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> They aren't limited to conventional biking speed. Partially repeating my comment from another sub-thread here: In Europe, the speed at which an ebike motor

> They aren't limited to conventional biking speed. Partially repeating my comment from another sub-thread here: In Europe, the speed at which an ebike motor may assist one is limited to 25 km/h (~ 15.5 mph): > pedal cycles with pedal assistance which are equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having > a maximum continuous rated power of less than or equal to 250 W, where the output of the motor > is cut off when the cyclist stops pedalling and is otherwise progressively reduced and finally > cut off before the vehicle speed reaches 25 km/h; -- REGULATION (EU) No 168/2013, Article 2, §2 (h) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32013R0168&from=EN#d1e527-52-1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CEL... Note that while the current regulation is valid since 2016 there was a (in this regard) very similar one since 2002 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32002L0024 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A...) There are faster pedelecs, but those need to be registered and have insurance, same as any lightweight motorbike needs to have since like ever, most common are the ones <= 50cc as those are allowed with 14 or 16 years of age, and those are not allowed on bike-only roads or lanes.

mulmen 5y ago
Yes, legally they are limited. Here in the real world people are riding electric mopeds at nearly 30mph on bike paths anyway. Happens all the time. There are pedestrians walking in the bike path too. Someone is going to get hurt.
- tlamponi 5y ago
  And people also ride motorbikes in bike lanes, even cars sometimes - so what's your point? Legal ebikes won't make this more dangerous, and people doing illegal stuff are always more likely to not care and endanger people.
  - mulmen 5y ago
    I other than e-bikes I have never seen a motorcycle on a bike path. I'm not sure you know what I am talking about when I say bike path. I am talking about a dedicated asphalt path that runs parallel to a road with parking and/or a curb or barrier between traffic and the bike path. Next to this path is a sidewalk for pedestrians, separated by grass. In some places the pedestrian and bicycle traffic merge. They are always separated from traffic. Sometimes they take routes that do not follow roads, such as through parks. The road itself also has a bike lane which is striped between traffic and the parked cars. Cars and bicycles sometimes share this space, sometimes it is separated by a double white line or some cones. Considerate bicycle riders that want to go faster than is safe around pedestrians use this in-the-road bike lane rather than the bike path. This is where e-bikes that can go 28mph belong. The only motorized vehicles I have ever seen on these bicycle paths are e-bikes. I have not seen full electric motorcycles (with plates, like a Zero) or any ICE vehicle, even a moped, on these paths.
    - tlamponi 5y ago
      > I am talking about a dedicated asphalt path that runs parallel to a road with parking and/or a curb or barrier between traffic and the bike path. Next to this path is a sidewalk for pedestrians, separated by grass. In some places the pedestrian and bicycle traffic merge. They are always separated from traffic. Sometimes they take routes that do not follow roads, such as through parks. Yeah, I assumed both (separate bike road and just painted bike lane) and I've seen both.. And really even a car during rush hour, granted in a bit more rural area and the bike road wasn't _that_ much used, but still... > The only motorized vehicles I have ever seen on these bicycle paths are e-bikes. I have not seen full electric motorcycles (with plates, like a Zero) or any ICE vehicle, even a moped, on these paths. Yeah, but as, at least where I live (in a European country) they're limited to 25 km/h it's not a issue. As said, pedelecs, which can go faster, are a thing but need a plate, more safety equipment and insurance, and I see no reason why people then would more (or less) frequently use them illegally like existing motorized vehicles.
      - mulmen 5y ago
        I guess I’m missing your point. I don’t live in Europe. I am describing what I see with my eyes in my city.

mulmen 5y ago

Yes, legally they are limited. Here in the real world people are riding electric mopeds at nearly 30mph on bike paths anyway. Happens all the time. There are pedestrians walking in the bike path too. Someone is going to get hurt.

tlamponi 5y ago
And people also ride motorbikes in bike lanes, even cars sometimes - so what's your point? Legal ebikes won't make this more dangerous, and people doing illegal stuff are always more likely to not care and endanger people.
- mulmen 5y ago
  I other than e-bikes I have never seen a motorcycle on a bike path. I'm not sure you know what I am talking about when I say bike path. I am talking about a dedicated asphalt path that runs parallel to a road with parking and/or a curb or barrier between traffic and the bike path. Next to this path is a sidewalk for pedestrians, separated by grass. In some places the pedestrian and bicycle traffic merge. They are always separated from traffic. Sometimes they take routes that do not follow roads, such as through parks. The road itself also has a bike lane which is striped between traffic and the parked cars. Cars and bicycles sometimes share this space, sometimes it is separated by a double white line or some cones. Considerate bicycle riders that want to go faster than is safe around pedestrians use this in-the-road bike lane rather than the bike path. This is where e-bikes that can go 28mph belong. The only motorized vehicles I have ever seen on these bicycle paths are e-bikes. I have not seen full electric motorcycles (with plates, like a Zero) or any ICE vehicle, even a moped, on these paths.
  - tlamponi 5y ago
    > I am talking about a dedicated asphalt path that runs parallel to a road with parking and/or a curb or barrier between traffic and the bike path. Next to this path is a sidewalk for pedestrians, separated by grass. In some places the pedestrian and bicycle traffic merge. They are always separated from traffic. Sometimes they take routes that do not follow roads, such as through parks. Yeah, I assumed both (separate bike road and just painted bike lane) and I've seen both.. And really even a car during rush hour, granted in a bit more rural area and the bike road wasn't _that_ much used, but still... > The only motorized vehicles I have ever seen on these bicycle paths are e-bikes. I have not seen full electric motorcycles (with plates, like a Zero) or any ICE vehicle, even a moped, on these paths. Yeah, but as, at least where I live (in a European country) they're limited to 25 km/h it's not a issue. As said, pedelecs, which can go faster, are a thing but need a plate, more safety equipment and insurance, and I see no reason why people then would more (or less) frequently use them illegally like existing motorized vehicles.
    - mulmen 5y ago
      I guess I’m missing your point. I don’t live in Europe. I am describing what I see with my eyes in my city.