I editorialised the title as the original was clickbait, but the video itself is quite good. Interestingly, e-bikes are claimed to have lower emissions than acoustic bikes, although it likely depends on diet (the author didn’t specifically compare a vegan diet between the two types but did indicate that vegan + electric is the most carbon efficient form).

    • toadyody@kbin.social
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      8
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      edit-2
      8 months ago

      It usually works out pretty well with native speakers not familiar with the term. They usually have a moment with a blank stare thinking “what the hell is an acoustic bike?” and then realize all at once with a smirk.

      As for your second question, acoustic becomes a good classification when talking to a group where electric bikes are the default, just like electric becomes a good classification where pure pedal bikes are the default. In a group where ebikes are the default they might assume you’re talking about throttle type if you say analog, or a pedal assist bike if you said manual. It started as a joke and became a useful term.

      • boatswain@infosec.pub
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        arrow-down
        2
        ·
        8 months ago

        I’m a native speaker and my first thought was “wtf is an acoustic bike?” “Analog bike” would make a bit more sense.

        • n2burns
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          2
          arrow-down
          2
          ·
          8 months ago

          Analog is the opposite of digital, which doesn’t describe an electric bike.

    • n2burns
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      8 months ago

      Analog is the opposite of digital, which doesn’t describe an electric bike.

      • Tvkan@feddit.de
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        arrow-down
        2
        ·
        8 months ago

        “Analog” has been used to say “the older, pre-computer version” since for decades now. It’s fine.