Some cyclists dislike e-bikes because of “cheating,” safety worries, trail conflicts, and culture clashes. Here’s what really causes the e-bike vs bike tension.
Some cyclists dislike e-bikes because they see them as “cheating,” worry about higher speeds and heavier bikes in crowded spaces, or feel that electric bikes threaten traditional cycling culture. Others are frustrated by a few reckless riders and by weak rules around e-bike safety and infrastructure. In reality, most of the conflict comes from change, misunderstandings, and a small number of bad actors—not from e-bikes themselves.
1. “Cheating” and the culture of suffering
In many road and mountain bike circles, suffering is a feature, not a bug. Long climbs, hard intervals, and big mileage are part of a personal identity: I earn my speed with my legs.
From that point of view, e-bikes can feel like buying the result instead of doing the work. Riders on traditional bikes may see someone flying up a climb on an electric bike and label it “lazy” or “not real cycling.” Articles in cycling media openly talk about e-bikes as “cheating” or a threat to the purity of the sport.
But this view ignores a few facts:
- Most electric bikes for adults still require pedaling (especially Class 1 and Class 3).
- Assistance levels can be set low for fitness, high for mobility or recovery rides.
- Many “die-hard” cyclists now use an e-road bike for rehab, commuting, or easy days.
For performance racing, human power will stay central. But for transport, fun, and inclusive riding, e-bikes are simply another tool.
2. Safety concerns: speed, weight, and behavior
Another reason some cyclists dislike e-bikes is fear around safety:
- E-bikes are often heavier than regular bikes.
- They can reach higher average speeds, especially in traffic.
- New or young riders can get into trouble with “too much bike” too fast.
Some studies and health organizations highlight that e-bike crashes can lead to more severe injuries, partly because riders mix with car traffic at higher speeds.
Other research on shared paths and intersections looks at conflicts between e-bikes, cyclists, and pedestrians, noting risky behaviors like speeding and red-light running among some riders.
However, a few important points often get lost:
- Traditional cyclists also speed, run red lights, and break rules—sometimes more often than casual e-bike riders.
- Many crashes involve poor infrastructure: narrow lanes, bad sightlines, no separation between bikes and cars.
- Most e-bike riders never appear in crash data at all; they ride cautiously.
So the problem is less “all e-bikes are unsafe” and more “a mix of bad design, weak enforcement, and a minority of reckless riders on both regular bikes and e-bikes.”
3. Trail access, path damage, and crowding
On mountain bike trails and shared paths, some cyclists worry that electric mountain bikes and high-powered e-bikes will:
- Tear up soft trails by spinning out under power
- Bring more inexperienced riders onto technical routes
- Turn quiet paths into fast two-way traffic
Online threads and local debates often mention riders using powerful off-road e-bikes on trails not designed for motorized vehicles, or taking delivery cargo ebikes onto narrow paths.
At the same time, cities around the world complain about dockless rental e-bikes being dumped across sidewalks or ridden fast through crowded pedestrian areas. Some councils have called shared e-bikes a “complete nuisance” and pushed for stricter parking and riding rules.
For traditional cyclists who fought for access and respect over many years, it can feel like e-bikes might undo that progress—or get everyone banned from certain trails and paths.
4. Culture clash and identity
Cycling is not just transport; it’s a culture. Club rides, training logs, “no e-bikes on this ride” group rules, expensive carbon frames—these all shape how some riders see themselves.
When e-bikes show up, they change the picture:
- Group ride dynamics shift when one rider has a motor and the rest don’t.
- High-end e-bikes that look almost like regular bikes can trigger a sense of “pretend” or unfairness.
- Some long-time cyclists fear their skills and effort are being devalued.
On the flip side, electric bikes for adults open cycling to people who were never part of that culture at all: older riders, disabled riders, busy parents, and people who simply want a car-free way to get around. For them, the “culture war” is confusing—they just see a practical machine that lets them ride.
The clash is less about hardware and more about identity: What counts as real cycling, and who gets to decide?
5. Misconceptions about e-bikes
Alongside real concerns, there are several myths that fuel dislike of e-bikes:
Myth 1: E-bikes are just for lazy people
Many riders use commuter e-bikes to replace car trips, not exercise. Others use them to keep riding through age, illness, hills, or long commutes. They still pedal—just with help.
Myth 2: E-bikes are always more dangerous
Crash data is mixed and heavily influenced by how and where bikes are used. Some studies show higher injury severity in e-bike crashes; others find that conflicts depend more on behavior and infrastructure than the motor itself.
Myth 3: E-bikes are bad for the environment
There is a real footprint from battery production. But when electric bikes replace car trips—especially short urban drives—they can significantly cut local emissions and congestion.
Myth 4: E-bikes will replace regular bikes
In practice, many people own both. E-bikes often bring new riders into cycling, some of whom later buy a non-assisted bike as confidence and fitness improve.
6. Are e-bikes actually bad for cycling?
Looking at the big picture, e-bikes are changing cycling but not destroying it.
Positive impacts
- Get more people riding instead of driving
- Extend the riding years of older cyclists
- Make hills, heat, wind, and distance more manageable
- Help people with health issues or disabilities stay active
Real challenges
- Need better rules for high-powered off-road e-bikes and modified machines
- Require clearer e-bike speed limits, signage, and enforcement in some cities
- Demand infrastructure that can handle more riders at different speeds
Whether that overall shift is “good” or “bad” depends on what you value. If the goal is more people using two wheels instead of cars, electric bikes are a strong win. If the only goal is preserving a narrow race-style cycling culture, they will always feel like a threat.
7. What e-bike riders can do to reduce tension
E-bike riders can remove many objections by riding like ambassadors:
- Match your speed to the space – slow down on crowded paths, blind corners, and shared trails.
- Use your bell and voice – call out “passing on your left” and give space when overtaking.
- Respect trail and class rules – if a trail says “no motorized,” don’t bring a high-powered throttle bike.
- Ride predictably – no weaving through tight spaces or jumping lights.
- Be group-ride aware – on mixed rides, don’t sit on max assist on every climb; adjust to the slowest rider.
Good behavior from e-bike riders makes it much harder to blame the machine.
8. What traditional cyclists can do differently
Cyclists on regular bikes also play a part:
- Recognize that many electric bikes for adults keep people riding who would otherwise quit.
- Separate frustration with a few reckless riders from judgment of all e-bikers.
- Set clear rules for club rides (for example, “acoustic bikes only” or “Class 1 e-bikes welcome”) and communicate them kindly.
- Advocate for better infrastructure and smart e-bike regulations instead of blanket bans.
Seeing e-bikes as an ally in the fight against car dependency, not an enemy inside cycling, can shift the tone of the whole discussion.
Final thoughts
Some cyclists dislike e-bikes because they challenge long-held ideas about effort, identity, and what “real cycling” looks like. Others are worried about safety, trail damage, or messy shared-bike systems. A small minority of bad or inexperienced riders on powerful machines can make the whole group look bad.
At the same time, electric bikes get more people outside, reduce car trips, and keep many riders active later in life. With better etiquette, infrastructure, and rules, regular bikes and e-bikes can share roads and trails—and the energy spent on hating can go back into actually riding.
