Posted on 04/14/2021 11:03:51 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
France is offering the owners of old, exhaust-belching cars the opportunity to hand over their vehicles for scrap in return for a 2,500 euro ($2,975.00) grant to buy an electric bicycle.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
The Bicycle Thread PING,
I might move to France.
I used to see films of the streets of Chinese cities packed with people travelling and thank God I was born in the US. The people n the films were not in nice comforable, air conditioned cars, but riding bicycles.
And many think returning to that is progress.
BTW, I bicycle commuted for almost 20 years in Seattle because it was very good for my health and I am reaping those benefits today. But it was because I chose to, not because I had to. And if the weather sucked I drove.
So you drove 90% of the time then. Lol.
Bikes are nice- if it never rains, snow, freezes, gets to 105 degrees...
An electric bicycle for $3,000?
LOL!
A bicycle was my commute from house to the train to downtown Chicago from a northwest suburb years ago, and I rode in snow, storm, and heat, through slush on the streets and windy gusts, but it was quick and parking was generally not a problem. Did have a couple nasty spills, but nothing that required emergency treatment or even attention of a doctor (much tougher in those days).
Electric is for wusses. And at 2,500 euros, WAY overpriced.
They are getting cheaper.
What I learned was how little it actually rains in Seattle in the morning. I was willing to get soaked going home, but not riding in. Rain was surprisingly rarely a problem.
But yeah, there were times...
I now live in Kentucky. We seem to get more rain, but we get it like Hawaii. That is, a lot at once, rather than two solid weeks of mild rain, 24 hours a day, every day.
Can you ride one in the Tour de France if you identify as a cyborg?
“An electric bicycle for $3,000?”
My Democratic neighbors here in Florida have a $4,000 bike and a $5,000 bike sitting in their garage.
My $10 thrift store bike sees far more use.
Bazinga
I have a regular ride on a separate-from-traffic bicycle trail. I have wanted forever to get in behind one of those electric bikes and draft it to the beach.
I am 56 years old.
At some point I expect to convert my 8 speed bike to electric.
But only when I am hurting.
I live in San Antonio, and the above pretty much describes it most of the year. I even like the "105 degrees" as long as the humidity is low.
I bought an electric trike because I have bad knees and am lovin' it. Pedal 'til the knees hurt, throttle 'til they stop hurting...rinse and repeat.
True of most sporting equipment. It's bought with the best of intentions but then is hugely underused. The garages and basements of America are filled with weight machines, home exercise centers and treadmills, many costing far more than most of us would dream of spending on a bike, that got used for a few months, if that. Most expensive running shoes get most of their use walking from the car into Starbucks -- but if you are an avid runner and go through six pairs of shoes a year, the good shoes are worth every penny. If you are a competitive golfer -- I don't mean a PGA wannabe; just someone who is still working on his game, trying to be competitive in your club circles, taking golf vacations, shelling out for good golf courses -- the top grade clubs are worth every penny. Same with bikes. Buy a bike that you find fun to ride or you won't ride it, but know that you will in fact ride it before you spend big bucks.
An electric bicycle for $3,000?
LOL!
—
Hi-end E-bikes like the Santa Cruz Bullit can push north of $12,000.
What do skateboards go for in CA? $1,250?
Dude, you have a ways to go. I’m 63 and can still complete a 40 mile ride with an average speed between 19-20 mph. (I know there are faster riders) I sincerely wish I could restrain my competitive drive, but if you pass me on a ride, you better be able to hold that speed.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.