'70 MPH e-bikes' prompt one US state to change its laws
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Re: '70 MPH e-bikes' prompt one US state to change its laws
#2That's not an e-bike. That's an electric motorcycle.
Re: '70 MPH e-bikes' prompt one US state to change its laws
#3That's not an e-bike. That's an electric motorcycle.
If I put a speed limiter on a Harley so that it doesn't exceed 30 mph is it a bike? I'm sure teenagers would love this loophole to drive a motorcycle without a license more than the 70mph bike.
Clearly speed isn't the only thing that matters to this classification and we've made a mess conflating "can ride on public roads" and "can operate a motor vehicle" and deciding what exactly we have a problem with for under 16s.
Re: '70 MPH e-bikes' prompt one US state to change its laws
#4That's not an e-bike. That's an electric motorcycle.
If I put a speed limiter on a Harley so that it doesn't exceed 30 mph is it a bike? I'm sure teenagers would love this loophole to drive a motorcycle without a license more than the 70mph bike. Clearly speed isn't the only thing that matters to this classification and we've made a mess conflating "can ride on public roads" and "can operate a motor vehicle" and deciding what exactly we have a problem with for under 16…
Good question. I think this makes sense. The distinction between bike and motorcycle should be based on capability. So if you reduce the speed of a motorcycle you could argue that it’s a bike now.
Re: '70 MPH e-bikes' prompt one US state to change its laws
#5Going 30 on anything that resembles a bike in geometry and construction is not a leisurely activity one engages in casually. 40 is pushing it, 50 you know is unsafe. 70 is a publicity stunt in a controlled environment. Yes, I know road bikes (with or without electricity) hit high speeds in certain situations, but those situations are away from traffic or potential traffic, a big downhill in the middle of nowhere or a race course or something like that.
This is a self solving problem. It doesn't need a law. Nobody is going lightening fast on anything that resembles a bike except in the few situations where a) they can b) doing so is less sketchy than not (e.g. going faster than the bike "likes" is can be less sketchy than going too slow for traffic).
The fact that there is a huge pent up demand for "totally not a moped" type stuff really goes to show you the degree to which not laughing these people out of town has already perverted the personal transportation market.
Edit: The above are Philly speeds. Add 5-10mph for Miami or somewhere else wide, smooth and flat with great visibility. But the cars are going faster there too and the pedestrians are fewer and/or more removes so I don't think it actually matters.
Re: '70 MPH e-bikes' prompt one US state to change its laws
#6That's not an e-bike. That's an electric motorcycle.
Take a look at the Super73 mentioned in the piece: It has pedals directly connected to a chain. That's the difference between a motorcycle and an e-bike, not speed.
Edit: I am not saying these things aren't crazy fast and dangerous, but if you go into an electric motorcycle store and they try to sell you an e-bike with a pedal assist, it's obvious they are not the same thing. The form-factor is just different.
Re: '70 MPH e-bikes' prompt one US state to change its laws
#7That's not an e-bike. That's an electric motorcycle.
If I put a speed limiter on a Harley so that it doesn't exceed 30 mph is it a bike? I'm sure teenagers would love this loophole to drive a motorcycle without a license more than the 70mph bike. Clearly speed isn't the only thing that matters to this classification and we've made a mess conflating "can ride on public roads" and "can operate a motor vehicle" and deciding what exactly we have a problem with for under 16…
> I'm sure teenagers would love this loophole to drive a motorcycle without a license
In France, you can drive without a license once you're 14 (you need the BSR but it's basically impossible to not get it). If I remember correctly the motor has to be a 50cm3 or equivalent and go under 45 (or 50?) km per hour.
So effectively, if you put the right motor in a Harley, you can. The bikes discussed here have large motors but only a speed limiter which is very different.
Re: '70 MPH e-bikes' prompt one US state to change its laws
#8"Connecticut already uses the common three-class system that codifies legal e-bikes as up to 20 mph (32 km/h) and 750W (one horsepower) for Class 1 and 2, or up to 28 mph (45 km/h) for Class 3 e-bikes.
But now the state is updating its e-bike laws, adding that any e-bike with over 750W of power will be considered a “motor-driven cycle” and require a driver’s license. Over 3,500W? That will be considered a motorcycle and require a motorcycle endorsement to legally ride, as well as registration and insurance like a motorcycle. "
I love PEVs and this basically makes sense to me.
Re: '70 MPH e-bikes' prompt one US state to change its laws
#9Going 30 on anything that resembles a bike in geometry and construction is not a leisurely activity one engages in casually. 40 is pushing it, 50 you know is unsafe. 70 is a publicity stunt in a controlled environment. Yes, I know road bikes (with or without electricity) hit high speeds in certain situations, but those situations are away from traffic or potential traffic, a big downhill in the middle of nowhere or a…
They may be more concerned about risks to pedestrians and people on slower bicycles rather than risks to the speeders themselves.
Re: '70 MPH e-bikes' prompt one US state to change its laws
#10When I wanted to purchase a Super 73 bike before, they advertised and claimed it was compliant with Class 1 and Class 2 eBike rules, because you could set it in a mode, where it would operate in this class, when bike laws in most states are pretty clear that for an ebike to qualify and still be subject to bicycle laws not motorcycle laws, the device must not go beyond a maximum speed. You cannot just set a toggle and have a setting of Class 1/Class 2/Unlimited and still be able to operate it on the sidewalk or in parks or in bike lanes or not have a license etc.
Glad someone is finally calling them out on it.