[DIVx0]

Either this is a flippant response or you've never been on an ebike. They are not motorcycles and require effort from the rider. The effort can be as minimal or as strenuous as you desire. If you measure by duration the effort is the same. If you measure by speed than one may exercise less overall but folks tend to make more ebike trips so there could be an offset there.

It is ridiculous to question if there is any effort expended.

[pgwhalen]

This reply doesn't assume best intent. I've ridden many ebikes and the effort is so clearly lower, to the point that it feels about the same as walking 1-2 mph. Maybe I ride it differently than everybody else somehow.

[endisneigh]

too many variables to compare - assistance level, wattage, gear, etc.

[pgwhalen]

This is definitely my suspicion, I mentioned it in another comment. The e biking experience I have seems extremely assisted, but I bet that's at one end of the spectrum.