@fine_sandy_bottom @Jiggle_Physics there is a tiny bit of truth to the above conspiracy theory. It is the forces that have fed the “e-bikes are controversial” narrative. But it doesn’t need governments involved, just corporate pressure to fight change.

(Arguements about how integrated big companies and governments are clouds the distinction)

And choosing selling ads vs being a decent news company and having good, balanced, reporting they nefariously choose to take profit by manufacturing controversy. They, as in the the news in general, also have a history of coming to the defense of the oil industry, and shitting on anything in competition to it, because it is a vital venue for US imperialism, or economic influence, as they might say. It has proven so intentional that they call everything they say on this subject into question. You are free to feel that these economic interests don’t play a significant factor in the broader operations of why they release the articles they do, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t that way.