> The unfortunate situation is that if you are over 10 miles to your office ( which many are ) you will have a hard time making that commute in a acceptable amount of time, unless you actually make an effort at going fast.
OR, unless you get an eBike. Which, while more expensive than a regular bike, are still vastly cheaper to purchase and operate than a car. A good pre-built eBike will probably sell in the $1000-2000 range and uses a negligible amount of electricity.
I think it's tragic that ebikes have become the domain of drunks and losers. We have the perfect solution to global warming and urban intensification right there, and no self-respecting person will use it because it's a tool of the underclass.
Coming from a cyclists perspective, I always assumed that eBike riders were laypeople who just wanted to pay for the convenience to make the daunting task of pedaling seem like less of a deal.
It's truly tragic that bikes as a form of transport has been regulated to the domains of college kids, hipsters, fitness buffs, and enthusiasts.
< 15 miles is manageable for most people if they don't give up the first day they're sore.
What you are missing from your perspective is mountainous regions, long distances or fact that some people do not want to arrive too sweaty, but still wish to enjoy the ride.
I haven't had the opportunity to ride one myself, but my understanding is that they're steadily getting better on that front. Mid-drive improves balance, for example: https://www.electricbike.com/mid-drive-kits/
And if the infrastructure is good enough, a lot of people will deal with some clumsiness. Lots of people in Denmark and the Netherlands use bike trailers or cargo bikes, and having had a chance to use them, believe me, those are DEFINITELY clumsy.
OR, unless you get an eBike. Which, while more expensive than a regular bike, are still vastly cheaper to purchase and operate than a car. A good pre-built eBike will probably sell in the $1000-2000 range and uses a negligible amount of electricity.