already know getting blasted by a vehicle going highway speeds while you're riding at 20 is far more dangerous than the possibility of wild dogs (what lol) running you down.

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mil0wCS@reddit (OP)

How have I been rude answering questions? Please explain? I’d rather get hit by a car than being chased by a physco dog for miles.

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m2keo@reddit

Either get a car or public transportation. How did u get to work before u started ebiking then?...

In any case, don't be that dude bicycling on a freaking highway, while somebody films u from their car, posts it on reddit, and hundreds of comments mocking u for being a crazy person.

E-Bicycling/e-scootering on a highway is one of those things, 'just because u can doesn't mean u should'. Highly dangerous and ill advisable.

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Comfortable-Fly5797@reddit

Depends on the highway... There's plenty of rural highways that are safe to ride on.

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m2keo@reddit

Yeah I'm wondering what type he's referring to specifically. Whether it's the rural, 1-2 lane going one way kind or the major freeway kind, 4-5 lanes, enter from the ramp, speeds up to 70mph in some parts.

In either case, I personally wouldn't do it. Even the rural kind could have hilly parts where cars won't be able to see something closing on them doing no more than 20mph while they're at least doing 60. A startled driver is nearly as dangerous as a distracted one imo.

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elektronicguy@reddit

I have been honked at all the time even in the crosswalk. Some people just suck. I have also found if a bike is going the speed limit on the street a drivers instincts are to pass you no matter how fast you go.

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ellipticorbit@reddit

Mental illness and/or cognitive impairment

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TopRepulsive4766@reddit

If you are a teenager, then I can see you going for the 'flip them off' option.

But as an adult, it's probably best to choose 'ignore it'.

When I ride at night I get a lot of honking and yelling. But it's a different type. I have a light system on my ebike that attracts quite a bit of attention. I usually wave or kid about racing them or something.

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mil0wCS@reddit (OP)

At night I never get honked at. But I have a different light setup. I have flashing hazard lights on my bike and people can usually tell it’s a bicycle.

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TopRepulsive4766@reddit

Yeah. Most of the people here know me and so they mess with me when they see me. I mess with them too, so I guess what goes around comes around as they say. I probably wouldn't get that much honking and yelling somewhere else.

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Lordly_Lobster@reddit

Ignore it. Responding in kind escalates the situation and you never know, someone could stop and want to fight you.

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ShutYourDumbUglyFace@reddit

People have issues with all bikes. They believe the road was built for them, them, and only them. They don't want to share.

If you're in the US, you should ignore them. They might have guns. They definitely have a 2-ton+ weapon they can ram you with. It's not worth your life at all.

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darforce@reddit

People don’t like bicycles in the road in theory impeding traffic. Even though e-bikes are faster, people just don’t like it. I used to commute by bike in my younger day and not a week went by without someone shouting “get out of the road”

I had a guy one time lean over to the passenger window to tell me to get out of the road and ride on the sidewalk like I am supposed to and didn’t realize the light changed and smashed into the car in front of him who in turn smashed into the front of them. Karmas a B. He tried blaming it on me but the insurance company saw through it.

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stone_database@reddit

Around here there are cyclists that ride on state highways that they 100% shouldn’t as a safety matter. There’s just no shoulder and various hills so it’s way too dangerous, IMO. We’ve lived in this town three years and two people have been killed in the area I’m talking about.

I would absolutely tell someone not to ride there, because it’s so dangerous for all involved.

I can’t speak to your situation, of course.

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reklatzz@reddit

They saw some kids doing extremely dangerous things, and now they think it's all ebike users.

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Far_Cap_3574@reddit

I think a lot of folks don't understand that we're not out here for fun. It's our transportation. I gotta get to work like everybody else. I'm not splitting lanes or anything, just don't clip me with your mirror and we'll all get where we're going just fine.

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gzSimulator@reddit

Ask the police what happens when you get run over on the highway, they’ll say it’s perfectly fine too

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Knollibe@reddit

Likely as many e bike riders are inconsiderate boobs. If they were not, then there would be no issues. They speed, they harass pedestrians. I ride an emtb. When on trails walking I have been rudely whizzed by and almost hit. The assholes ruin it for the considerate riders.

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EveryoneDice@reddit

In my country there's a lot of well-deserved hate for them. Cycling is mostly done here for commuting or just for fun, but ebikers often just don't drive socially and drive very unsafely. I always make sure to drive socially, but a lot just don't. Not saying that the majority doesn't, but just walking outside or cycling outside and you come across a few a week that exhibit that behaviour.

