4 ms·

It should be classified by acceleration not velocity. Weight and velocity are also important (potential energy which could cause harm) but acceleration is the

It should be classified by acceleration not velocity. Weight and velocity are also important (potential energy which could cause harm) but acceleration is the right way to sort things into lanes, there can also be an energy constraint for the lane but acceleration is about being able to anticipate the behavior of something so that you can avoid the accident in the first place. Electric bikes can accelerate fast and the user will also not care as much about stopping (and losing hard won inertia) this could invalidate some expectation and cause an accident.

brnt 7y ago
Well, acceleration may be non-linear (bikes accelerate 0-10 faster than anything else, which is why sometimes in NL bikes may wait in front of cars before stoplights[1]). Top-speed and weight are also important factors in whether or not it would be smart to mix. However, this results in a matrix of separated lanes that is impractical ;) Finding a good compromise (such as [1]) I think is a better idea. Lowering car speeds such that we can mix is a good one, as well as the introduction of speed limits on cycling paths [2], which would force certain bikes to slow down. [1] https://gratistheorie.nl/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/opgeblazen-fietsopstelstrook.jpg https://gratistheorie.nl/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/opgeblaz... [2] https://www.fietsersbond.nl/nieuws/een-maximum-snelheid-op-het-fietspad-2/ https://www.fietsersbond.nl/nieuws/een-maximum-snelheid-op-h...
- gpm 7y ago
  > bikes accelerate 0-10 faster than anything else As a cyclist, I don't believe this claim for a second. When a car starts moving at the same time as me, it's faster than me from the start. Which makes sense, it has more horse power per unit mass. Often I do start moving first, because I think I'm less likely to get right hooked if I do so. But that's a result of paying attention and having my for on the "accelerator" waiting to go. (Also maybe a tiny bit of lag for a car to get into gear, but that's not substantial).
  - brnt 7y ago
    Well, it is certainly my personal experience, and the infra design I linked seems to take advantage of it. But, perhaps I am spoiled by more careful car traffic, because it's quite rare that cars would speed into an intersection because they're by default liable in accidents with cyclists, who may enter the intersection with various accelerations. Also, a bike mechanic once blamed my chain wearing out too fast on me accelerating like a crazy motorist.
  - kalenx 7y ago
    The relevant metric is the torque at low (or 0) RPM, not the (horse) power. I do agree that a good electric car may start faster than a cyclist, however.
    - clarry 7y ago
      Dunno, my ICE idles at 900 RPM and I tend to give it a bit of gas as I start going. I don't think my feet could put out anywhere near as much torque.

brnt 7y ago

Well, acceleration may be non-linear (bikes accelerate 0-10 faster than anything else, which is why sometimes in NL bikes may wait in front of cars before stoplights[1]). Top-speed and weight are also important factors in whether or not it would be smart to mix. However, this results in a matrix of separated lanes that is impractical ;) Finding a good compromise (such as [1]) I think is a better idea. Lowering car speeds such that we can mix is a good one, as well as the introduction of speed limits on cycling paths [2], which would force certain bikes to slow down. [1] https://gratistheorie.nl/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/opgeblazen-fietsopstelstrook.jpg https://gratistheorie.nl/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/opgeblaz... [2] https://www.fietsersbond.nl/nieuws/een-maximum-snelheid-op-het-fietspad-2/ https://www.fietsersbond.nl/nieuws/een-maximum-snelheid-op-h...

gpm 7y ago
> bikes accelerate 0-10 faster than anything else As a cyclist, I don't believe this claim for a second. When a car starts moving at the same time as me, it's faster than me from the start. Which makes sense, it has more horse power per unit mass. Often I do start moving first, because I think I'm less likely to get right hooked if I do so. But that's a result of paying attention and having my for on the "accelerator" waiting to go. (Also maybe a tiny bit of lag for a car to get into gear, but that's not substantial).
- brnt 7y ago
  Well, it is certainly my personal experience, and the infra design I linked seems to take advantage of it. But, perhaps I am spoiled by more careful car traffic, because it's quite rare that cars would speed into an intersection because they're by default liable in accidents with cyclists, who may enter the intersection with various accelerations. Also, a bike mechanic once blamed my chain wearing out too fast on me accelerating like a crazy motorist.
- kalenx 7y ago
  The relevant metric is the torque at low (or 0) RPM, not the (horse) power. I do agree that a good electric car may start faster than a cyclist, however.
  - clarry 7y ago
    Dunno, my ICE idles at 900 RPM and I tend to give it a bit of gas as I start going. I don't think my feet could put out anywhere near as much torque.