E-bikes could be the electric revolution cities need • Hacker News Board

Re: E-bikes could be the electric revolution cities need

#41

Post by OGWhales » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 4:32 PM UTC

retrovm wrote: post #17

guelo wrote: post #13

Why are ebikes a revolution while mopeds have been around for decades? It seems like they fill the same niche.

You need a special license for mopeds in many jurisdictions, they weigh 100+ pounds, double what an e-bike weighs, and because of the fuel system you can't really just carry it up the stairs and leave it in your kitchen at night.

Dang, they are known are liquor cycles where I am from... on account of people with DUI charges being able to use them still.

Agreed on the second point.

Re: E-bikes could be the electric revolution cities need

#42

Post by bambax » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 4:35 PM UTC

wongarsu wrote: post #23

sp332 wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are Belgians really doing 28 MPH on a regular basis?

I think ebikes are limited to 25km/h (15mph) across the EU. That's a speed a commuter might reach on a regular bike on flat terrain, the motor just helps making it effortless and terrain-independent. It's still advisable to wear a helmet since cars drive faster than that.

Not exactly. Electric assist should stop above 25km/h for the ebike to still be considered a bicycle (and be allowed on bike lanes, etc.); but it's not hard to go above that speed when going downhill for example, and not against the law (provided you still respect the speed limit for the road you're on).

I don't think there are specific speed limits for bike lanes, or bikes, anywhere in the EU (but of course I could be wrong).

Re: E-bikes could be the electric revolution cities need

#43

Post by ScottFree » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 4:37 PM UTC

alistairSH wrote: post #29

retrovm wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Helmets are for sports. Ebikes have a ~50% market share in Belgium where approximately nobody wears a helmet ever. It's really not an issue.

Cultural differences in traffic management. In the US, bicycle infrastructure is sparse outside of dense urban cores (and even then, it can be spotty). That leaves many cyclists sharing roads with higher speed auto traffic. Also, the style of bicycle is often different. Hybrid and town bikes are far less common the US than Europe. I suspect that an easy-step over, big tire, upright town bicycle is easier (and this sa…

By that logic, shouldn't all cyclists wear a DOT rated motorcycle helmet? I'm pretty sure those flimsy bicycle helmets most people wear aren't rated for vehicular strikes.

Re: E-bikes could be the electric revolution cities need

#44

Post by novok » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 4:42 PM UTC

AJ007 wrote: post #37

ChuckNorris89 wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Helmets are for any activity that has an impact risk to your head which includes cycling not just sports. I live in Austria where few cyclists wear helmets yet my girlfriend who works in the local hospital sees patients coming in with serious head injuries on a daily basis from biking accidents that could have easily been prevented by wearing a helmet. Since then we both wear our helmets religiously. You don't even h…

Does anyone have head injury statistics? I know falls are a major cause of preventable death in the US, but I don’t even know how those break down between someone on a bike vs an old person falling over.

It's not just about death, it's also about brain damage. A broken bone is NBD compared to a TBI with often permanent damage.

You can lock helmets with bikes if you want. I used to lock my helmet with my u-lock on my bike, so if they cut off the helmet, then it isn't a very useful helmet. I now bring it with me in my bag mostly for hygenic reasons although.

Re: E-bikes could be the electric revolution cities need

#45

Post by as-j » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 4:43 PM UTC

I think this would be amazing for some cities. I've used a electric motorcycle/scooter to commute around San Francisco for 3 years now, and it made me fall in love with the city again. I've used Jump e-bikes to get around as well instead of Uber/Lyfts when I can. (I'd use them more, but their service area stop a mile from my house)

Sadly I think SF is a good special case where it works well most of the year:

1. City is pretty compact. It's not exactly 7mix7mi, but not far off either.

2. Weather is pretty good most of the year. (no ice/snow/freezing rain, etc) Yes you can cycle in fog. ;)

3. Speed limit is 20mph in residential, and 30mph on busier roads, but congestion generally makes the impossible. Bike lanes are normally free.

4. Bike lanes/paths/routes are expanding throughout the city. Including nicely protected routes.

5. Parking and Gas are expensive here. I was just in Texas and filled up a car for Sure it's a dream, and I wish the article would come true here. Imagine how cool it would be to have tons of bikes on the road and so many less cars/ICE zooming around? Ok, maybe I'm just not a car person. ;)

There are hiccups though:

1. Carrying groceries/etc. You can't get a shopping cart full and take it home.

2. Kids...getting them to school. Cargo bikes here are an option, but they need to be a certain age and I do worry about safety. :/

3. It does rain...and ridding in the rain sucks. Most parts of the US get it so much worse though, it feels hard to complain.

