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I think pedal-assist is fine, but some e-bikes are effectively motorcycles in terms of the speed they can travel. Those are dangerous on bike/pedestrian trails
by ams6110 9y ago
I think pedal-assist is fine, but some e-bikes are effectively motorcycles in terms of the speed they can travel. Those are dangerous on bike/pedestrian trails and paths. They should be licensed and taxed and require insurance like motorcycles do, and they should have to use the roads not bike paths or trails.
- tomjen3 9y agoI can see that as an argument, but can we agree to keep the question to one strictly about speeds and safety and not about the relative morals of work?
- avita1 9y agoIn my admittedly anecdotal experience, e-bike riders tend to actually be as safe if not safer on trails and paths. Plenty of traditional bikers are folks who are using bike shares and do things like not wear helmets, ignore road signs, ride two abreast, and swerve without warning. Also a problem are the "pro" bikers (you know, the ones on a racing bike, fully decked out in gear) that tend to ride ~10 mph faster than everyone else and pass aggressively. E-bikers on the other hand, go in a straight line, usually single file, without swerving and seem to follow traffic signs because they have an easier time accelerating and decelerating. Again, just my anecdotal experience -- I ride ~5 miles to/from work in New York.
- Terr_ 9y agoYeah, I imagine e-bikers have fewer incentives to "cheat" traffic rules, it costs them less to obey. I wouldn't be surprised if that overshadows any danger from introducing different travel patterns compared to regular bikes.
- RhysU 9y agoAs a motorcyclist watching food delivery guys in NYC drive electric bikes the wrong way down 1-way streets, amen. Small, underpowered motorcycles don't get special treatment under the moving laws and neither should e-bikes.