😀🚲You know, if those trips were going to be taken on bikes without motors, they already would. #eBikes are the bikes that don't gather dust in the back of the garage, that actually replace car trips. Some people don't need them, but the people still in cars clearly aren't those ones.
It's not going to get someone into shape to feel defeated on the way home from the grocery store, trudging up the last hill with a laden acoustic bike. Many people are not going to go ride it just for exercise. An easy car replacement, even if you barely pedal, is going to get you more active than sitting in a car. I've heard plenty of these stories from people who were able to gradually get in shape thanks to the assisted moderate effort of regular e-bike use. It just removes barriers.
sanae 
(SF)@enobacon also like convincing other people to get exercise is pretty low on my list of priorities, people can make whatever transportation choices they like that don't involve messing up the planet I'm living on
Daigoro Toyama@sanae @enobacon There are studies that indicate riding an e-bike can get you as fit as riding an acoustic one, or even more fit. The main reason seems to be that as you said, an e-bike will encourage you to ride more and further, thereby resulting in more physical work than just riding an acoustic bike here and there.
@daihard @enobacon either way I think it's pretty unimportant. I actually think the focus on fitness is bad because it cements the idea that riding a bike is something you do for recreation, maybe something where you even drive your bike to the starting point, or as part of a niche fitness oriented lifestyle, rather than a way to get around. It also makes riding a bike sound a lot more challenging than it actually is for people who do not see themselves in fitness oriented subcultures
bluGill@enobacon @daihard Most people's doctors tell them to exercise more (except for a few athletes almost all adults need more). The question is how do we sell ebikes as an easy no excuses way to exercise? That might be just sell them as the environmental or cheap way to get around and not mention until they are already doing it that they get the health as well.
@sanae @[email protected] @enobacon This may not be in the scope of this conversation, but the question then is, how do we promote (e-)cycling to those who've never cycled for transport? To me, having relatively safe bike infrastructure is an absolute prerequisite. Explaning the benefits of cycling may be helpful, but without safe bike infra, I'm afraid it's very hard to convince the general public to try cycling.