42 ms·

I’m not exactly sure what counts as an e-bike but here in nyc we have people riding vehicles that are significantly heavier than a typical bike, go 20ish miles

I’m not exactly sure what counts as an e-bike but here in nyc we have people riding vehicles that are significantly heavier than a typical bike, go 20ish miles an hour, and require no peddling in bike lanes. Can’t say I care for that.

maxerickson 4y ago
Exceeding the speeds expected by other users is the only issue really. I guess if the weight is way out of proportion that can start to be a problem.
lm28469 4y ago
In Europe they mostly solved that through regulation, ebikes can't provide power if you're not actively pedalling, they're caped to 25kph (~15mph) and can't exceed 250w, if they go faster or provide power by another mean they're considered like 50cc mopped or motorcycles depending on the speed/power which means you need an insurance and a license plate
- bradleyjg 4y ago
  I believe something like this is technically the law here as well. But it goes completely unenforced.
  - dghlsakjg 4y ago
    The NYPD does pretty regular publicity about taking these off the road. Which would be fine if they did anything at all about protecting vulnerable users from motor vehicles. https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2021/11/29/nypd-seizes-illegal-mopeds-then-disseminates-misinformation-lies-and-anti-cycling-propaganda/ https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2021/11/29/nypd-seizes-illegal-m... https://cleantechnica.com/2022/06/01/when-seconds-count-nypd-is-busy-harassing-e-bike-owners/ https://cleantechnica.com/2022/06/01/when-seconds-count-nypd... https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/the-nypds-new-efforts-to-police-e-bikes-and-e-scooters/3647468/ https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/the-nypds-new-efforts-to-pol...
    - bradleyjg 4y ago
      I’m looking out my window and see two. I stand by the claim that it’s basically unenforced.
      - dghlsakjg 4y ago
        How can you tell that they’re over the legal limit?
        bradleyjg 4y ago
        They look nothing like bicycles. Closer to a motorcycle or moped. If they count as e-bikes the definition is a bad one.
        dghlsakjg 4y ago
        They may be mopeds. Pretty broad definitions of what is legal in NYC. https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bicyclists/ebikes.shtml https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bicyclists/ebikes.shtml Is it possible that you just don’t like what is defined as legal?
        bradleyjg 4y ago
        According to that link (thanks) it looks like mopeds require license plates and can’t drive in bike lanes. So what I’m seeing out my window is illegal.
bobbylarrybobby 4y ago
The issue is nobody wants to be out with the cars. Can't blame them, really. As a frequent CitiBike user I try to cut them some (purely mental) slack if they're not being too jerky about it.

maxerickson 4y ago

Exceeding the speeds expected by other users is the only issue really. I guess if the weight is way out of proportion that can start to be a problem.

lm28469 4y ago

In Europe they mostly solved that through regulation, ebikes can't provide power if you're not actively pedalling, they're caped to 25kph (~15mph) and can't exceed 250w, if they go faster or provide power by another mean they're considered like 50cc mopped or motorcycles depending on the speed/power which means you need an insurance and a license plate

bradleyjg 4y ago
I believe something like this is technically the law here as well. But it goes completely unenforced.
- dghlsakjg 4y ago
  The NYPD does pretty regular publicity about taking these off the road. Which would be fine if they did anything at all about protecting vulnerable users from motor vehicles. https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2021/11/29/nypd-seizes-illegal-mopeds-then-disseminates-misinformation-lies-and-anti-cycling-propaganda/ https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2021/11/29/nypd-seizes-illegal-m... https://cleantechnica.com/2022/06/01/when-seconds-count-nypd-is-busy-harassing-e-bike-owners/ https://cleantechnica.com/2022/06/01/when-seconds-count-nypd... https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/the-nypds-new-efforts-to-police-e-bikes-and-e-scooters/3647468/ https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/the-nypds-new-efforts-to-pol...
  - bradleyjg 4y ago
    I’m looking out my window and see two. I stand by the claim that it’s basically unenforced.
    - dghlsakjg 4y ago
      How can you tell that they’re over the legal limit?
      - bradleyjg 4y ago
        They look nothing like bicycles. Closer to a motorcycle or moped. If they count as e-bikes the definition is a bad one.
        dghlsakjg 4y ago
        They may be mopeds. Pretty broad definitions of what is legal in NYC. https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bicyclists/ebikes.shtml https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bicyclists/ebikes.shtml Is it possible that you just don’t like what is defined as legal?
        bradleyjg 4y ago
        According to that link (thanks) it looks like mopeds require license plates and can’t drive in bike lanes. So what I’m seeing out my window is illegal.

bobbylarrybobby 4y ago

The issue is nobody wants to be out with the cars. Can't blame them, really. As a frequent CitiBike user I try to cut them some (purely mental) slack if they're not being too jerky about it.