The affordability argument falls flat here in the Netherlands, where bikes, e-bikes and mopeds are widespread, and where most trips can be easily done with a regular bicycle.
But e-bikes tend to be more expensive and have a reputation as something for well-off working adults or pensioners. For youth, these “fatbikes” as we call them are mainly status symbols and I suspect they’re viewed as a stepping stone to a full car, which makes me worry that we’ll see the SUV-ification of bicycles getting bigger and more car-like.
I haven’t had bad experiences with the drivers of these, but because they’re trending and mostly owned by naive/reckless youngsters, they get stolen so often that insurers won’t cover them. There’s also the usual “Chinese quality” talking points.
The affordability argument falls flat here in the Netherlands, where bikes, e-bikes and mopeds are widespread, and where most trips can be easily done with a regular bicycle.
But e-bikes tend to be more expensive and have a reputation as something for well-off working adults or pensioners. For youth, these “fatbikes” as we call them are mainly status symbols and I suspect they’re viewed as a stepping stone to a full car, which makes me worry that we’ll see the SUV-ification of bicycles getting bigger and more car-like.
I haven’t had bad experiences with the drivers of these, but because they’re trending and mostly owned by naive/reckless youngsters, they get stolen so often that insurers won’t cover them. There’s also the usual “Chinese quality” talking points.