4. Commuting via bike to work does take time/effort. Carrying a change of clothes, showering, etc, etc.

Re: E-bikes could be the electric revolution cities need

#46

Post by bretpiatt » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 4:43 PM UTC

siffland wrote: post #18

I ride a motorcycle to work almost everyday (today's 47 degree ride was a bit brisk) and i have to say, drivers don't look out for bikes, and this is a major city (San Antonio). My big issues with motorized bicycles are lanes to ride and rules of the road. I see people riding them on sidewalks, in streets, and in bike lanes. It is almost like people on motorcycles who ride in the break down lane or lane split (both o…

I'm in San Antonio as well and have switched to Currus NF [1] high speed electric scooter. For areas of San Antonio I believe it's totally feasible now and for others due to safety / lack of roads with viable route and 35 mph or lower speed limits it is not. I spend almost all of my time inside the 10 mile diameter area bounded by 410 on the north, 10 on the south, the AT&T Center on the east and Our Lady of the Lake on the west.

While the rented scooters downtown have been a mess during the roll out they have visibly reduced downtown auto traffic (much of which my hypothesis is was Lyft / Uber / Taxis).

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsBCu-sSWII

Re: E-bikes could be the electric revolution cities need

#47

Post by agumonkey » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 4:43 PM UTC

bambax wrote: post #36

nkingsy wrote: post #6

I ebike 20 miles for work every day and live it. I don’t use my ebike for small errands because it’s too easy to just rip expensive stuff off of it while locked up. Also, the picture shows a rider with no helmet which is insane. I wear a motorcycle helmet and leathers. The speed limit for ebikes on roads in CA is 28, which is deadly with even a normal bike helmet. Finally the article says that the new models are ligh…

I built myself an ebike with a Bafang BBS02 18 months ago, and use it constantly. The main problems are: - No safe parking anywhere. So far so good but it's only a matter of time before my bike gets stolen. - Range. Much too short (less than 40km in my experience). Yet, it's fantastic. It changed my life. It almost totally replaced my motorbike for every trip except the longest ones (I live in Paris so most trips are…

Any clubs of diy ebikes nearby ?

Re: E-bikes could be the electric revolution cities need

#48

Post by alistairSH » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 4:45 PM UTC

ScottFree wrote: post #43

alistairSH wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Cultural differences in traffic management. In the US, bicycle infrastructure is sparse outside of dense urban cores (and even then, it can be spotty). That leaves many cyclists sharing roads with higher speed auto traffic. Also, the style of bicycle is often different. Hybrid and town bikes are far less common the US than Europe. I suspect that an easy-step over, big tire, upright town bicycle is easier (and this sa…

By that logic, shouldn't all cyclists wear a DOT rated motorcycle helmet? I'm pretty sure those flimsy bicycle helmets most people wear aren't rated for vehicular strikes.

Probably? And leathers too. But, pedaling in August heat in a closed helmet and heavy armored suit isn't easy.

Mostly, I'm suggesting better bicycle infrastructure is one reason people may be less likely to wear helmets in Europe vs the US. And not making any claims about how safe a helmet in the US actually is or is not.

Re: E-bikes could be the electric revolution cities need

#49

Post by Symbiote » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 4:51 PM UTC

panzerboy wrote: post #31

wongarsu wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think ebikes are limited to 25km/h (15mph) across the EU. That's a speed a commuter might reach on a regular bike on flat terrain, the motor just helps making it effortless and terrain-independent. It's still advisable to wear a helmet since cars drive faster than that.

There are eBikes which can go up to 45km/h. For those wearing a helmet is mandatory. They also have number plates and you have to have a dedicated insurance.

In British English, that's called an (electric) moped.

EU vehicle category L1e, if you want to look up the exact word in your own language.

Re: E-bikes could be the electric revolution cities need

#50

Post by underbluewaters » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 4:51 PM UTC

I've been commuting using a class-1 (limited to 20 mph) e-bike around Santa Barbara, CA for the last year and it is a dream. Far better experience than I expected. It won't work in all cities but if you have reasonable bike lanes switching over from a car can have many benefits.

  1. Cost. Sure it's a high initial outlay (3k) but I'm not paying for insurance, gas, parking, and auto loan payments.
  2. Faster. I can hop on my bike, ride to my building at 20mph, and park in my office. No dealing with paid parking in the city and walking from the lot.
  3. Better for my physical and mental health. The daily exercise, fresh air, and feeling of connection to the bustle of the streets makes me happier.

If you have a short commute and have a safe route to work or errands I highly recommend giving it a try. Being able to pick up speed and keep up with traffic helps make it much safer and easier than a non-assist bike.