4 ms·

The author longs for an environment that doesn’t force her to be more like a car in order to justify living.

by idontwantthis 4y ago

colinmhayes 4y ago
Ebikes are much more like bikes than cars. Biggest difference is you don’t need to shower when you get to work.
- KennyBlanken 4y ago
  You don't need a shower when you get to work on a regular bike, either. You just need to slow down and budget more time for your commute. That's it. Slow down. I have given this advice to multiple people who were new to bike commuting and every single one looked at me like I was a Martian. A week later they said "You were right!" I've biked in one hundred degree weather and arrived in barely a light sweat. Yes, I put on hiking shorts which were passable, and the lightest athletic shirt I owned, but I didn't need a shower. I just budgeted a bunch of extra time that morning, and barely pressed the pedals, whereas usually I'd be pedaling decently hard the entire way, even down hills. Because I was expending virtually no effort - biking is more efficient than walking - and had a ~10mph breeze - I was comfortable. It helps that I eat a decently varied diet so I don't have horrific BO, use soaps that aren't loaded with shitty artificial scents and chemicals, and wash my clothing with no softener and "free" detergent that lacks any sort of perfume.
  - seoaeu 4y ago
    Ok, if you are going to use that strategy then the trade-off is that on e-bikes you can go much faster than a normal bike
  - lostdog 4y ago
    > I've biked in one hundred degree weather... Most people sweat just standing in 100 degree weather, so maybe you are unusual?
  - philips 4y ago
    My experience using an ebike to commute with children is way nicer than when I was doing it with my unassisted bike. There is only so much slower you can go with an additional 100lbs.
  - twobitshifter 4y ago
    Even so, you really made the argument for ebikes. With the e-bike, you’d get there at a normal pace, carry cargo, wear ordinary clothing, and not need a diet change.

The author longs for an environment that doesn’t force her to be more like a car in order to justify living.

colinmhayes 4y ago

Ebikes are much more like bikes than cars. Biggest difference is you don’t need to shower when you get to work.

KennyBlanken 4y ago
You don't need a shower when you get to work on a regular bike, either. You just need to slow down and budget more time for your commute. That's it. Slow down. I have given this advice to multiple people who were new to bike commuting and every single one looked at me like I was a Martian. A week later they said "You were right!" I've biked in one hundred degree weather and arrived in barely a light sweat. Yes, I put on hiking shorts which were passable, and the lightest athletic shirt I owned, but I didn't need a shower. I just budgeted a bunch of extra time that morning, and barely pressed the pedals, whereas usually I'd be pedaling decently hard the entire way, even down hills. Because I was expending virtually no effort - biking is more efficient than walking - and had a ~10mph breeze - I was comfortable. It helps that I eat a decently varied diet so I don't have horrific BO, use soaps that aren't loaded with shitty artificial scents and chemicals, and wash my clothing with no softener and "free" detergent that lacks any sort of perfume.
- seoaeu 4y ago
  Ok, if you are going to use that strategy then the trade-off is that on e-bikes you can go much faster than a normal bike
- lostdog 4y ago
  > I've biked in one hundred degree weather... Most people sweat just standing in 100 degree weather, so maybe you are unusual?
- philips 4y ago
  My experience using an ebike to commute with children is way nicer than when I was doing it with my unassisted bike. There is only so much slower you can go with an additional 100lbs.
- twobitshifter 4y ago
  Even so, you really made the argument for ebikes. With the e-bike, you’d get there at a normal pace, carry cargo, wear ordinary clothing, and not need a diet change.