18 Wednesday, June 24, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Playground in action... The Nugget Newspaper Crossword By Jacqueline E. Mathews, Tribune News Service PHOTO BY JERRY BALDOCK Members of the City of Sisters Parks Board celebrated the opening of a new, expansive playground structure at Village Green last week. The $189,000 structure features a swing, climbing walls, and a rubber-tiled surface for safety. The installation crew got the playground set up just in time for playgrounds to reopen under Phase 2 of Oregon’s plan to ease COVID-19-related restrictions. Fit For Sisters Andrew Loscutoff Columnist What’s the deal with e-bikes? Many avid cyclists who sculpted their fitness over years of hills, endurance, and pushing the pedals don9t see e-bikes as the next great innovation in cycling prog- ress. Grouchy attitudes of <earning it= or <they don9t deserve to ride unless they can do it themselves= are short sighted at best and big- oted at worst. E-bikes are here to stay, as the European market is booming with commuters, travel compa- nies, and brands innovating well beyond what is cur- rently available in the USA. There have been funda- mental milestones in cycling history: the <safety bicycle= which is the shape of a bike with two equal sized wheels we know today; rubber pneu- matic tires; the addition of gears. The argument should be made that this is the next big step forward. All of these innovations made cycling easier, more enjoyable, and took down barriers for many potential cyclists. E-bikes are poised to do the same. Put aside the notion that e-bike riders are on slimmed down motorbikes. On an e-bike, the rider still ped- als; with the pedaling pres- sure comes an electrical assist that gives mechanical advantage. They9re pedaling, using their muscles and rid- ing 4 albeit a little faster for the given effort. E-bikes use batteries, and are not other- worldly powerful. No louder than normal bikes, they can- not roust or slash trails any more than a mechanical bike can with an aggressive rider. They provide a little more than what a fit cyclist can put out in terms of power. Another key complaint around e-bikes is that they9re dangerous because of the speed they allow people to travel. That might be the case if e-bikes were being piloted by daredevil arche- types 4 but such folks gen- erally are not riding e-bikes. Most e-bike riders are new to cycling; they have pre- existing physical limitations, or haven9t cut their chops on rambunctious trail riding. It is important to think of cycling as an activity for the general public and not just the tribe of mountain bikers or skinsuit roadies. E-bikes create opportuni- ties, facilitating commutes, grocery runs, travel tourism, etc. Most people haven9t thought about how much easier a trip to the store for a few things would be on an e-bike. It can take cargo, doesn9t need a parking spot, and makes for a casual spin. The other opportunity is in exercise. A person unac- customed to cycling isn9t going very far for very long. Most people need to enjoy exercise to want to do more, and telling people to <get used to it= obviously hasn9t solved the obesity epidemic. The opportunity to get more people involved also stands to help get more influ- ence, power, and numbers advocating for cycling. The potential for e-bikes to share the joys of cycling with more people is phenom- enal. Perhaps someone buys an e-bike on a whim, imag- ining the days of yesteryear before work and obligations took them away from the freedom of childhood. This person enjoys feeling their body in motion, free to navi- gate around their town. They may never have felt this as an adult; now they9re going to the store, then riding local paths, soon they find oth- ers and make friends. Their fitness, happiness, and life have gotten better. What is wrong with including these people in the cycling community? — Last Week’s Puzzle Solved — This Week’s Crossword Sponsors Greg Wieland L.Ac. Practicing since 1989 352 E. Hood Ave., Ste. E Sisters Acupuncture Center 541-549-1523 When the going gets tough, even the tough call us. Banr Enterprises, llc Consult | Construct | Complete Earthwork • Utilities • Grading • Rock Walls • Snow Removal Residential and Commercial Contractor CCB: 165122 www.banr.net | 541-549-6977