Are e-bikes a "crime against cycling?" - Why we choose to ride the Brompton
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ย. 2024
- Are ebikes a crime against cycling and why we choose to ride the Brompton. We recently had a comment on one of our videos saying "e-bikes are a crime against cycling" which got us thinking whether this might be true? We think it's all about the right bike for the person. So here's our opinion on the statement and wondered what you guys thought? Would be really interested to get your opinions on this one!
I do a commute of 23 km, from the middle of nowhere (read no trains) towards the heart of Brussels. Important detail in the story, I am obese. I have been searching for a long time an alternative of going by car. But the commute is everything but flat. So with a non e-bike I could never go by bike towards work.
But now I drive 15 km with the car, with the ebike in the trunk, and 8km to the center of Brussels with the Brompton e-Bike (with minimum drive support). And I am loving it. I actually think I will be able to keep this up. I started this new routine two weeks ago in the rain and wind, and I am actually enjoying it.
So I am hoping that it will contribute to a better health and lower body weight over time. And perhaps that in a year or two, I will be able to do that commute with a Brompton 6 gear without electric support ? Without the intermediate step of the electric brompton, I would not ever have considered this option.
That’s great to hear 😀👍 e-bikes are great especially in the windy weather. Riding the bike to work is much less stressful I have found as well 👍
I personally love getting to my destinations under my own power-my preference. I don’t knock anyone who needs an E-bike because it’s a much better option than driving😃👍
Thanks Brian. Yeah definitely prefer getting around on my Brompton but the e-bike has been really useful. Think it’s all about the right type of bike for different needs 😀👍
Outside of the self proclaimed church of cycling lies vast world of people who want to get from point A to B as easily and as conveniently as possible and riding a bike is perfect for that. Regardless if it's on E-bike or normal bike! World where you dress up for destination and not for the journey... The Dutch have already understood it and are rebuilding country around that concept. According to their urban planners, the average distance non-assisted cyclist is happy to travel is roughly 7km and with the assisted bike it's twice that much. E-bikes are a great tool for putting more people on bikes giving them cheaper, healthier and less congesting way of travel. I recommend everyone to watch Not Just Bikes and Bicycle Dutch youtube channels.
Yes I certainly agree. Cycling for transport is definitely something which can benefit a lot of people. I do like watching the Dutch videos and programmes and think that it is amazing what they have there. Thanks for comment 👍😀
Crime against cycling..... 😂
Anything that gets people cycling and not using a car is a good thing IMO.
I recently fitted a Swytch kit to my Brompton, and it’s great! I’ve been using the Brompton for local transport and to get fit. Now with the electric kit I can use it as transport for longer trips and just not attach the battery for fitness/fun rides. Bristol is a hilly city, but with the kit I can get into town and back without getting hot and bothered. In an ideal world I’d have an e-bike and a gravel bike, but living in a flat, the Brompton with the kit will do the job just fine for me.
Thanks Andy. Think thats one of the best things about converting it yourself as you can have it with or without the battery. Our e-bike was designed to only be used with the battery and to be honest trying to ride it without the assistance is a massive effort due to the weight. Glad you are enjoying it though! Thanks for the comment!
I entirely agree that E-bikes should be seen as enablers. There's always been niche elements within cycling often proselytising aggressively. Cycling as a hobby subdivides infinitely, and often fails to respect the differing needs of individuals. Anything that promotes cycling as enhancing life and the environment is fine by me. I'm 68 on the windy coast, and my E Brompton had enabled me to keep cycling this Winter. In Spring I'll wheel out my unassisted Brompton or one of the Moultons. Mini velo fan here.
Thats great to hear! Yeah I kind of miss the e-bike sometimes when I get a strong headwind like today! Certainly good for winter and windy days for definite. Thanks for taking the time to comment and lets hope for some better weather soon!
Assisted bikes are a great innovation to keep people cycling longer and help those who have never cycled to start long distances. Very useful for commute.
But care must be taken as they reach speeds higher than what is allowed on a bike path.
