This thread in indicative of the also ran mentality. The position of the cyclist is simple, "If you want to be a cyclist then ride a bicycle." Although quad biking, motorbiking and e-biking are similar to bicycling, they are not the same. Just because it looks like a bicycle, does not mean it is a bicycle. Being in the boy scouts, police force, nursing or fire brigade does not mean you are a soldier or visa versa. Although it may seem the same to outsiders, it is very different to those involved. Uniformed is not the same as military. Being able to operate msoffice does not make you a computer programmer, and being a computer programmer does not mean that you know msoffice like a wizzkid. The important consideration is that e-bikes have a place in society, they are great weight-loss tools (but also can work in the reverse), they are also great for commuting, for trail laying, for adventuring and doing personal tours. But just like motorboats are not raced at sailing events, e-bikes cannot be raced against normal bikes. Any attempt to "mix" e-bikes with bicycles in a competition, or to compare or equate e-bikes with bicycles, deserves the ridicule and ire it gets.
