4 ms·
the distinction feels somewhat arbitrary. the fact that you can also pedal doesn't make it not a motorcycle. it's just that electric motor take a lot less space
by make3 4y ago
the distinction feels somewhat arbitrary. the fact that you can also pedal doesn't make it not a motorcycle. it's just that electric motor take a lot less space so they look less bulky, but the functionality is the same
- brudgers 4y agoBeing able to pedal can be a legal distinction for a distinct class of vehicles. Particularly in US via the push for mopeds in the 1970's as a response to concern about fuel economy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moped https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moped
- noahtallen 4y agoI mean, most US states (but not all) have codified three ebike classes. Class 1 is pedal assist (no throttle) up to 20mph. Class 2 has a throttle up to 20mph. Class 3 is pedal assist (no throttle) up to 28mph. I have a class 3 ebike. The only difference between it and a normal bike is that I don’t have to work as hard to turn the pedals. As a result, I can go up hills easier. And maybe go a couple mph faster than my body would be capable of on a normal bike. But the overall experience is the same as biking. I’m still burning some calories, and going up hills isn’t exactly easy either. It’s a fantastic balance which turns biking from less of a sport and exercise into more of a fun activity. I’m not regularly going anywhere close to 28mph either unless I’m going downhill. It’s very comfortable to pedal at 15mph or so. (E.g. the ebike doesn’t make me feel like I must go fast all the time.) Once you step outside of this class-based system, I’m guessing the law changes pretty drastically. An electric motor on a bike allowing 50mph speeds is probably not treated by law as a bicycle.