Is it worth getting an e-bike ?

Just like assholes, everyone has them, and at 74 I despise them, but I actually despise e-bike riders more than I despise e-bikes. But more on that later. As someone who has been riding a bike for decades, I feel a certain egotism about being able to go wherever I want under my own power. Sure, it's slower than it was 30-40 years ago, but I live in a very hilly city. Now I know how lucky I am and I don't take it for granted. I dream of being able to do more self-contained bike touring and I can't wait for this covid thing to be over.

Now, I know that someday I won't be able to bike tour for it, and I'm glad that e-bikes are getting better and better. They are great for people who have mobility issues and someday I will too. I hope that by then there will be an e-bike that responds like a real bike, not a beach cruiser. Like one that doesn't weigh 50 or 60 kilos. They don't cost thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. The more people who bike, the healthier this world will be. The more people who bike, the healthier this world will be and the better it will be for the environment. I get the most excitement when I see a mom or dad with one or two kids on the back of an e-bike. I also really like eBikes for deliveries and eBikes in coffee shops.

Here are a couple of issues. Basically, many people ride very fast in the bike lanes. If you can ride as fast as a car (or as fast as a car), then get out on the roadway. I can't tell you how many times I've seen e-bikes ridden really poorly by people who don't know how to ride with others in the bike lane.