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als RSS Feed abonnieren📚 The Pandemic Brings a New Surge in Popularity For Electric Bikes
💡 Newskategorie: IT Security Nachrichten
🔗 Quelle: hardware.slashdot.org
Battery-powered bikes "have become a compelling alternative for commuters who are being discouraged from taking public transportation and Ubers," according to the New York Times' lead consumer tech writer. In March, sales of e-bikes jumped 85% from a year earlier, according to the NPD Group, a research firm. Amazon, Walmart and Specialized are sold out of most models. Even smaller brands like Ride1Up and VanMoof have waiting lists. That's a remarkable shift. For many years, e-bikes carried the stigma of being vehicles for lazy pedalers and seniors... "I was convinced that e-bikes would completely change cities all over the world in the next 10 years, but it seems like because of this crisis, suddenly it's all happening in the next three or four months," said Taco Carlier, the chief executive of VanMoof, which is based in Amsterdam. The Times' writer notes that e-bikes are at least twice as heavy as a road bike, make an attractive target for burglar, and may need manufacturer assistance for major repairs. But he ultimately concludes that "Despite some misgivings, my experience with e-bikes made me realize the benefits are far greater than the downsides." Most important, e-bikes kept me out of my car. Whenever I had a reason to go outside — like making a trip to the grocery store or dropping off baked goods at a friend's — I preferred riding an e-bike. This will become increasingly important in the coming months. As businesses reopen, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised commuters to drive in cars alone. An e-bike may become crucial for squeezing through nightmare traffic. And the Times' reporter also claims another benefit for e-bikes: joy. "On an e-bike, I saw more of the outdoors than I normally would, while keeping a safe distance from people."
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
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