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I think the phrase e-bike generally refers to a bicycle, with operable pedals, that also has an electric motor to assist when peddling, and possibly a throttle.

I think the phrase e-bike generally refers to a bicycle, with operable pedals, that also has an electric motor to assist when peddling, and possibly a throttle. When I think electric motorcycle, I think of something that does not have pedals at all.

analog31 5y ago
One issue is that the pedals could be practically cosmetic, if the power added by the motor is such that pedaling is unnecessary. This was true with some early mopeds too -- the pedals were pretty much good for starting the motor and nothing else. I'm seeing more of this as e-bikes evolve towards smaller diameter, wider tires and heavier frames. The US "class" system seems useful, inasmuch as it more or less specifies the capability of the bike with and without pedaling. I'm all for adding a new transportation / recreation option, and have adopted a wait-and-see attitude for how the technology and its use will evolve. So far, e-bikes have not affected my use of a conventional bike, except for people asking me when I'm going to get an e-bike.
- mastax 5y ago
  Huh, I've never seen a moped that you could pedal like a bike even in a photo. Apparently the "ped" is from "pedal," not "pedestrian." I wonder if eBikes will follow the same path? I don't think they will, a gas motor is already disruptive enough that you may as well become a motorcycle.
  - throwaway_se099 5y ago
    I've never seen a moped that you could pedal like a bike even in a photo. As an example, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puch_Maxi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puch_Maxi
  - analog31 5y ago
    I wonder if electric starters killed the pedals. I grew up in an area that was pretty heavily car-centric, so we didn't see a lot of alternatives. The Schwinn store got the Solex Horse, which had pedals, but they were really only useful for starting as there was one gear with a low ratio. The only next thing we saw was the Honda Spree, which as I recall had an electric starter and whatever qualified as an "automatic transmission," and I think that class of scooter is still more or less the standard today. It seemed like a big step forward in terms of ease of use.
- jbergens 5y ago
  In Sweden there are different classes depending on if the motor can drive when you are not pedaling.

analog31 5y ago

One issue is that the pedals could be practically cosmetic, if the power added by the motor is such that pedaling is unnecessary. This was true with some early mopeds too -- the pedals were pretty much good for starting the motor and nothing else. I'm seeing more of this as e-bikes evolve towards smaller diameter, wider tires and heavier frames. The US "class" system seems useful, inasmuch as it more or less specifies the capability of the bike with and without pedaling. I'm all for adding a new transportation / recreation option, and have adopted a wait-and-see attitude for how the technology and its use will evolve. So far, e-bikes have not affected my use of a conventional bike, except for people asking me when I'm going to get an e-bike.

mastax 5y ago
Huh, I've never seen a moped that you could pedal like a bike even in a photo. Apparently the "ped" is from "pedal," not "pedestrian." I wonder if eBikes will follow the same path? I don't think they will, a gas motor is already disruptive enough that you may as well become a motorcycle.
- throwaway_se099 5y ago
  I've never seen a moped that you could pedal like a bike even in a photo. As an example, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puch_Maxi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puch_Maxi
- analog31 5y ago
  I wonder if electric starters killed the pedals. I grew up in an area that was pretty heavily car-centric, so we didn't see a lot of alternatives. The Schwinn store got the Solex Horse, which had pedals, but they were really only useful for starting as there was one gear with a low ratio. The only next thing we saw was the Honda Spree, which as I recall had an electric starter and whatever qualified as an "automatic transmission," and I think that class of scooter is still more or less the standard today. It seemed like a big step forward in terms of ease of use.
jbergens 5y ago
In Sweden there are different classes depending on if the motor can drive when you are not pedaling.