I’m Sick of Seeing Electric Bikes Butchered in Movies
Look, I get it. Hollywood needs to make things dramatic. But come on, the way they handle electric bikes in movies is completley ridiculous. I’m talking about the scenes where someone’s supposedly riding an e-bike but it looks like they’re pedaling a horse. It’s just… yeah.
I’ve been in this industry for over 20 years. I’ve seen alot of things, but nothing frustrates me more than the misrepresentation of something I’m passionate about. Electric bikes are cool, they’re efficient, and they’re here to stay. But you wouldn’t know it from watching most movies.
My Friend Marcus Almost Spat Out His Coffee
Last Tuesday, Marcus and I were over coffee at the place on 5th. We were talking about the latest action flick, and there was this scene where the hero jumps onto an electric bike, and it’s supposed to be this high-speed chase. But the bike’s got no throttle response, and it’s clear the actor’s just pedaling like a maniac. Marcus looked at me and said, “Dave, that’s not how e-bikes work. That’s just wrong.” And he’s right. It’s not just bad acting; it’s bad writing.
I mean, I get it. Writers and directors aren’t mechanics. But honestly, it’s 2023. You can Google stuff. Or better yet, talk to someone who knows. Like, I don’t know, maybe someone from electricbikes.tv? Just a thought.
The Problem Isn’t Just Ignorance
It’s not like I expect every movie to be a technical manual. But there’s a difference between artistic license and outright ignorance. And honestly, it feels like Hollywood’s stuck in the past. They’re still treating e-bikes like some kinda novelty. But let’s be real, e-bikes are everywhere. They’re in cities, they’re in suburbs, they’re even in Las Vegas latest news today update check it out.
And it’s not just the big budget films. Even TV shows are guilty of this. I was watching this show the other night, and there was a scene where a character hops on an e-bike to escape some bad guys. But the bike’s got no motor sound, no acceleration. It’s just… lame. And it’s not just one show. It’s alot of shows. It’s like they’re all using the same lazy script.
A Personal Rant About ‘Speed’
Don’t even get me started on ‘Speed’ from 1994. I know, I know, it’s an old movie. But it’s a classic. And the way they handled the bike scenes was just… ugh. The bike’s supposed to be this high-tech, futuristic thing, but it looks like a kid’s toy. And the way the actor’s pedaling? It’s like he’s trying to outrun a lawnmower. It’s just not realistic.
But here’s the thing. It doesn’t have to be. Movies are about escapism. They’re about fantasy. But there’s a difference between fantasy and outright stupidity. And honestly, it feels like Hollywood’s crossed that line.
The One Exception That Proves the Rule
Now, I’m not saying every movie gets it wrong. There are exceptions. Like that scene in ‘The Martian’ where Matt Damon’s character uses an e-bike to get around Mars. That was actually kinda cool. But even then, it’s not like they went into great detail about the bike’s specs. It’s just… there. And it works.
But those scenes are few and far between. Most of the time, it’s just… bad. And it’s not just the bikes. It’s the way they’re portrayed. It’s like Hollywood’s stuck in some kinda time warp where e-bikes are still a novelty. But they’re not. They’re here. They’re real. And they’re not going away.
A Quick Digression About Gaming
Speaking of misrepresentation, let’s talk about video games. Now, I’m not a huge gamer, but even I know that e-bikes in games are just as bad as in movies. I was playing this game the other day, and there was a scene where the character hops on an e-bike to escape some bad guys. But the bike’s got no throttle response, no acceleration. It’s just… lame. And it’s not just one game. It’s alot of games. It’s like they’re all using the same lazy script.
But here’s the thing. Games have the potential to be so much more. They can be immersive, they can be realistic. But most of the time, they’re just… not. And it’s frustrating. Because games have the potential to be so much more. They can be a platform for education, for awareness. But most of the time, they’re just… not.
Back to the Main Point
But I digress. The point is, Hollywood needs to get its act together. E-bikes are here to stay. They’re not going away. And it’s time for the movies to catch up. It’s time for writers and directors to do their research. To talk to experts. To actually understand the technology they’re portraying.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about accuracy. It’s about respect. It’s about acknowledging that e-bikes are a part of our world. And they deserve to be portrayed accurately. Not as some kinda joke. Not as some kinda novelty. But as what they are: a legitimate form of transportation.
So come on, Hollywood. Do better. Be better. Because we, the audience, deserve better. And honestly, so do e-bikes.
About the Author: Dave has been a senior magazine editor for over 20 years, covering everything from movies to tech. He’s passionate about electric bikes and thinks Hollywood could do a better job portraying them. When he’s not writing, he’s probably out riding his own e-bike, wishing it could go as fast as the ones in the movies.
