The problem is, we’re comparing apples to oranges.
On a regular bike, where someone is using their own power to move, changing gears manually requires focus on the riding, but this is all at a pace that the rider settles into naturally.
On an ebike, the rider isn’t as focused, because the manual work is being done for them. Add automatic gears, and it removes them even further from being an active participant.
In cars, I don’t think we could apply the same stats for manual vs. automatic. Both are going high speed, and screwing up would result in far more dangerous outcomes compared to screwing up a gear change on a bike (which would slow the rider down, nor cause them to lose control at high speed, at least not on a human-powered bike).
Still, I agree that data should be used to make that determination. My point was that we already see harm in having inexperience riders on e-bikes. My assumption is that lowering the skill barrier even further would likely have a negative impact.
Still, I agree that data should be used to make that determination. My point was that we already see harm in having inexperience riders on e-bikes. My assumption is that lowering the skill barrier even further would likely have a negative impact.
And see my assumption is that inexperienced riders (and the public at large) would benefit from automatic gear changes, as that’s one less distraction for the low skilled.
I really don’t think the transmission is a skill barrier to riders of ebikes though, as the motor assistance helps negate a poor choice of gear.
as the motor assistance helps negate a poor choice of gear.
Is this way accident rates are so much higher, though? 😱 We need riders, especially the inexperienced, to slow down and be deliberate about their riding behaviour.
It will be interesting to see what happens, since everything is so new. But I really don’t want to see bikes being pushed into the same category as motorcycles, because any reason to force licensing, insurance, registration, etc. will be used against all cyclists.
The problem is, we’re comparing apples to oranges.
On a regular bike, where someone is using their own power to move, changing gears manually requires focus on the riding, but this is all at a pace that the rider settles into naturally.
On an ebike, the rider isn’t as focused, because the manual work is being done for them. Add automatic gears, and it removes them even further from being an active participant.
In cars, I don’t think we could apply the same stats for manual vs. automatic. Both are going high speed, and screwing up would result in far more dangerous outcomes compared to screwing up a gear change on a bike (which would slow the rider down, nor cause them to lose control at high speed, at least not on a human-powered bike).
Still, I agree that data should be used to make that determination. My point was that we already see harm in having inexperience riders on e-bikes. My assumption is that lowering the skill barrier even further would likely have a negative impact.
And see my assumption is that inexperienced riders (and the public at large) would benefit from automatic gear changes, as that’s one less distraction for the low skilled.
I really don’t think the transmission is a skill barrier to riders of ebikes though, as the motor assistance helps negate a poor choice of gear.
Is this way accident rates are so much higher, though? 😱 We need riders, especially the inexperienced, to slow down and be deliberate about their riding behaviour.
It will be interesting to see what happens, since everything is so new. But I really don’t want to see bikes being pushed into the same category as motorcycles, because any reason to force licensing, insurance, registration, etc. will be used against all cyclists.