> Remember the revolutionary, seemingly inevitable tech that was poised to rewrite how humans thought about transportation? The incredible amounts of hype, the secretive meetings disclosing the device, etc.? That turned out to be the self-balancing scooter known as a Segway?
Counterpoint: That's how I feel about ebikes and escooters right now.
Over the weekend, I needed to go to my parent's place for brunch. I put on my motorcycle gear, grabbed my motorcycle keys, went to my garage, and as I was about to pull out my BMW motorcycle (MSRP ~$17k), looked at my Ariel ebike (MSRP ~$2k) and decided to ride it instead. For short trips they're a game changing mode of transport.
Infrastructure helps more. I live in a hilly city and break a mild sweat pedaling up a hill to get home from work (no complaints, it's good cardio). e-scooters and bikes - slowly - get up the hills too, but it's a major difference (especially for scooters) doing this up on an old bumpy sidewalk vs an asphalt bike path
It's not superfluous at all. It's been 30C+ in flat London for weeks and my ebike means I arrive at work unflustered and in my normal clothes. There are plenty of other benefits than easier hills.
Only if your goal is to transport yourself. I use my ebike for groceries, typically I'll have the motor in the lowest power setting on the way to the store, then coming back with cargo I'll have the motor turned up. I can bring back heavy bulk items that would have been painful with a pedal bike.
Counterpoint: That's how I feel about ebikes and escooters right now.
Over the weekend, I needed to go to my parent's place for brunch. I put on my motorcycle gear, grabbed my motorcycle keys, went to my garage, and as I was about to pull out my BMW motorcycle (MSRP ~$17k), looked at my Ariel ebike (MSRP ~$2k) and decided to ride it instead. For short trips they're a game changing mode of transport.