A lot of it is basically kids yeah, with parents that really shouldn't have bought them an ebike just yet. But also a lot are just straight up adults. The limit here's 25 km, but I see no shortage of moms racing downhill with 30+ km with 1 or 2 children in the front loader through a busy street. That's just dangerous, I don't even think children should be allowed to be loaded in the front of a motorized vehicle or fast moving transport, but those parents just disregard any safety even outside of that. It's really just a matter of time before some horrible accident happens again and it will lead to restrictions for everyone.

It's not just moms though. Just the other day I was cycling on a straight path. There were 2 ebikers opposite of me on their side of the path riding at high speed, I was in the middle of my own path. Then when we were about to pass each other, one of them decided to veer halfway on my path. I had to veer to the side of my path to dodge him. I mean, it's fine if you do that when there's no one in front of you, but it's very dangerous to do what he did. If I didn't dodge, we would've collided against each other with him going 25 km and me going a bit over 20 km.

Those are just a few examples I encounter of people who are just a danger. Bicycle accidents have increased significantly in my country since the introduction of the ebikes... and it's really no surprise. People these days are far more risky in traffic in general. It's not just ebikes, even people walking and people riding in cars exhibit dangerous behavior far more often than they used to. But ebikers are at the top of the chain. But what's dangerous isn't the ebikes, what's dangerous is stupid people just riding dangerously. They lack the common sense to ride one responsibly.

That said, I don't think there's a solution. The real issue is the modern mindset. Completely self-centered and barely paying attention to what's in their direct environment is pretty much the standard and this shows in all of their behavior. There's still people who do things properly and do pay attention to their environment and others... mostly older folk, but honestly I don't see it much in folks from my generation and younger.

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funkspiel56@reddit

Because Americans hate cyclists. They want us to follow traffic laws but then get mad when we do.

I’ve had plenty of negative encounters. Most recently got honked at biking through a 4 way stop because another driver didn’t like that I was going before him. Mind you this driver arrived at the intersection after I did and I even was moving before he finished stopping.

He then flipped me off when I waved my hands in the air like what do you want. It was an older man from Connecticut (tourist town) with his wife.

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Aggravating_Owl_1509@reddit

NO MATTER WHAT YOU DONIN LIFE RIGHT OR WRONG YOULL ALWAYS HAVE A PERSON THAT HAS AN ISSUE WITH EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!

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jaytheguywho@reddit

Some people are just mad for no reason at all had one guy walking call me a loser and another guy in a truck who thought I was super cool and beat filling his truck up for 180$

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No-Research-1526@reddit

They are dangerous as the brakes are up to the task of stopping them safely. They are not bikes but scooters

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unseenmover@reddit

the last thing you wanna do is escalate the situation by pissing someone off. Just keep going about your biz. Maybe a wave and have a nice day..maybe not

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beagles4ever@reddit

Is it a limited access highway for cars going at speed?

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mil0wCS@reddit (OP)

No, cars always usually go into the left lane if they’re behind me and usually go around me most of the time.

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beagles4ever@reddit

That wasn’t the question.

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Big_footed_hobbit@reddit

Because they are mentally underpowered. Ignore them, by flipping them off, you risk becoming the target of their own hatred and insecurity.

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TrippyDaveXB1@reddit

I flip them off with my high vis 100% gloves and if they want to pull over we can do that. I have a full face helmet they dont lol

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BoringBob84@reddit

I agree. They don't deserve my energy. And I don't want to escalate a confrontation where I am at a severe disadvantage. I just ignore them and think about something pleasant instead.

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Slight_Nobody5343@reddit

be careful of roadrage! The worst are angry little men with there baby momma in the car. I yell fuck you and flip off people that try and run me off the side of the road and sometimes they pull over and get out, its not worth it. Best thing is to be the bigger person and tell the cops with the video. Most people are cool but some people are evil jealous of our freedoms and sick rides.

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Tabbbinski@reddit

They've been brainwashed by years of auto advertising in every media imaginable. Just laugh at their financial situation and keep on pedallin'

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Rattlingplates@reddit

People have issues with everything. You can’t get everyone to agree on anything. Don’t worry about the haters and do what makes you happy.

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Stinkisar@reddit

ignore, wear all the gear and have all the lights

if they still are annoying again ignore their lives are already miserable

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Seglem@reddit

Have you tried using a helmet with lights in the back and in the front?

I figured it might be easier for car drivers if they always had a high and always visible cue to see.

You and the bike are already smaller and harder to see, and since the lights on the bike are kinda low. It's harder to spot a bike from a car, especially if the bike is on your side.

