• @grue
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    English
    271 year ago

    which compared to regular bikes is another step back.

    I initially assumed that too, but it turns out that e-bikes are even more efficient than regular bikes. In other words, holding the total amount of (food calories + electricity kWh) constant, an ebike rider can go farther than a regular bike rider on the same amount of energy.

    I also recognize that it’s easy to fall into a gatekeeping attitude of considering e-bikes as “cheating” compared to regular bikes, but us cyclists have really got to work hard to get over it because it’s not helpful.

    • @[email protected]
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      fedilink
      41 year ago

      I think they called it a “step back” in terms of being worse for the environment, because of batteries, etc, while a common bike can be used for years and years without creating additional pollution.

        • @Wilzax
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          21 year ago

          That tech is unfortunately too far off at this point to be able to supply batteries to the surface of the earth in time to meet the demand from all the new electric vehicles we’re seeing.

          0G Mining isn’t a solved problem either, but we have almost zero experience with controlled reentry of materials at that scale. We would need to manufacture heat shields in space in order to do it, which is a whole other can of worms.

            • @Wilzax
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              11 year ago

              The issue isn’t whether we can mine space rocks, or even if we can bring back materials from space, it’s about doing it at scale and cost-effectively, soon enough for it to matter.

    • @AngryCommieKender
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      11 year ago

      I’m pretty sure the cyclists out on the bike path appreciate when I pass them and take point for a few minutes. They have my 6’3"/192cm frame sitting tall and creating a nice wind break for them for a few, then I resume my full speed.