“Compared to self-driving cars, and just about any other mobility mode, e-bikes have flourished…If 2023’s trendline continues, the humble e-bike, not the flashy self-driving car, will be poised to reconfigure American transportation.” — @davidzipper.bsky.social www.fastcompany.com/90994141/why... - ThreadSky

brenttoderian.bsky.social • 136 days ago

“Compared to self-driving cars, and just about any other mobility mode, e-bikes have flourished…If 2023’s trendline continues, the humble e-bike, not the flashy self-driving car, will be poised to reconfigure American transportation.” — @davidzipper.bsky.social
https://www.fastcompany.com/90994141/why-2023-was-the-year-of-the-e-bike-and-not-the-self-driving-car

Comments

504spyboy.bsky.social•136 days ago

The proliferation of e-bikes has made even more urgent the public safety need to designate ped-friendly urban corridors: Block car/truck access every other intersection to divert and calm traffic.

joelcawley.bsky.social•135 days ago

EBikes are fantastic. After I got my first one I almost never used my car to get around the city of Denver. I could beat any of my car driving friends to any of our usual destinations while having far more fun. I put over 15,000 miles before trading it in on my second.

runsonveg.bsky.social•135 days ago

So jealous. I'd love to switch a lot to an e-bike but I live in a rural/suburban area on outskirts of LA and it feels actively hostile to people on bikes to get anywhere they need to go.

wildplumbay.bsky.social•136 days ago

I wish the little shared scooters had four little wheels instead of two: for better balance.

trikebum.bsky.social•135 days ago

This is the year I went electric ⚡️
I've been carless for 30 yrs, and I pedal slower every year 🐌
Bought a DIY conversion kit for my #cargotrike for $1100 & feel like a kid again!

l-e-m.bsky.social•136 days ago

📌

nicom.bsky.social•136 days ago

love my ebike. 4 years and still going.

stasherbc.bsky.social•136 days ago

Love my ebike, picked up a cross country focused long range one this year so I can leave my car at home. My North Cowichan council meetings are 30km roundtrip and my CVRD board meetings are 50km roundtrip. Love using my ebike as car alternative, biked 1000Km+ this year performing elected duties.

rickdaly.bsky.social•136 days ago

Yeah, I hoped for this, an engineering no brainer and I think the power assist is key to enable more trailers, which completes the utility piece...?

philbixby.bsky.social•136 days ago

I've an Urban Arrow e-cargo bike. It's a hefty thing, able to take a lockable "boot" full of stuff. Even as a serious (ex-racing) cyclist the e-assist is essential. But a weekly charge? 500Wh or whatever? It's a fabulously efficient combo with a pair of legs...

rickdaly.bsky.social•136 days ago

Some guys tried a cyclic moving company in Montreal, with a larger trailer...this might be enough to make it viable. One thing I noticed using a trailer is the side frame hitches torque the axle bolt enough to snap it eventually...hitch design and/or trailer rated axle bolts might need looked at ?

philbixby.bsky.social•136 days ago

I'm sure there's a market for really serious shit-shifting e-cargo bikes but equally I reckon the often-missed sector is convenience / fun. Lockable boot and nimble through traffic. If you gave car drivers in a traffic queue a test ride, many would be reaching for their credit card...

rickdaly.bsky.social•136 days ago

Yeah, nice,bit pricey when a hundred dollar trailer will do...looks like better than 3k for that one...?

philbixby.bsky.social•136 days ago

Depends on spec but yes, over £3k. But - my point - very different in terms of convenience to a hundred dollar trailer. Returning from a meeting & want to do a food shop, no probs. Want to park it, locked, while having lunch or doing a site visit? No probs. Etc... just what people expect in a car.

dwtelford.bsky.social•136 days ago

I was in Copenhagen last year. So many bikes and e-bikes. EVs too. People ride their bikes to work or to the store or whatever It is so quiet. I heard one car horn the entire time I was there and it was somebody waving to a friend. They also obey traffic laws. It was wonderful.

cra5htig3r.bsky.social•136 days ago

I’d love to get one, although a lot of the good ones are 3-4K or even more. I bought a regular bike instead, although I end up getting to work being all sweaty 😅
Wish there were more subsidies for them. The cheaper e-bikes have poor battery life which just makes e-waste 🫠

ummagummibear.bsky.social•136 days ago

For sure, they will become much more popular once they are more affordable (with decent quality).

sandiearth.bsky.social•135 days ago

I've had one for 5 years, so fast, so fun, so environment

tedtansley.bsky.social•136 days ago

Just trying to figure out how to get folks to talk about this. In Michigan our leaders are still wondering why billions in subsidies aren't enough to keep auto jobs. We could be building ebikes and infrastructure instead.

purpletopneep.bsky.social•136 days ago

I got an e-bike in 2023 and it has been life-changing. I've put more than 1000 miles on it this year, and commuting by bike, even once a week, has done wonders for my mental health!

eightysixer.bsky.social•136 days ago

Someone tell Donkey Doug!

joelodge.com•136 days ago

Really hope that this plays out in favour of the e-bike, but there's a huge mindset shift needed. Electric cars have an important role too. Self driving not so much and having seen NJB's latest video I'd say that we are probably better off without them.

captjohnparker.bsky.social•136 days ago

I had occasion to rent an ebike on a recent trip to DC. I was blown away! I can see a decent market for an e cargo bike. The many short trips I make when I debate whether to ride bike or take car would be 90% ecb if it could carry sbout 3 standard grocery bags

dern.im•136 days ago

Our cargo e-bike replaces a car 👍 daycare, groceries, everyday trips. Biggest hurdle is mindset, imo: we know many people with cargo bikes that still drive if there’s the slightest chance of rain, wind, cold, anything (just dress appropriately!).
Also, better infrastructure would help, as usual.

yorrike.bsky.social•136 days ago

This Billy Connolly quote gets me out into the most torrential rain

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