Another great perk with a helmet with lights is that it illuminates exactly where you look 👀 Instead of needing to turn your handlebars to have a glance. "is that a rock or can I go there?"

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tsigwing@reddit

Do you not have a minimum speed for the highway?

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cldude2@reddit

Only freeways have minimum speeds

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lehcimst@reddit

Cyclists are already perceived negatively. That coupled with most people's memorable interactions with e-bikes are also negative ones. The positive ones are just brushed off as another person on a bicycle, who's already perceived negatively. Double edged sword where I'm from.

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Separate-Trick3920@reddit

Run the fade ese

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Intelligent_Kick_763@reddit

Smile n wave and Just enjoy the cruise! Haters gonna hate especially when they're stuck in traffic or in a rush and see you having a good time.

Fuk em

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Zentransit@reddit

You've just gotta be careful!

Some idiots are so hateful, they'll try to get you injured, if there aren't any witnesses...

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foita7@reddit

Thats absolutely right. Happens a lot to me in Germany

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Negative-Wishbone634@reddit

Maybe have the sheriff setup a squad, sounds like they could make money.

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mrsandzz@reddit

People are jjust very unadaptful and stupid. They feel that they must compete with an electric Bicycle and make you feel that you are not fast enough for their roads. Theyre just not used to them yet, as if it takes much...

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hezuschristos@reddit

I doubt this has anything to do with e-bikes specifically. People hate bikes of any kind on the highway. People really hate road bikers and have forever. You just happen to be on an ebike.

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maxs507@reddit

It's not you, it's them. Americans are so car-brained, so it's a completely foreign concept to them that someone would be using the road NOT in a car.

I'm glad I live in a pretty progressive place (Rockville, MD), so I don't have this issue. But I'd imagine that outside of this country's major metropolitan areas, it's a whole different world when you're on a bike.

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TheDailyShitPost325@reddit

There's a reason why motorcyclists call them cagers is because they are literally a monkey inside a cage, raging that anybody else dare use the road because they don't have a license that's all it is and on top of that they're so ignorant, because they don't even know the actual laws, because all they know is pager laws, they didn't take into consideration, bike laws or motorcycle laws or any other type of law, they just know the law to drive on the road. That's it, they know the speed limit, how to stop how to start how to turn that's They don't actually know the law. That's why they rage is because they think they know better than you somebody who actually went out and gathered the information.

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Financial_Skill_8862@reddit

MAGA’s don’t like EV’s

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timmie1606@reddit

Can we get context? Like which country? Are you riding on the shoulder or in traffic?

I believe this is illegal to do in at least Northern Europe, but I've seen people on non electric bikes on the highway in Italy.

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Real_County2344@reddit

Its crazy. I have had people even chuck their garbage at me, out their window while driving by. One of my friends ended up in the hospital because a car tossed a closed beer can at his face while driving by. Insane! On facebook in my city neighborhood group, I see people whining about bike lanes all of the time and how they should stop adding them everywhere. Its scary out there.

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Correct-Lab-2164@reddit

Car and Truck drivers despise Ebikers because we do not pay the gasoline taxes that they do that fund road construction. In Ohio, the Amish face the same hatred in their horse drawn buggies, but some make voluntary contributions to the state to fund road construction. Electric and hybrid car drivers here pay an extra $200 and $100, respectively, for vehicle registration each year to compensate for not paying gas taxes. Perhaps we should all do the same.

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BoringBob84@reddit

This is a myth that is perpetuated by selfish motorists. Registration, fuel, and toll taxes only pay a portion of road costs. Much (sometimes, most) of road revenue comes from general taxes (e.g., sales, property, income). People who don't drive subsidize those who do.

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Correct-Lab-2164@reddit

Actually federal and state gas taxes pay more than 50% of road construction and maintenance costs in the US. Not a myth.

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BoringBob84@reddit

The USA average is 66.5%. The myth is that motorists pay for roads and bicyclists do not. That is not true. The other 43.5% of road revenue comes from general taxes.

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maxthunder5@reddit

I had so many drivers yell at me for riding a bicycle on the streets of Chicago. I think they were just jealous that I was getting through traffic faster than them.

I do see jerks on bikes and eBikes blowing stop signs and angering drivers. So there is some deserved anger. But people end up hating anyone on 2 wheels.

