Anxious or Bewildered
I get anxious when I see a teenager on an electric bike. Anxious might be too strong a word, bewildered might be better. I realize there are two types of electric bikes, pedal assist and full electric, I’m talking about both, but particularly the full electric. Electric bikes are for old people with arthritis. When I see a teenager ride by without having to exert energy to move, and move rapidly it should be noted, it gives me pause. By giving kids electric bikes we aren’t giving, we are taking away. I know this makes me sound old. I realize the cat is out of the bag and there is no going back when it comes to electric bikes, but there is still a part of me that thinks kids on electric bikes are missing out on something very important. A sense of self-reliance. A sense of putting effort into “getting somewhere.” I can’t help but think this will have an impact on other aspects of their lives once they become adults. We shall see.