Talk of The Villages Florida - Electric bikes health benefits question

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Yes, you are missing something.

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Originally Posted by Topspinmo (Post 2248833)

One passed me in my golf cart doing well 20 up hill, no peddling was involved.

My motorized mobility scooter isn't licensed...and I need to get to Bingo in a hurry...

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Originally Posted by Surf Daddy (Post 2248531)

I have a Trex electric mountain bike. I also have a non-e mountain bike. My attire: Clip in bike shoes, bike shorts, athletic wicking shirt, no gloves and of course a good helmet. Functionally, I dress like Lance A, but without the logo shirt. Many years ago, I raced Supercross in stadiums and Motocross outdoors. I was a very skilled rider. I learned to dress properly. Dress for the crash, and not the ride.

I can ride my non-e-bike at 15 MPH. If I ride my e-bike at the same level of expending energy, I get to 20 MPH. My usual ride is 1 hour, pushing hard and trying to stay at a constant 20 MPH. I get a very good cardio workout.

I ride in cart lanes and multimodal paths. I fit in nicely with golf carts. I am not a hinderance to them.

The value of the e-bike is that I get an assist for speed, but only to 20. It will not assist past that. It is a Class 1 bike. By definition, they only assist to 20 MPH, and there is no throttle. If I want 21 MPH, I have to pedal much harder than I am capable.

I think e-bikes in general are becoming a problem. There are other classes of bikes that allow throttle-controlled propulsion. I have been passed a few times by these. I am guessing their speeds were 30+. In some cases, they were hardly pedaling. These bikes are essentially an electric motorcycle, providing very little cardio value. In some cases riders were not wearing helmets. Generally speaking, they did not look very skilled at riding.

The bikes with a throttle are Class II and are speed limited to 20 Mph. Class IIIs cut off at 28 Mph, and they might hit 30 downhill. They are only pedal assist. For the most part, the Class IIIs will average between 18 and 22, depending on the power setting, wind, grade, and how hard the rider is pedaling. The higher the power, the faster the battery depletion and lower heart rate.

Your point about the multi-modal path is very good. I like to maintain the same speed as the golf carts, especially when there isn't a place to allow them to pass. Far too many bike riders are rude (understatement) and block overtaking. The only ones worse are the ones that ride by themselves on the boulevards. The bike clubs need to ride on them, but they're the exception.

There are torque sensor bikes that require a pedal force :bigbow:

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Originally Posted by gettingby (Post 2248308)

I see people dressed in bicycle attire like Lance Armstrong would have on riding electric bikes. Some of these things go over 15 mph and the people riding them are slowly pedaling. I don’t see the heath benefits to them, am I missing something?

Yes, the concept of the benefits of fresh air in an outdoor environment is missing. On a 2 wheel vehicle (even a motorcycle) the rider feels more in tune with their environment than they do in an enclosed automobile. The rider can adjust how much exercise they are getting by using either manual pedal power or using just the throttle to use electrical power to move forward. An electric bike is QUIET so the rider is more likely to see wildlife than if they were on a noisy gas-powered, fossil fuel using, motorbike. Electric bikes usually have wider wheels than ordinary pedal bikes so they are excellent at going off-road.
.......E-bike are especially excellent for riders over age 50 who may have some knee or other issues. They can be on an E-bike and when they come to a hill that would hurt or intimidate them - they just switch to full electric and continue their ENJOYABLE ride.

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Originally Posted by gettingby (Post 2248308)

No, you are probably (?) correct, but I think you might be missing the point (and I mean this with utmost respect !)... it may be a hobby or interest, rather than purchased as a piece of health/exercise exercise equipment... right ? I have a friend here with a neurological condition that has made riding a bike out of the question, but she purchased an electric bike and is thrilled to be able to get out, "ride", see the passing sights. So, maybe they are not necessarily specifically for exercise ?

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Originally Posted by Keefelane66 (Post 2248347)

Some people should not wear spandex.

Spandex. It's a privilege, not a right...

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Originally Posted by Topspinmo (Post 2248680)

Any motorized vehicle on road should be licensed and insured. Why do electric bike get break?

What about mobility scooters?

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Originally Posted by Salty Dog (Post 2249078)

Spandex. It's a privilege, not a right...

My wife always told our girls, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should..."

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Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2249121)

My wife always told our girls, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should..."

True statement