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glengallo@reddit

Idk if this is necessarily an ebike. As cyclist we experience this too

People are dicks

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GooseinaGaggle@reddit

It's not that they don't ebikes, they don't like any type of bikes

I feel this could go in r/fuckcars

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Hashtag_Labotomy@reddit

People are just shit. Here in my town, people honk, yell, cut you off, swerve at you, ride your butt and all other manner of hell. It's people of all ages too. From 16-75+. Makes no sense. Very few kids ride bikes around here for some odd reason. You never see anyone skateboard rollerblade, bmx biking, nothing hardly. We got probably a dozen homeless people who ride bikes. I would say 9 of them maybe. You see those few out biking just to bike, than anyone else. I towed one of them to Walmart with my ebike and got them 2 slime tubes and gave a small think of flat out I had..

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NeighborhoodReady668@reddit

I love your heading : "Why do people have issues with _____?" Public service announcement - "people" will have something to complain about whatever it is you do .... so ignore them & enjoy the ride!

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N9neFing3rs@reddit

I guess it depends mostly on where on the road you are. If your on the bike path you do you. I have seen some assholes dead center of the road slowing down traffic for everyone. If theres no bike path I'll stay to the far side so its easy to pass, even though I'm going slightly over the speed limit.

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BoringBob84@reddit

one asshole yell out of their window at me

These people are ignorant to the point of being amusing. They sit on their lazy asses and drive everywhere, so they don't realize that the things that they yell are unintelligible to people outside of their car. "Oh ee ah oo aye ow!" sounds more like, "I am an insecure little man-boy!" than whatever "tough guy" message they were trying to express.

Cars make motorists feel safe, isolated, powerful, and anonymous, so people without integrity cannot resist the temptation to be selfish and cruel when they drive. These are people who do not deserve my energy. I try to forget them right away and think of something pleasant instead.

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Zipcode9@reddit

I’m quite certain every time something new comes out there is opposition. When bikes where first invented I’m sure there where folks complaining about that. Now this gen a few mostly older folks complain about e-bikes. It’s not exercising they say, no shit of course not, it’s a form of transportation, just like a car is. If you want to exercise then walk to work. For us is transportation and relaxing bike ride where you can go further without all the work of pedaling.

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xJadusable@reddit

Truth is people hate cyclists. That’s the core of the issue. If you’re on the sidewalk, pedestrians hate that you’re on the sidewalk regardless of speed and how safe you’re riding. I’ve had people literally go into the street to walk around me despite going 5-8mph and clearly being aware of pedestrians. Even going into the grass or outermost part of the sidewalk towards the street and people will still clearly show they’re annoyed or bothered.

In the street, aligning with Class 2 regulations in my state, I can only go 20 mph MAX. Not fast enough to take a whole lane on the street (when I’ve done it I’ve gotten frequent honks, yelling “get out of the road!” Etc) so the only options are hoping there’s a dedicated bike lane, or riding on the shoulder (which is no space at all) or riding between moving traffic and parked vehicles (which is extremely dangerous). It literally feels like there’s no where that’s “proper” as some on an ebike. That’s why I just do what I need to. I keep it slow and safe on sidewalks, and go into streets when it’s safe. Bike lanes I always use. People still honk, give me dirty looks, yell etc but I don’t care. I’m not gonna risk my safety so some Karen walking her dogs isn’t bothered.

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BladeRunnerKitty@reddit

The amount of dirty looks from people on sidewalks rivals cars I was kind of taken back by this attitude. Its honestly worst then driving in the bike lane where im from. My best guess is its people who think your adding unnecessary traffic?

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S3ANbz@reddit

Good question including people on this page itself!

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Semper-Fi1063@reddit

I've been riding a bicycle for over 50 years now and can tell you that this behavior is not exclusive to ebike riders. Ebikes are getting more popular right now, so it may seem like it's just against them. I think it comes from a sense of entitlement and a lack of bicycle riding knowledge.

The sense of entitlement comes from the "The roads are meant for cars" mentality and forces the drivers to pay attention to what is happening around them. Plus, they feel inconvenienced because bicycles move slower than them.

The lack of knowledge comes from drivers and riders who were never properly taught how to ride a bicycle, myself included. I was given my first bike on my 7th birthday. It had no training wheels, and I had to figure out how to ride on my own by watching other kids ride.
If you decide to ride your bike on the road, you are expected to obey the same rules of the road as if you're driving a car. That means riding WITH traffic and not AGAINST it. You are also required to have, at a minimum, a white reflector attached to the front of your bike and on the tires (spokes) and a red reflector on the rear. You also are supposed to have a headlight if you're riding at night. I use the highest lumen lights I can find as well as reflective gear that stays on my bike. The best advice I can give you about how to react to those who yell or honk at you is to not react. They want you to react, so I try not to. Or I give them a big wave and a smile.

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East_Worldliness2287@reddit

Where the heck does the bike route go? You won't find me on a highway when there is bike path . Are you on a paved shoulder?

