Electric-Powered Weirdness from Eurobike 2023

 We people that sweat theair lungs out of their chest and love risking banging their full face helmet clad head into trees are, surprinsingly, a niche market. Middle age, well salaried chaps amount for a much bigger pool of money, for a longer period of time.

 I see them on this side of the pond too. A bunch of buddies parents/in-laws have them as well.

I visited St George a few months back, which is an "active retirement community" hotspot and went for a hike with the kids. I think we were passed by at least 15-20 folks on ebikes like those, many of them couples in their late 50's - maybe early 70's.

And agreed, good for them.

 I sold a lot of old people bikes that were similar to this. they want a full suspension eMTB for unpaved trails but they can't swing their leg over a toptube. if we had this available we would have sold a number of them.

 @hmstunaI: I know that's why people are buying them, but given their use, a suspension saddle/seatpost would be a better fit, and significantly cheaper.

 @jayacheess: Significantly cheaper yes. possibly would work just as well, but people want full suspension even if they don't need it and cost wasn't a major concern for a lot of these people. However, we didn't have a full suspension like this so we mostly sold people a similar hardtail and by far the most common upgrade was a suspension seatpost. We sold a large number of thudbusters.

 I like the looks of the step through design, more standover and lower center of gravity.

 @ocnlogan: I have mixed feelings. Is a person who doesn't have the fitness to pedal a mile on flat ground, and who doesn't have the bone health to lift a leg over a bike, really *safe* to be riding a bike at all?

Being old doesn't disqualify you at all, it's just the fitness of the thing that is concerning.

 @WaterBear:

I actually had a bit in my comment written about that topic, but the deleted it. I totally agree.

The other thing is that while the phrase might be "its like riding a bike", to describe "things that are hard to actually forget/easy to relearn". But, in my experience, many of these older people getting ebikes haven't ridden a bike in say... 20-40 years. So getting on one that where the bike is now 50-70lbs (way heavier), and the rider is ~30 yrs older (likely weaker), and the speeds are higher, has caused some problems.

I know a nice woman in her late 60's who just shattered her kneecap on her first ride on an ebike, due to the above issues.

So yeah, I love that they let people get out. But stay safe people .

 scooter trials!

 My favourite Egret is the Intermediate Egret.

 cause your old and forgot what it means to be a kid, enjoy your old grumpy death, and let kids enjoy the future...

 @norona: so the future means motorcycles and not bicycles to you huh?
Sad really.
Sucks to be a kid where motors are the option being presented everywhere.

We all fell in love with biking by learning to pedal. Some of us might have also learned the joys of riding motorcycles. But don't confuse the joy of one with the other.

 @BarryWalstead:
Totally agree.
The robot machine bikes will not be known as “normal”. It’s still a moped - harden up buttercups.

 An electric balance bike isn't even a moped, it's a motorbike.

 Actually, that‘s were I can kind of tolerate the batteries. This does not pretend it is a bicycle. By far less stupid than putting pedals on a motor powered vehicle.

 I think it's just a simple way to have a belt-drive bike without the need for breakable chainstays. The inner pulley goes to the back wheel and the outer pulley goes to the cranks.

 I wonder if these eGolf scooter are allowed on golf courses in the USA, I could see people getting rowdy on these things.

 @mr-epic-3: Golf polo, anyone?

 That was my first thought too

 same thought

 Actually, it's likely an electric CVT gear system (step-less gears) that uses the same concept as a Toyota eCVT.

 I’d totally watch that …it be like two wheel mayhem

 I’d love to throw a leg over that thing. Looks hilarious.

 @iduckett: I’m glad it isn’t just me

 Exactly my thoughts.
Seems the editors can't tell the difference anymore.
'Bike or motorcycle? Nah, electric scooter, that's what we'll call it. No one will even realize it's a different sport!'

 @BarryWalstead: That distinction is very, very important for the industry. You can‘t pretend anymore that it‘s „just“ mountain biking if the electric motorcycles showing up at the trailhead don‘t have cranks and pedals anymore.

 BOS Idylle 39 SC