Ever consider eBikes?

I’ll admit it. When I first heard about electronic bikes; and even saw/heard people buzzing around on them,  my knee-jerk reaction was that they weren’t “real” bikes. How can it be a “bike” if the rider isn’t pedaling? It also struck me as a lazy way to “ride”. How could riding one of those things be “exercise”? Isn’t the motor doing the work?

Then I read a letter in “Letters from our Readers” on page 05 of the December 2018/January 2019 issue of Adventure Cyclist; and it gave me a different perspective on ebikes.

As the writer pointed out, electronic bikes can give people who are no longer able to use a regular bicycle (such as older folks with knee problems) a way to keep riding. An ebike doesn’t cause the air pollution that an internal combustion engine does, and doesn’t make nearly as much noise.

What about the safety aspect of ebikes? I think I\d be worried that the thing would run away with me! But it looks like a lot of things that apply to riding a conventional bicycle also apply to riding its electronic counterpart. Be visible; learn to handle the ebike at low speed before trying to push the pace; and so on.

For me, I think the hardest part of riding a ebike would be having that buzzing almost next to my ear. I have noise sensitivity issues, so as long as I’m able to ride a regular bicycle, I intend to do so. All the same, an ebike is an alternative to keep in mind.