Robert Cole
@rncole.bsky.social
Civil Engineer in a Nuclear World.
I'll also throw out that my kids both have standard pedelec e-bikes here in the NL, which are limited to 25km/h (~15mph), which is the only class treated the same as a bike.
Also, the 750W limit in the US is rife for software unlocks. For just getting around I'm not sure why >250W is needed.
Also, the 750W limit in the US is rife for software unlocks. For just getting around I'm not sure why >250W is needed.
November 23, 2025 at 12:58 PM
I'll also throw out that my kids both have standard pedelec e-bikes here in the NL, which are limited to 25km/h (~15mph), which is the only class treated the same as a bike.
Also, the 750W limit in the US is rife for software unlocks. For just getting around I'm not sure why >250W is needed.
Also, the 750W limit in the US is rife for software unlocks. For just getting around I'm not sure why >250W is needed.
So where's that take us? Well, part of the issue here is media conflating them all as the same (Class 1 / 2, e-dirt bike, fatbikes) either intentionally or because of the understanding issue above. When column-inches and broadcast seconds matter they're not going to try to explain the difference.
November 23, 2025 at 11:48 AM
So where's that take us? Well, part of the issue here is media conflating them all as the same (Class 1 / 2, e-dirt bike, fatbikes) either intentionally or because of the understanding issue above. When column-inches and broadcast seconds matter they're not going to try to explain the difference.
Parents don't care
Growing up I had several friends with gas mini dirt bikes. I think the same parents that would get a kid a gas dirt bike and let them ride wherever are the same that would get a kid an electric dirt bike and let 'em rip.
Growing up I had several friends with gas mini dirt bikes. I think the same parents that would get a kid a gas dirt bike and let them ride wherever are the same that would get a kid an electric dirt bike and let 'em rip.
November 23, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Parents don't care
Growing up I had several friends with gas mini dirt bikes. I think the same parents that would get a kid a gas dirt bike and let them ride wherever are the same that would get a kid an electric dirt bike and let 'em rip.
Growing up I had several friends with gas mini dirt bikes. I think the same parents that would get a kid a gas dirt bike and let them ride wherever are the same that would get a kid an electric dirt bike and let 'em rip.
Tacking on to E-bikes are Expensive, I (well, insurance) just paid as much for a replacement Bosch 500Wh battery as a whole new fatbike would cost after a theft incident. That makes the scales on a used bike just tip further.
November 23, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Tacking on to E-bikes are Expensive, I (well, insurance) just paid as much for a replacement Bosch 500Wh battery as a whole new fatbike would cost after a theft incident. That makes the scales on a used bike just tip further.
E-bikes are Expensive
A good new e-bike in your LBS is easily €2k. Going back to the research and understanding, there just isn't a decent sub-€1k option that most LBS's carry. The LBS service aspect here then no longer applies. Getting a used e-bike is a challenge as above.
A good new e-bike in your LBS is easily €2k. Going back to the research and understanding, there just isn't a decent sub-€1k option that most LBS's carry. The LBS service aspect here then no longer applies. Getting a used e-bike is a challenge as above.
November 23, 2025 at 11:48 AM
E-bikes are Expensive
A good new e-bike in your LBS is easily €2k. Going back to the research and understanding, there just isn't a decent sub-€1k option that most LBS's carry. The LBS service aspect here then no longer applies. Getting a used e-bike is a challenge as above.
A good new e-bike in your LBS is easily €2k. Going back to the research and understanding, there just isn't a decent sub-€1k option that most LBS's carry. The LBS service aspect here then no longer applies. Getting a used e-bike is a challenge as above.
Understanding
Back to language in part, but also social media and peer pressure influence come into play. A kid may pressure the parents to get a fatbike for the "cool" factor; a parent who is making an effort may think they're doing a good thing because on paper the fatbike looks "better."
Back to language in part, but also social media and peer pressure influence come into play. A kid may pressure the parents to get a fatbike for the "cool" factor; a parent who is making an effort may think they're doing a good thing because on paper the fatbike looks "better."
November 23, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Understanding
Back to language in part, but also social media and peer pressure influence come into play. A kid may pressure the parents to get a fatbike for the "cool" factor; a parent who is making an effort may think they're doing a good thing because on paper the fatbike looks "better."
Back to language in part, but also social media and peer pressure influence come into play. A kid may pressure the parents to get a fatbike for the "cool" factor; a parent who is making an effort may think they're doing a good thing because on paper the fatbike looks "better."
Cheaper
For anyone extremely cost-sensitive, it may be a fatbike or no bike. Sure, used e-bikes are a thing but that requires time and research to find. In some cases that may be with parents that don't speak the local language. It's easier to just go buy one online.
For anyone extremely cost-sensitive, it may be a fatbike or no bike. Sure, used e-bikes are a thing but that requires time and research to find. In some cases that may be with parents that don't speak the local language. It's easier to just go buy one online.
November 23, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Cheaper
For anyone extremely cost-sensitive, it may be a fatbike or no bike. Sure, used e-bikes are a thing but that requires time and research to find. In some cases that may be with parents that don't speak the local language. It's easier to just go buy one online.
For anyone extremely cost-sensitive, it may be a fatbike or no bike. Sure, used e-bikes are a thing but that requires time and research to find. In some cases that may be with parents that don't speak the local language. It's easier to just go buy one online.
