My exercise is also free. We have an exercise room here at my apartments. No driving to get there. I get much more exercise and a better workout using the treadmill than my bike. But, I didn't buy a motorized bike for major exercise or as my primary mode of transportation. It's for fun and moderate exercise on nice days. I grew up in San Francisco and got plenty of biking exercise on those hills when I was young. Had a paper route that about killed me. Wish I had my ebike then. But then, they were not yet invented.
I disagree with a lot of that. The vast majority of bike and/or ebike owners in this country park their bikes in the wintertime. Because the vast majority of people don't live in warm winter climates. At the most you will see a few bikes out on the roads in the winter, but very few. Just take a ride in 30s or 40 degree weather and tell me how many bikes you see. Hardly any. This idea that a bike that sells for less then 2 grand will fall apart fast is nothing more than a sales pitch thrown out there to reel in the fish with the deep pockets. I ride with a bike club with ebikes. Some expensive, some not. I see nobody with the less expensive ebike complain about breakdowns or having any more mechanical problems than any others. These bikes are well built and when a part needs replaced, it's no big deal. As for a company going out of business, that can happen to any bike maker. In the end, a well made, less expensive, ebike can be good for many years if it's well maintained like any other vehicle. You just have to shop smart and take care of you're ride.or they choose to live places where the weather won't kill you a fair percentage of the time.
pros and cons, no doubt. but safe to say a lot of people use their bikes far more than you do, prefer to drive far less, and as such need to know the bike is reliable and well supported. i'm not saying any particular bike is or isn't, just that in general the very inexpensive eBikes do not seem to be built to last.
but its time. I get my exercise will commuting so I have more time. I don't have to spend time exercising as I get that while getting to work and back. thats how I can ride so much without it taking more time in the day. thats the biggest thing time. for me I enjoy riding. Get exercise doing it it save me time and best of all it costs far less then driving does.
lol, and the smell of wood burning in fireplaces during night rides is also nice.
here the coldest this year was 23 degrees. hands and feet get cold but the rides are short enough its not an issue.
I smell more pot smoke.
Than for you that's perfect. For me, time is not a factor. I'm retired and I have all the time I need to exercise. I'm done commuting or driving my big rig through rush hour traffic. Once you retire you may change that program as you will no longer have to make that cold ride every day. You may discover that riding in the winter is no longer fun. You might park the bike in winter and join a health club. Things change as we age. Never say never.
when I cant ride anymore I will be done. it keeps me alive. I doubt I will retire I cant afford it.
I stand by what I said. The vast majority of bike owners don't ride in the winter. Most bring them out in the Spring. It's a no-brainer, look around you. If you live where's it's cold right now, take a ride and count the bikes out there. Not many. Same with motorcycles. Cold weather sucks for biking. I've done it, not fun. Maybe some like to test their strength willpower or toughness. I think most people prefer the warm comfort of a car in winter. In fact I know they do! But hey, it's you're bike go when ya want. Me and my girlfriend like riding the trails at night. Most others don't.
Not that they are toys but that they come with certain limitations as far as comfort goes. Same as motorcycles. Riding outdoors in foul weather is just not what most people choose to do. Unless they have to, most bikers won't ride in freezing rain, snow etc. You wouldn' stand outside in the freezing rain would you? Only if you had to. Will my bike work in freezing cold? Sure. Is freezing cold hard on bike batteries yes, it is. I'd say this discussion is played out.
I realize that I’m in the minority and most who live in the sunbelt might feel that the words cycling and winter shouldn’t be used in the same sentence. Most of my winter rides occur when the temp hovers just above or below freezing. Quite comfortable and not aversive at all. In fact, at times it's just the opposite during full sun lit days. It also means that I have most of the paths/trails to myself. For me, it’s got nothing to do with toughness or fortitude but simply more to do with enjoying the invigorating outdoor air in pristine surroundings. That said, we should all be tolerant of where we ride regardless of the conditions or the season. I too look forward to the season changeover and riding on warmer days as you. As for riding the trails at night, I’m totally cool with that.
Riding in the Bay Area in winter would be no problem at all. I moved 1000 miles from there in the 70s. I'm talking Northern climes.
agreed that riding in sub zero temps and snow is not conducive to the daily commute! but most americans don’t live in a place that has such winters. my hope is that the eBikes can really make a dent in how much most americans drive.
