Hilarious comments

[G Lindberg]

In my one month as an e-bike owner I have had quite a few comments:

1. Are you lazy? -Being asked from people that do not own a bike but a 200hp car
2. Why not buy a motorcycle? Short answer: Noisy, smelly, way too many moving parts that break down, no health benefit
3. Above answer: Health benefit? It has a motor?
4. That is really expensive. You could get a used car. -Answer 2
5. No throttle? You have to actually pedal?

People in general are really oblivious. But times are a changin'

 

[Barry S]

When the Jimmy Carter era gas lines return, and they will, commuting by bicycle won't seem so crazy.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

 

[AlanDB]

I recently posted about my new e-bike in another (non bike related GPS) forum in the off-topic chit-chat section. Several users seemed interested and soon the question about cost came up (which I answsered). That was quickly followed up from another user with your #4 comment almost word for word. I considered it a troll and didn't reply, but someone else did.

 

[Over50]

I've had:

1. Doesn't making the bike electric defeat the purpose of it being a bike?
A. question assumes bikes are solely for exercise
B. question assumes you get no exercise on an e-bike
2. So its basically a small motorcycle?
3. Why does a young fellow like you need a motor? (question from a seasoned cyclist)
4. I would never ride one of those (same person as #3)
5. I could buy a car for that kind of money
6. I support e-bikes ... for old people and "Mr. Magoo" (this is a paraphrase and not exact quote from by a cycling attorney who gave a legal talk at my LBS ... he did use the "Mr Magoo" multiple times as a reference to a bike rider who is not a serious or expert cyclist)
7. As the market expands for these things, there will be a commensurate explosion of cases involving collisions on bike paths and bike lanes ... these bikes hitting pedestrians, other cyclists ... (same attorney as #6 - another paraphrase)

That's just what comes to mind as recent comments.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

...

1. That is really expensive. You could get a used car....

There are a lot of great e-bikes out there for under $5000, and even some under $2000. There aren't many great used cars out there for under $5000.

I guess I'm just lucky, I live in an area where there is a pretty strong cycling culture and quite a few e-bikers. The vanilla cyclists have always been accepting and generally interested in what I'm riding.

 

[Barry S]

I recently posted about my new e-bike in another (non bike related GPS) forum in the off-topic chit-chat section. Several users seemed interested and soon the question about cost came up (which I answsered). That was quickly followed up from another user with your #4 comment almost word for word. I considered it a troll and didn't reply, but someone else did.

It worries me when people don't look at the expenses of owning something beyond the initial purchase price. Yeah, I might be able to find an acceptable used car for the same price, but what about insurance, maintenance, gas and oil (assuming not an e-car), possibly monthly parking depending on where you work, etc.

 

[G Lindberg]

When the Jimmy Carter era gas lines return, and they will, commuting by bicycle won't seem so crazy.

I did not get that reference as an EU citizen, all I know is that 100% of my country's electricity supply in the spring, summer and autumn comes from hydro electric power plants. Quite a green way to travel

 

[Barry S]

I did not get that reference as an EU citizen, all I know is that 100% of my country's electricity supply in the spring, summer and autumn comes from hydro electric power plants. Quite a green way to travel

Just Google "gas shortage of the 1970s". I had just bought my first car and was already thinking of selling it because gas was too high at 80-cents a gallon if I recall.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

... maybe to go slightly off-topic, but when people talk about how "expensive" e-bikes are, have they looked at any regular bikes lately?

I know a couple of dudes who do custom-build mountain bikes. You won't get anything out of their shop for less than $2500. Even at my local bike shop the prices bottom out right at $1000.

And when I look at bikes that I'd like to own, the prices quickly get ionospheric.

 

[G Lindberg]

Just Google "gas shortage of the 1970s". I had just bought my first car and was already thinking of selling it because gas was too high at 80-cents a gallon if I recall.

Yes, that one. Was like 1973 here overseas. And nowadays with a gas prices of approx 17 NoK (almost $2 per liter) there really is no reason for me personally to commute to work by fossile fuel.
-And as a bonus I do not show up to work with a fresh morning face, ready for a new day

 

[Over50]

... have they looked at any regular bikes lately? ... I know a couple of dudes who do custom-build mountain bikes. You won't get anything out of their shop for less than $2500. Even at my local bike shop the prices bottom out right at $1000 ... And when I look at bikes that I'd like to own, the prices quickly get ionospheric.

