> they are the closest modern equivalent to horses
I'm not sure how you're making this comparison, but if we're gonna compare machines to horses, the bicycle was invented in the 19th century to compete with horses, before automobiles were invented.
His comparison makes sense to me. When you ride a horse or a moped, you aren't putting the effort into it, something else is. When you ride a bike, you're putting the effort into it. It's definitely a difference. I enjoy a 10 km bike ride, but it definitely takes effort, and I'm not likely to do that if I'm going somewhere I'm not willing to show up sweaty too. It's a completely different consideration on a moped (or a horse, but who has a horse these days anyway).
I'm not sure how you're making this comparison, but if we're gonna compare machines to horses, the bicycle was invented in the 19th century to compete with horses, before automobiles were invented.