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Comment by TulliusCicero | Hacker News Reader

> The unfortunate situation is that if you are over 10 miles to your office ( which many are ) you will have a hard time making that commute in a acceptable amount of time, unless you actually make an effort at going fast.

OR, unless you get an eBike. Which, while more expensive than a regular bike, are still vastly cheaper to purchase and operate than a car. A good pre-built eBike will probably sell in the $1000-2000 range and uses a negligible amount of electricity.

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I think it's tragic that ebikes have become the domain of drunks and losers. We have the perfect solution to global warming and urban intensification right there, and no self-respecting person will use it because it's a tool of the underclass.

Coming from a cyclists perspective, I always assumed that eBike riders were laypeople who just wanted to pay for the convenience to make the daunting task of pedaling seem like less of a deal.

It's truly tragic that bikes as a form of transport has been regulated to the domains of college kids, hipsters, fitness buffs, and enthusiasts.

< 15 miles is manageable for most people if they don't give up the first day they're sore.

What you are missing from your perspective is mountainous regions, long distances or fact that some people do not want to arrive too sweaty, but still wish to enjoy the ride.

If you arrive sweaty it's because you bike too fast.

I've never heard of this stigma in the US. Where is this coming from?

edit: I see in your other comments you mention Ontario, interesting. Seems so strange that a mode of transportation could carry such a stigma.

Several of my friends are bike shop workers in Chicago, I can confirm this is quickly becoming the preferred "DUI Bike" for those with the means.

Must be local. I live in Hamilton, Ontario, and you'll see e-bikes frequently in the rougher parts of town.

I think ebikes are just seen as cripplingly uncool, and there is a bit of a feeling that it's the lazy way out.

Having used one for a while, the extra weight and general clumsiness compared to a normal bike becomes a huge discouragement to casual riding.

I haven't had the opportunity to ride one myself, but my understanding is that they're steadily getting better on that front. Mid-drive improves balance, for example: https://www.electricbike.com/mid-drive-kits/

And if the infrastructure is good enough, a lot of people will deal with some clumsiness. Lots of people in Denmark and the Netherlands use bike trailers or cargo bikes, and having had a chance to use them, believe me, those are DEFINITELY clumsy.

The prices on ebikes are still ridiculous. They cost more than a lightly used 300cc motorcycle that can go 100 mph and sips gasoline.

But ebikes ride quietly and do not produce smoke. And you can pedal them. Speed is not the only factor here.

Nothing compensates for the absurdity of spending over $3K for one.

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