For the past few years, there's been a growing trend in cycling - ebikes. For about the same price I'd spend on a regular bike, you can get one with a pedal-assisted throttle. You can even convert your bike with a nice motor. I've seen them everywhere, both on roads and trails. The people who seem to dislike them most are, believe it or not, cyclists. Frankly, I think these purists are snobs.
I like them myself. I can understand why you can get rattled when someone flies by on an ebike without so much as a "How do you do?", but I get passed by a lot of road bikes as well. There's always someone faster.
I particularly like talking to older people on ebikes. Many of them would be doing nothing without them. Yesterday, I cycled a few miles with a retired tractor trailer driver who loved to cycle but then was sidelined with cardiopulmonary issues. He converted his bike and is able to ride regularly and even can pedal.
I asked him what area of the country he likes best. Upstate NY, he answered. I asked him if cops tend to go easy on truckers. He told me most of them are great, except in Ohio.
I'm no cycle purist. I wear a helmet but have no problem with people who prefer not to because most cycling injuries are to the shoulders, arms and clavicle, not the head. But on ebikes, which can hit speeds of 51 mph, I think they're a good idea.
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