Here in Rio de Janeiro they cause many accidents with cyclists and pedestrians.
Great video, nice camera placement!
Keep Safe! Keep Riding!
Thanks Chris! We found ours very useful and definitely enabled us to start cycling as a family more and reduce our car dependancy! In the UK they are only allowed assisted to 15mph (25.5kmh) but I know its different in other countries.
@@CycleEveryday 25km is a good policy. It avoids many accidents and at the same time helps those in need. 👍🏻😊🚴♀️
I have a speedelec that runs to 45km/h and didn't use it, because it scared the hell out of me. And it was not completely clear, when I could adopt the bike ways, and when I needed to keep on the road (=dangerous) I now have an electric Brompton limited to 25km/h and it is just a joy. It is clear I can always go on bike paths.
I definitely agree that some of the ebikes are too fast. Think that the 25mph is plenty for a bike and much easier to control as well 👍
I took possession of my shiny new electric Brompton last week and am loving it. I find the motor helps on hills and gets me up to speed quickly on the flat...so I actually end up cruising along at 17-18 mph [which means the motor has actually cut out at that point] instead of my usual 12-13 mph on my non-electric Brommie.
Thanks Frank! Sounds brilliant. Some say electric bikes are slow but I think that is perfect for getting about A-B. Thanks for sharing 👍
I’ve just ordered a Swytch kit for my Brompton. I plan to run it on limited assist, but have the ability to boost for hills. At the moment I don’t use my bike if I need to arrive at my destination not too sweaty, I think the E-kit will mean I get more use out of my bike and rely on the car less - has to be a good thing.
Yes that is definitely a good thing! Been thinking about one recently, as the windy weather is getting quite bad at the moment 😀
I have a 11 speed Brompton but I also purchased a Riese ans muller Tinker e bike in December, I love them both for different reasons, both have keen followers. I also have a Bike Friday folding bike and 2 road bikes and 2 kickbikes so I have enough gadgets lol I like your videos, I live just down the road from you and i could identify some of your rides. :-) keep riding and keep safe and smile
Thanks Julie. 11 speed Brompton sounds pretty impressive! 😀 yeah it’s pretty good area for bike rides. Canal network is pretty good so enjoy that most days to get out of the house. Also useful for the commute into Birmingham too!
I have a Dahon and Brompton bike.
I am thinking of converting my Dahon bike into an electric bike, with a Swytch kit.
That sounds good. The swytch kits are pretty good from what I have heard. Would be interesting to hear how it goes and what you think of it 😀👍
As an Ebike Owner Ive had racing Cyclists shaking their head at me. What they dont understand is the Ebike has many benefits. Primarily its another Car off the road. For a lot of people its just a means of Transport with the additional benefits of getting fit. An Ebike typically saves you about 20-30% but it gets people out a lot more, so you get fit as its really fun to ride , taking the sting out of steep hilld, or gets you off the Start line a lot quicker at Traffic lights. It also aids Cyclists getting to work without arriving sweaty, especially wher they dont have Shower facilities at Work. It is also hugely popular with older people who have joint problems and cant cycle a standard bike anymore. It is also great for going to the Shops as mine has a large basket on the Front for carrying shopping. EBikes outsell Standard Bikes in Germany for example so its a huge growing Market. Think instead of 100 Ebike commuters compared to 100 Diesel Cars spewing out Toxic Gases on the same road. My Ebike is also restricted to 25/kph but I can go fast than that but just dont get any assistance. I have the Orbea Katu Electric Bike from GreenAer in Dublin
www.greenaer.ie/product/orbea-katu-e-30/
Totally agree Stephen. More people on bikes and less in cars is definitely a win no matter what they are riding. Glad to hear you are finding yours really useful. Think if more people tried them out they would be surprised at how fun they are 😀👍
@@CycleEveryday Ive also bought a Bromton M3R which im really enjoying and get a great workout with it. I also own a Full Carbon road bike. You can never have too many bikes. Could be moving from a House to an Appartment so the Brompton may replace all the other bikes
Yes I know the feeling. I have 3 but to be honest I only ride the Brompton now. Should get rid of the mountain bike now really as not used. The Brompton I have found is just really good for an everyday bike so no need for anything else!
