Back when I spent a lot of time cycling in the 2000s, the vibe in the peloton was that electric bikes were a danger akin to performance-enhancing drugs. Their very existence risked the purity of a sport based on the simplicity of a pedal stroke.
In practice, far from diluting anything, e-bikes have helped more people get on a bike. And it’s increasingly clear that without the advantage of battery assistance, many of these folks wouldn’t be riding at all.
A recent survey of e-bike owners showed 29% of respondents had a physical limitation that made riding a standard bike difficult. That’s a huge percentage. But it makes sense when we realize all humans experience disability at some point in their lives, whether from age, injury, or something else. A bit of battery power appears to lower bicycling’s barrier of entry. (NITC)
Moreover, e-bikes encourage people to exercise more, not less. A recent New Yorker article…
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