I think there are a few things at play -
1. They're cheaper. A fatbike can be had (new) for <€700.
2. The parents don't understand.
3. Regular e-bikes are expensive.
4. Parents don't care.
1. They're cheaper. A fatbike can be had (new) for <€700.
2. The parents don't understand.
3. Regular e-bikes are expensive.
4. Parents don't care.
November 23, 2025 at 11:48 AM
I think there are a few things at play -
1. They're cheaper. A fatbike can be had (new) for <€700.
2. The parents don't understand.
3. Regular e-bikes are expensive.
4. Parents don't care.
1. They're cheaper. A fatbike can be had (new) for <€700.
2. The parents don't understand.
3. Regular e-bikes are expensive.
4. Parents don't care.
That said, my thoughts on how we got to fatbikes and e-dirt bikes taking over and media conflating them with regular e-bikes takes me back to ending up with a 14.4k modem when we asked for a 28.8 or 33.6k for Christmas, because "it's not worth the extra money," and my dad didn't care to understand.
November 23, 2025 at 11:48 AM
That said, my thoughts on how we got to fatbikes and e-dirt bikes taking over and media conflating them with regular e-bikes takes me back to ending up with a 14.4k modem when we asked for a 28.8 or 33.6k for Christmas, because "it's not worth the extra money," and my dad didn't care to understand.
First up, I'll say fatbikes are a menace here too.
There is definitely a prejudice of "who" has a fatbike as well (for the most part, yes this is a generalization). The "who" is typically seen as a kid who wants to look cool and not follow the rules.
There is definitely a prejudice of "who" has a fatbike as well (for the most part, yes this is a generalization). The "who" is typically seen as a kid who wants to look cool and not follow the rules.
November 23, 2025 at 11:48 AM
First up, I'll say fatbikes are a menace here too.
There is definitely a prejudice of "who" has a fatbike as well (for the most part, yes this is a generalization). The "who" is typically seen as a kid who wants to look cool and not follow the rules.
There is definitely a prejudice of "who" has a fatbike as well (for the most part, yes this is a generalization). The "who" is typically seen as a kid who wants to look cool and not follow the rules.
“Auto te gast” is a nice one.
November 14, 2025 at 10:18 PM
“Auto te gast” is a nice one.
We went from 2-2.5hrs per day of sitting in car lines to 45m when my daughter started being able to ride a city bus to school.
Then we moved to the Netherlands and we went to zero since they can ride bikes to school.
Then we moved to the Netherlands and we went to zero since they can ride bikes to school.
November 11, 2025 at 7:27 PM
We went from 2-2.5hrs per day of sitting in car lines to 45m when my daughter started being able to ride a city bus to school.
Then we moved to the Netherlands and we went to zero since they can ride bikes to school.
Then we moved to the Netherlands and we went to zero since they can ride bikes to school.
Those trucks were doing just fine in that 150 year old infrastructure until the bikes came along and fucked it up.
October 28, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Those trucks were doing just fine in that 150 year old infrastructure until the bikes came along and fucked it up.
Ironically, there’s a real possibility it will collapse because people *can’t* eat.
October 28, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Ironically, there’s a real possibility it will collapse because people *can’t* eat.
I saw an elderly lady on a bike path the other day on a quadricycle.
October 25, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I saw an elderly lady on a bike path the other day on a quadricycle.
Now, that route is a bit over 2km because of the detour. But the issues still stand. I would have no qualms with my son riding that far on his own now at all.
Hell, he’s been doing 5km walks in his own for fun these days.
Hell, he’s been doing 5km walks in his own for fun these days.
October 18, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Now, that route is a bit over 2km because of the detour. But the issues still stand. I would have no qualms with my son riding that far on his own now at all.
Hell, he’s been doing 5km walks in his own for fun these days.
Hell, he’s been doing 5km walks in his own for fun these days.
And google still routes you over a bridge that’s been closed for over a year. The only route because of that closure is Henley Street to the left.
October 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM
And google still routes you over a bridge that’s been closed for over a year. The only route because of that closure is Henley Street to the left.
Then crossing the 7 lanes again, waiting awkwardly while not trying to be hit, and crossing another 5 lanes to turn up this hill into a “bike lane”.
October 18, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Then crossing the 7 lanes again, waiting awkwardly while not trying to be hit, and crossing another 5 lanes to turn up this hill into a “bike lane”.
Your reward at the top of the hill is a BIKE LANE!
October 18, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Your reward at the top of the hill is a BIKE LANE!
Then climbing this hill in that same 60km/h traffic.
October 18, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Then climbing this hill in that same 60km/h traffic.
It would have involved crossing these 7 lanes of 35mph (60km/h) speed limit traffic and turning left in the far lane.
October 18, 2025 at 7:25 PM
It would have involved crossing these 7 lanes of 35mph (60km/h) speed limit traffic and turning left in the far lane.
In my previous city of Knoxville Tennessee there wasn’t a safe way for me to *escort my son* on bikes to school, 1.2km away.
We moved to the Netherlands and he rides to and from by himself every day, 1.6km.
We moved to the Netherlands and he rides to and from by himself every day, 1.6km.
October 18, 2025 at 7:19 PM
In my previous city of Knoxville Tennessee there wasn’t a safe way for me to *escort my son* on bikes to school, 1.2km away.
We moved to the Netherlands and he rides to and from by himself every day, 1.6km.
We moved to the Netherlands and he rides to and from by himself every day, 1.6km.