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EaterofSnatch@reddit

I've been in lots of places that don't have bike paths

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clean-start-again@reddit

Is there a compromise? Maybe take surface street where the speed limit is 30mph.. The greater the difference between your speed and theirs, the more danger you are in.

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AntelopeHead2592@reddit

Alot of it has to with the edirt bikes when they do full takeovers and it's portrayed poorly by the media

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smokemast@reddit

I wouldn't react or respond. That fuels any fire. You're probably just moving slower and are an obstruction to them. But, there are also bike purists who have a bias against e-bikes. The hostility is not rational but there probably isn't anything you can do about that.

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Fun_Exit6092@reddit

People who can barely ride a regular bike are going 20mph on ebikes while barely in control. Not following trail etiquette, passing people with an inch to spare, speeding through busy urban centers, etc.

Then we have the teenagers who run into cars and break their bones because they fly out into traffic without looking.

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QuillsROptional@reddit

There is no reason to make people even angrier when they are driving tons of car that can easily do great harm to both you and your surroundings. Ignore them.

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Lumpy_Strawberry_154@reddit

People are assholes. They love telling other people what the rules are, and when they're not following them.

I get slurs mostly. I've been called names on my ebike that I haven't been called since middle school.

I think people are mostly miserable, and take out their miserable lives on everyone else.

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MonzellRS@reddit

Because the dickheads that don’t know the rules of the road are always the loudest, best to just ignore them. I’ve been considering doing something like the armed cyclist, but my 360 camera is doing just fine atm.

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InfluenceEfficient77@reddit

Were they having an issue with an e-bike or just the bike in general?

Sounds like you live in an area where police don't care..

I would upgrade to a faster ebike, 1500w minimum to go 40mph

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swizzex@reddit

Ignore the political comments. Your going way below speed on a highway your going to make people upset. I'd also warn that while this cuts your time it's likely to cut your life short soon too. 20 on a realistic 65+ as most people speed is very dangerous game.

Do you not have any other routes that can cut time?

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Think_Green2240@reddit

They’re honking because they are concerned for your safety and the safety of those riding near an e-bike going 20mph in a 55, even on the outside. You should be riding across the line on the shoulder imo. I know you potentially won’t like that idea because of debris (maybe bring a tire patch kit), but it’s the safest place to be for everyone, including yourself. Some people are more emphatic about letting you know than others, but it’s because they think you’re being irresponsible - which is fair i.e. thinking you’re not caring about potentially wrecking yourself or accidentally causing others to wreck by riding inside the lane, because it’s basically a public safety issue. You should check again with the sheriffs and explain what’s happened so far since your last call. Be sure to clarify whether you are allowed to ride beside the highway while inside the shoulder, or within the last lane while not in the shoulder. Be safe, friend.

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mil0wCS@reddit (OP)

I ride on the shoulder. I don’t ride in the middle of the lane. Usually if there is road where the white line goes I try to go over the white line and stay on the road. But usually there isn’t. So I have to ride the shoulder.

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Think_Green2240@reddit

Maybe it’s possible that even seeing you on the shoulder freaks them out, like seeing someone walking on the shoulder on the highway.

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mil0wCS@reddit (OP)

Idk. I drive past hundreds of cars and only have had issues with only a few people. So I’m not sure

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Think_Green2240@reddit

Well, then, just keep doing you and ignore them.

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Oreo2025@reddit

Did you cycle in a bikini perhaps? :) sorry, couldn’t help myself. Drivers need to be educated that it’s perfectly fine to ride on am allowed road.

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kloyoh@reddit

Care to share what road? Im curious

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atlasraven@reddit

Carbrains believe that the road is only for cars. They see other road users as competition for a limited resource (the road).

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Ur-in-a-tor@reddit

What's the speed limit on that highway, are bikes even allowed there? Without any details, ebikes and highways sound a bit reckless to me.

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mil0wCS@reddit (OP)

Did you even bother reading the post?

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Ur-in-a-tor@reddit

Yes I did, did you read mine? Are bikes allowed on the highway?

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mil0wCS@reddit (OP)

Clearly you didnt read the post because the sheriff said it was perfectly fine. 🙄

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Ur-in-a-tor@reddit

What are you talking about sheriff here? This is your post, it mentions nothing about that:

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mil0wCS@reddit (OP)

Can’t tell if you’re trolling or not literally second sentence. This has to be ragebait…

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Cause federally, the default is a “no” for any sort of bike on highways. Id check your local laws directly, just to be safe.

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PreferenceAny3920@reddit

Then your reading comprehension is absolute garbage. You get a big. Fat. F.