Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two

jalopnik.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

41–50 of 152 posts

Re: I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two

#41

Post by masklinn »

yardie wrote: post #25
baud147258 wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I hope you weren't on the sidewalk at this speed

They have true dedicated bike lanes in Paris. Taken from the car lanes to reduce most streets to 2 lanes. The only things allowed on the sidewalks are people, pets, prams, and cafe tables and chairs.

> They have true dedicated bike lanes in Paris. Taken from the car lanes to reduce most streets to 2 lanes. The only things allowed on the sidewalks are people, pets, prams, and cafe tables and chairs.

FWIW the only things allowed on bike lanes are bicycles[0] and tricycles. Motorised cycles (including e-scooters or ebikes) are not allowed and should be on the road (if they're legal at all, which e-scooters often are not as they don't fit the motorbike standards e.g. no license plates, etc…).

[0] this includes EN15194 LEV: pedal-assistance only, under 250W continuous rated power, 25km/h assistance cutoff

Re: I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two

#42

Post by ptaipale »

masklinn wrote: post #16
lmm wrote: post #10

> We’ve restricted our entrants to scooter-type vehicles (as opposed to e-assist bicycles) And then the conclusion is that the most bicycle-like one is best because it's more bicycle-like. Seems like a category arbitrage rather than a fair analysis of mobility options.

> And then the conclusion is that the most bicycle-like one is best because it's more bicycle-like. Seems like a category arbitrage rather than a fair analysis of mobility options. And refusing to take bike paths with not-a-bike is apparently eliminatory rather than making the device shoot up to the top of the ranking. Give the article opens up with > they want the rights of a pedestrian, the rights of a bicycle, and…

I understand that rules for bike paths depend on local jurisdiction, but why wouldn't an e-scooter fit a bike path in Venice, CA?

Over here (Finland, like all of Europe) we have roads, we have bike paths, and we have pedestrian pavements. E-scooters are always good for bike paths, and if they move faster than 15 km/h, they are not to be ridden in pedestrian areas, only bike paths, even if they are not exactly bikes.

If there is a road, a bike path and a pavement, each group has their own lane. If there's only a road, everyone uses it, with pedestrians on the side and bikes next.

If there's a road and a pavement, then pedestrians and slow e-scooters use pavement and bicycles and fast e-scooters use the road.

If there is only road and bike path, motor vehicles use the road and everyone else uses the bike path, with pedestrians on the side.

I do agree what you say about music blasting mopeds...

Re: I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two

#44

Post by Luc »

derefr wrote: post #36
yardie wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They have true dedicated bike lanes in Paris. Taken from the car lanes to reduce most streets to 2 lanes. The only things allowed on the sidewalks are people, pets, prams, and cafe tables and chairs.

How about those moped-shaped electric wheelchair buggies? (I’ve always wondered what the proper “lane” for those is; they go fast enough and have enough momentum that they’re dangerous on the sidewalk, but they’re unprotected enough that it’s dangerous for them to be in the bike lane, let alone a car lane.) ...or do those even exist outside of America (and maybe the ex-Commonwealth)?

They're considered equivalent to pedestrians and should use the sidewalk at walking speed, unless it's blocked. They shouldn't be on the bicycle path.

According to French rules of the road, that is. https://ressources-ergo.com/legislation-et-fauteuil-roulant-...

Re: I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two

#45

Post by icebraining »

Tepix wrote: post #38
kcorbitt wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I regularly ride my e-bike in SF but have also dabbled with the rental scooters. I have a hard time understanding the scooters' popularity, compared to a rentable e-bike like the Jump or Lime bikes. In my experience e-bikes have the advantage in top speed, stability, comfort and safety. Other than taking up marginally more space when parked, I can't think of any downsides. This matches the article author's conclusion…

It's trivial to take your e-scooter with you in the subway, in your car and in your office.

Yeah, but we're talking about rentals.

Re: I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two

#46

Post by masklinn »

ptaipale wrote: post #42
masklinn wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> And then the conclusion is that the most bicycle-like one is best because it's more bicycle-like. Seems like a category arbitrage rather than a fair analysis of mobility options. And refusing to take bike paths with not-a-bike is apparently eliminatory rather than making the device shoot up to the top of the ranking. Give the article opens up with > they want the rights of a pedestrian, the rights of a bicycle, and…

I understand that rules for bike paths depend on local jurisdiction, but why wouldn't an e-scooter fit a bike path in Venice, CA? Over here (Finland, like all of Europe) we have roads, we have bike paths, and we have pedestrian pavements. E-scooters are always good for bike paths, and if they move faster than 15 km/h, they are not to be ridden in pedestrian areas, only bike paths, even if they are not exactly bikes.…

> Over here (Finland, like all of Europe) we have roads, we have bike paths, and we have pedestrian pavements. E-scooters are always good for bike paths

Are you sure about that? Because it's not an EN15194 LEV, so whether it's considered a bike (allowed on bike paths) or a moped (not so) [edit: or are completely illegal as jdietrich reminds me] is a local / national concern.

For instance France just passed a law which will allow e-scooters on bike lanes with various limitations (and requirements, like a horn and both front and back lights). The law passed in February, and will take effect in September. E-scooters on bike paths is currently illegal there.

Re: I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two

#47

Post by KirinDave »

kcorbitt wrote: post #19
lmm wrote: post #10

> We’ve restricted our entrants to scooter-type vehicles (as opposed to e-assist bicycles) And then the conclusion is that the most bicycle-like one is best because it's more bicycle-like. Seems like a category arbitrage rather than a fair analysis of mobility options.

I regularly ride my e-bike in SF but have also dabbled with the rental scooters. I have a hard time understanding the scooters' popularity, compared to a rentable e-bike like the Jump or Lime bikes. In my experience e-bikes have the advantage in top speed, stability, comfort and safety. Other than taking up marginally more space when parked, I can't think of any downsides. This matches the article author's conclusion…

The difference is we in SF have serious hills. Therefore bikes are a better form factor for us.

Scooters are fine if you're doing 10 flat miles.

Re: I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two

#48

Post by masto »

The headline makes it sound like they tested all the scooters you can buy, but it's specifically talking about 5 rental scooter brands in one location:

"We’ve restricted our entrants to scooter-type vehicles available on the street for rent in Venice, CA as of May 13, 2019. For this test, that means Bird, Lime, Lyft, Jump (Uber), and Wheels are in the game."

Re: I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two

#49

Post by cjrp »

justaguyhere wrote: post #20

During the single day of this test, I found three Wheels with intentionally cut brake lines WTF is wrong with people? I understand these things are annoying and litter sidewalks, but intentionally cutting brakes to harm someone? Jeez, this is just shitty behavior

> Jeez, this is just shitty behavior

Also, manslaughter.

Re: I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two

#50

Post by icebraining »

twoquestions wrote: post #27

Is there a cargo scooter/bike that can carry groceries? I'm not asking for more cargo than I can carry in my hands, but I can't imagine carrying more than a gallon of milk home in one of these.

The Jump bikes (now owned by Uber) have a front basket, I think you could carry a gallon of milk in there: https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2JfovJ9ePnfvHQI3SyuAgZx-teA=...
Post reply on HN