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I wonder if it's selection bias, but I feel like I'm seeing way more conversation today about electric scooters than I've ever heard about similar on-demand bik

I wonder if it's selection bias, but I feel like I'm seeing way more conversation today about electric scooters than I've ever heard about similar on-demand bike platforms that started a few years ago. I never realised it, but the argument of bikes vs scooters (bulky, hard to transport, etc) is a real one and makes a lot of sense on why using an electric scooter (at least for shorter distances) would be more attractive than a bike.

masklinn 8y ago
> I never realised it, but the argument of bikes vs scooters (bulky, hard to transport, etc) is a real one and makes a lot of sense on why using an electric scooter (at least for shorter distances) would be more attractive than a bike. Indeed, I got myself one and that was very much the discriminant, it's not faster than a bike and has less range (top speed of ~20km/h and ~20km range), it's also somewhat uncomfortable (small solid rubber wheels) however it's much simpler to fold/unfold, less cumbersome (in terms of volume & transportability) & weight-competitive (~13kg) with folding bikes let alone electric foldings. I can go to work with it and come back on public transport without bothering anyone, it takes a few seconds to fold it and go up/down stairs, … Even a light ebike like the QiCYCLE (which isn't officially available where I live anyway) is much more cumbersome to carry around — especially with it in one hand and a bag in the other or the like —, heavier, and requires half a dozen movements to fold or unfold, mostly for reasons intrinsics to bikes" you need a proper crankset with enough clearance to pedal, a chain or other transmission to the wheel, a high-enough seatpost to actually pedal, wheels big enough for all that to make sense, … none of which are necessary on PMDs. It doesn't have the "cycling" fallback if out of juice, but by and large the distances I'm using it on make that a non-issue. I feel lazy as hell riding it, but laziness is not the primary reason I got it instead of a bike/ebike (though I'll admit it was probably part of the overall).
- wmertens 8y ago
  Regarding the laziness, i kick while scooting, making it go faster which is very dynamic and lots of fun, although it doesn't seem to impact the range.
edaemon 8y ago
This is why I use an electric skateboard. Once I get to my destination, I don't have lock it outside or bring it into a bike parking room. I can just bring it inside with me. It's small enough to easily stash it or put it in a grocery cart. It's not perfect but I've found it to be very convenient. I think you're right about the scooters vs bike programs: people like that they're small. Another big thing is that they're electric; there's no work involved. You can easily just get on and go. Like the article touches on, people don't want to sweat on their way to work. The only real barrier to widespread adoption of this kind of thing seems to be infrastructure -- American infrastructure is built for cars and/or pedestrians. A third space for small personal vehicles (bikes, scooters, skateboards, etc.) would free that up but obviously comes with a cost.

masklinn 8y ago

> I never realised it, but the argument of bikes vs scooters (bulky, hard to transport, etc) is a real one and makes a lot of sense on why using an electric scooter (at least for shorter distances) would be more attractive than a bike. Indeed, I got myself one and that was very much the discriminant, it's not faster than a bike and has less range (top speed of ~20km/h and ~20km range), it's also somewhat uncomfortable (small solid rubber wheels) however it's much simpler to fold/unfold, less cumbersome (in terms of volume & transportability) & weight-competitive (~13kg) with folding bikes let alone electric foldings. I can go to work with it and come back on public transport without bothering anyone, it takes a few seconds to fold it and go up/down stairs, … Even a light ebike like the QiCYCLE (which isn't officially available where I live anyway) is much more cumbersome to carry around — especially with it in one hand and a bag in the other or the like —, heavier, and requires half a dozen movements to fold or unfold, mostly for reasons intrinsics to bikes" you need a proper crankset with enough clearance to pedal, a chain or other transmission to the wheel, a high-enough seatpost to actually pedal, wheels big enough for all that to make sense, … none of which are necessary on PMDs. It doesn't have the "cycling" fallback if out of juice, but by and large the distances I'm using it on make that a non-issue. I feel lazy as hell riding it, but laziness is not the primary reason I got it instead of a bike/ebike (though I'll admit it was probably part of the overall).

wmertens 8y ago
Regarding the laziness, i kick while scooting, making it go faster which is very dynamic and lots of fun, although it doesn't seem to impact the range.

edaemon 8y ago

This is why I use an electric skateboard. Once I get to my destination, I don't have lock it outside or bring it into a bike parking room. I can just bring it inside with me. It's small enough to easily stash it or put it in a grocery cart. It's not perfect but I've found it to be very convenient. I think you're right about the scooters vs bike programs: people like that they're small. Another big thing is that they're electric; there's no work involved. You can easily just get on and go. Like the article touches on, people don't want to sweat on their way to work. The only real barrier to widespread adoption of this kind of thing seems to be infrastructure -- American infrastructure is built for cars and/or pedestrians. A third space for small personal vehicles (bikes, scooters, skateboards, etc.) would free that up but obviously comes with a cost.