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In my locale, they are more like small motorcycles without brakes. Actually, most of the e-cyclists are quite well behaved, but there does seem to be a tendenc
by analog31 5y ago
In my locale, they are more like small motorcycles without brakes.
Actually, most of the e-cyclists are quite well behaved, but there does seem to be a tendency among the beginners to maneuver through things at speed, that a conventional cyclist would slow down for. My guess is they haven't developed a sense for how far ahead of themselves they actually need to be paying attention.
But also, I admit that there's a certain bias here. There are fast and slow cyclists, and those who are polite or jerks. You don't notice the polite cyclists at all. You don't notice the slow jerks, because they're behind you. You only notice the fast jerks, on either electric or conventional bikes. So there's a bias towards thinking that fast riders are jerks.
- sandworm101 5y ago>> without brakes That is key. Brakes are largely unregulated on bicycles, at beyond laws saying that they need to have them. Standards for braking power and/or stopping distance would be fought tooth and nail. All those ultra-efficient bikes on slim tires wouldn't be possible if someone set minimum stopping distances.
- analog31 5y agoActually I was being sarcastic, always a bad idea on web forums, sorry. "Without brakes" meant that people don't slow down when they should. And to be charitable, I think it has to do with people learning what kind of situational awareness and reaction time are needed. The US CPSC does regulate bike brakes. The latest generation of e-bikes actually have quite effective brakes, nearly entirely hydraulic discs. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-II/subchapter-C/part-1512/subpart-A https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-II/subchapter-...
- sandworm101 5y agoThose are regs for sold bikes, not bikes on the street. It doesn't cover customized/user-modified bikes which are the vast majority of commuters these days. There was a man in the UK recently charged with the death of a pedestrian. He was on a fixed-gear bike without front brakes. Causing death during illegal activity means homicide charges in many jurisdictions.
- analog31 5y agoAha. My state prohibits operating a bike without a brake, though the regulation is light on specifics. I read about that incident too.
- Steltek 5y agoEh, the slow riders are jerks too :). At a red light, they'll cut the line and blow through the intersection. Then the light turns green and you overtake them until the next red light. Rinse and repeat until you get to work/home.
- lovemenot 5y agoNot to excuse such behaviour, but it can be explained in part by minimising time sucking emissions which are typically most noxious when a ICE is accelerating. So these jerks wishing to get upwind of accelerating tail-pipes is rational, even if selfish.