I probably spent over $2,000 to get my Spot just right (non electric). Back a few years ago when I was shopping for that, seems good quality bikes with some of the features I wanted (steel frame, IGH, belt drive, dynamo...) were around $1,500 minimum w/out everything I wanted. My purchase price was $1,400 then added rack, fenders and had an LBS build a wheel with a dynamo.

Yeah, I'd love to get a good touring bike (non electric too) or have one built. Sure are expensive...

 

[G Lindberg]

I have two non-electrics in my hallway, one racer and a cyclocross hybrid. Retail price $1400 and $1600. That racer was a waste of money due to the poor asfalt standards. (yes, non-electrics are really expensive too if one likes good brakes, gears etc)

 

[christob]

I have a coworker who has seen me twice locking my bike to the rack at work when I commute in, and each time, he says, "brought the motorcycle today, eh?" As he steps on the elevator and thus avoids any chance of a real conversation about it... but it doesn't actually bother me; if someone is disinterested enough to stay somewhat ignorant of the facts, (a position I assume makes it more fun to toss out comments like that) I need not spend my time educating them against their will. Then again, leaving tonight, I had a long chat with three others who got off the elevator by the rack and had questions and several comments about how awesome the bike looked

 

[G Lindberg]

Most of the nonsensical comments have come from perfect strangers though. I work at a silicon ingot factory (pre-fab solar cells) and my co-workers get the point

 

[Chris Hammond]

I have a coworker who has seen me twice locking my bike to the rack at work when I commute in, and each time, he says, "brought the motorcycle today, eh?" As he steps on the elevator and thus avoids any chance of a real conversation about it... but it doesn't actually bother me; if someone is disinterested enough to stay somewhat ignorant of the facts, (a position I assume makes it more fun to toss out comments like that) I need not spend my time educating them against their will. Then again, leaving tonight, I had a long chat with three others who got off the elevator by the rack and had questions and several comments about how awesome the bike looked

I love the fact that the guy who is using the elevator instead of the stairs is criticizing your use of an ebike. Reminds me of a couple of guys I work with who are both very out of shape and overweight. They criticize me for going to the gym during my lunch break instead of out to lunch with them. Oh how I wish they understood irony.

 

[JRA]

Just Google "gas shortage of the 1970s". I had just bought my first car and was already thinking of selling it because gas was too high at 80-cents a gallon if I recall.

The rise in price to $2/gal in 2000 was my impetus to look into motorizing a bicycle. I thought no one would want to pay that much for a gallon of gas. The e bike tech back then was pretty weak with the SLA batteries so I experimented with some ICE ones, my first was a two stroke Tecumseh with a roller. Then a Currie and a DD front hub but as mentioned the batteries were weak, stripped down a Ryobi 4 cycle weedwhacker and then some 49cc HuaSheng conversions. With ICE getting a drive that worked was always a problem. Then battery turned to LiIon and haven't looked back.

 

[Kurt in CT]

I did not get that reference as an EU citizen, all I know is that 100% of my country's electricity supply in the spring, summer and autumn comes from hydro electric power plants. Quite a green way to travel

G, wonderful that your leaders over the years have made you so energy green and independent. We can only dream of such progressive things in the US.

 

[e-boy]

I probably spent over $2,000 to get my Spot just right (non electric). Back a few years ago when I was shopping for that, seems good quality bikes with some of the features I wanted (steel frame, IGH, belt drive, dynamo...) were around $1,500 minimum w/out everything I wanted. My purchase price was $1,400 then added rack, fenders and had an LBS build a wheel with a dynamo.

Yeah, I'd love to get a good touring bike (non electric too) or have one built. Sure are expensive...

Any non-electric touring bikes you like ?

 

[mrgold35]

It has been pretty positive since I've switched over from my SUV to ebike for the last 20 months. I still get folks several times a month asking me questions at stop lights or stopping me in the hallways at work about my fat tire ebike. I have about 3 co-workers in my building wanting to purchase an ebike to start work commuting soon. They sometimes get sticker shock at $1500 for an ebike. It has just been some comfort upgrades like suspension seatpost, larger pedals, brighter lights, rack+bag, adjustable stem, and upgraded tires for +4200 miles of riding.

I really like the advantages of saving gas, less wear/tear on my vehicles, exercising while commuting, and the friendly interactions along the way on a bike you can't get within a car. I'm starting to see more people bike commuting compared to a few years ago. Unfortunately, I'm one of the only few that can still work commute when things get extreme like 95-105 degrees in summer, mid teens- low 20s in winter, or +20 mph winds half of spring. We are expected to get 35-50 mph winds this Thursday and Friday. That is even past my limit for ebike work commuting.