Ebikes are bought by lazy fuckers who simply cannot be bothered to pedal for themselves. You have a choice and you made a bad one. Fuck the planet, all the damage mining does to the planet to extract the raw metals to make the batteries and motors you use on your eBikes. Then you are dependent on an electricity grid to charge the batteries, all because you are too fucking lazy to pedal for yourselves. Shameful. And the hypocrisy stating another car is off the road to justify your selfishness and sloth. Traditional cycling has been corrupted and taken over by these feckers and I object to being silenced as I stand up for my sport and means of transport. fortunately the UCI has quite rightly banned Ebikes from competition as they go against everything cycling and honest cyclists stand for. Therefore they are indeed a crime against cycling and Ebike riders are criminals.
I have athritis in my knee, and sometimes I need a bit of help finishing my journey. This is why I got an electric bike.
Hi Dave. That’s what makes them so good. Anyone that struggles riding a non electric bike can still get around without having to rely on a car or public transport. Glad to hear that you have got one and use it! 😀👍
Personally no problem with e-bikes. Hoping to add one to the collection at some point If it gets people cycling or it makes it easier then its only a good thing.Curerntly riding a brompton m3l which I bought off the back of your videos and also ride a carrera subway.
Thanks for the comment Josh. Hope you are enjoying the Brompton!
Spot on!
Thanks David 👍
Every E-bike trip is one less car trip zooming by you on your bike.
Definitely! 👍
First I'll begin with saying that I too have a brompton , I've wanted one for years and given the situation that we're in at the moment with all this lockdown business ( and frankly can not see an end to it all ) I thought what the heck .. I'll buy one - albeit secondhand , but it's like new and I LOVE it 👌😃🚴♀️🚴♀️😃
BUT ..I have been toying on and off with getting an electric pack for it my reason being, I just don't have the confidence to go the distance that id like to go on a "normal" bike . If I had that backup of some assistance for the hills id venture much further afield I'm sure 😏 I need to lose a bit of weight and get a bit fitter , so completely understand people going electric just for that extra help in their journey ..physically and in life . At the moment I do what I can on my cycle trips, I tend to dismount on the up hills and walk but that's where my assistance would come in . So all in all any 2 wheels is always better than 4 🚴♀️👍
P.s your videos are so lovely and very thoughtful , thank you🙂
Thanks so much! Appreciate the comment. To be honest when I only had the e-bike I was doing so many miles on it just because it was so easy and enjoyable not to worry about the hills. Think I clocked up 3.8k km on it in four months. Didn't have to think about routes and avoid big hills and just went where I wanted. Think a bit of assistance sounds great and I really think it will help you enjoy it more like we did. The only reason I am not using the e-bike so much at the moment is just because I love using the Brompton too much. 👍
@@CycleEveryday
Thank you , you've given me food for thought 🤔..🙂
I agree with you 💯
Thanks Nora 😀👍 think any one riding a bike is awesome 🚲
I love my ebike, they'll change the World for the better if we let them! Most the time though I ride my fixed gear. Those who consider themselves superior because they don't have an ebike (FFS) do they think the same of gears? Of a freewheel? This attitude chases people away from cycling. Elitist nonsense!
Think your right Barry. Love our ebike as well. My wife uses it now but without it she wouldn’t come out on family rides which would be a massive shame. Like you said, everyone should encourage riding bikes no matter what type, or any kind of active travel is better than cars. 👍😀
They are slow and heavy. Even at 62 i can put out an average of 266 watts for an hour. Who needs them, maybe when I get my letter from the King.
Yes they are definitely heavier. Ours weighs about 22kg and the battery alone is 3.5kg. It’s great that you don’t need one personally. More people on any type of bike is always a positive though don’t you think?
they are popular with deliveroo etc but they fu**** annoying sometimes.
Definitely positive for delivering food and parcels on bikes rather than cars 👍