France is now offering a €4k e-bike subsidy to people who trade in their car

Re:France is now offering a €4k e-bike subsidy to people who... by adrianN on Tuesday August 23, 2022 @09:14AM (#32564438)

Modern bicycles on modern roads have better range and are far faster than horses. The problem in 1800s London was that bicycles weren't invented yet and the roads weren't asphalt. Vulcanization was only invented in 1839. The Pony Express for example averaged to 10 miles per hour and had stations every couple of miles.

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Re:France is now offering a €4k e-bike subsidy to people who... by silon42 on Tuesday August 23, 2022 @10:00AM (#32565034)

I'd prefer a 4 wheeled electric horse, even if it was limited to 20mph.

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Re:France is now offering a €4k e-bike subsidy to people who... by pjmlp on Tuesday August 23, 2022 @09:24AM (#32564574)

At least chariots keep people dry during Winter, and not soaked in sweat during Summer.

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Re:France is now offering a €4k e-bike subsidy to people who... by adrianN on Tuesday August 23, 2022 @09:29AM (#32564628)

Consumer demand is the only reason why we don't have many bicycle models on the market that keep the rider dry. You don't sweat on an electric bike.

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Re:France is now offering a €4k e-bike subsidy to people who... by rtlfe on Tuesday August 23, 2022 @09:41AM (#32564783)

Or golf carts. If cities would allow them on the streets, they would be a great way to start transitioning away from cars.

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Re:France is now offering a €4k e-bike subsidy to people who... by pjmlp on Tuesday August 23, 2022 @09:34AM (#32564704)

Try not to sweat on a electric bike when the average temperature is 35 degrees Celsius, on average.

You sweat only from thinking about moving out of the shade.

Electric bicycle are poor alternative to e-motorbikes, and even the wind at 120 km/h does little help regarding warm weather.

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Re:France is now offering a €4k e-bike subsidy to people who... by adrianN on Tuesday August 23, 2022 @09:42AM (#32564797)

When was the last time you rode an electric bike in summer? Unless humidity is also very high I find it much more pleasant than just walking. You can't compare it to riding a motorcycle because you're not clad in leather from head to toe.

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Re:France is now offering a €4k e-bike subsidy to people who... by pjmlp on Tuesday August 23, 2022 @09:45AM (#32564828)

Most southern countries in Europe people aren't clad in leather when driving motorbikes, the most crazy ones might even only have a bathing suit as clothes when going around the traditional Summer vacation regions.

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Re:France is now offering a €4k e-bike subsidy to people who... by adrianN on Tuesday August 23, 2022 @11:09AM (#32566026)

How is it possible that people drive motorbikes in southern countries when it's literally torture to be outside in warm weather?

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Re:France is now offering a €4k e-bike subsidy to people who... by pjmlp on Tuesday August 23, 2022 @11:23AM (#32566258)

People need to move regardless of the weather conditions, so they pick what makes it comfortable to do so.

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Re:France is now offering a €4k e-bike subsidy to people who... by rtlfe on Tuesday August 23, 2022 @09:40AM (#32564773)

Avoiding sweat is not a good reason to keep people in 5,000lb mobile air conditioners. There are plenty of hot cities where the majority commutes by walking or non-air-conditioned trains.

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Re:France is now offering a €4k e-bike subsidy to people who... by pjmlp on Tuesday August 23, 2022 @09:43AM (#32564810)

Some of each because they lack the means of having an option.

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