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Some time ago I was surprised how fast these e-bikes are compared to my motorcycle. In Belgium we have plenty of roads where bikes can go but not cars & motorcy

Some time ago I was surprised how fast these e-bikes are compared to my motorcycle. In Belgium we have plenty of roads where bikes can go but not cars & motorcycles. One morning I overtook a colleague on an e-bike (max 45km/h) with my motorcycle. A few streets later I overtook him again, since he took a shortcut that I was not allowed to take. A bit later I overtook him again, since I had a red light and he again took a shortcut. We arrived at the same time at work. Impressive!

ilyt 4y ago
I've seen someone on one of those e-scooters going like 40km/h. It looked terrifying. I'd be worried doing that much on bicycle but on tiny scooter wheels anything bad and you're catapulted into pavement.
- harambae 4y ago
  I have some experience with these and 40km/h (just under 25mph) is roughly half what some will do [0][1] and with full-suspension you wouldn't necessary be catapulted with a small bump. But when going above bicycle speeds, I do tend to wear increased safety gear. My biggest concern is always being t-boned by a car. [0] https://varlascooter.com/products/varla-eagle-one-dual-motor-electric-scooter-1/ https://varlascooter.com/products/varla-eagle-one-dual-motor... [1] https://fluidfreeride.com/pages/nami-burn-e https://fluidfreeride.com/pages/nami-burn-e
vladvasiliu 4y ago
Are you sure your friend was actually allowed to take that shortcut with an e-bike going 45 km/h? AFAIK, these are considered "light motorbikes" (or something) and require the same paperwork (aside from an "easier" license) and gear as regular motorbikes. More importantly, they are specifically not bikes and aren't allowed to ride on bike lanes any more than a fat liter+ bike is.
- koonsolo 4y ago
  You are correct, but for those shortcuts it was allowed. There is however a grey zone when going on bicycle lanes next to the rivers, because you can go max 30km/h there. But when nobody is there, I'm sure most e-bikes just go max speed.
- snozolli 4y ago
  Are you sure your friend was actually allowed to take that shortcut with an e-bike going 45 km/h? If it looks like a bike and you ride it like a bike, you're not going to have any problems riding it where bikes are allowed. It sounds like you envision this person riding at absolutely maximum possible speed at all times.
  - gambiting 4y ago
    Until you hit someone with that bike, in which case you will be found 100% guilty and in massive legal trouble.
    - snozolli 4y ago
      How many times have you hit someone while riding a bicycle? I never have. How much harm do you suppose it would do, leading to "massive legal trouble"? Incidentally, 45kmh is 28mph, which I was just barely able to maintain on level ground on my road bicycle when I was fit. The "speed pedelecs" laws seem a bit silly rather than simply enforcing speed limits and penalizing reckless behavior.
      - gambiting 4y ago
        >>How many times have you hit someone while riding a bicycle? I never have. I suppose I should stop paying for car insurance then, since I never had an accident either. Or maybe more accurate example is that I shouldn't worry about the safety of my car, since I never actually hit anyone with it. >>How much harm do you suppose it would do, leading to "massive legal trouble"? There was a cyclist in london recently who ran into a woman on his modified bicycle, she tripped, hit her head on the pavement and died - he was subsequently found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to prison for many years. You could run into someone at 5mph, they could hit their head on something and die. There is another case exactly like this going on where a person hit their head on a bollard and left him permanently disabled for life. The entire point is that if you are on a path specifically forbidden for cycles, and an accident happens while you are cycling, you will be found guilty and will have to face consequences, most likely much harsher than if you weren't doing something forbidden.

ilyt 4y ago

I've seen someone on one of those e-scooters going like 40km/h. It looked terrifying. I'd be worried doing that much on bicycle but on tiny scooter wheels anything bad and you're catapulted into pavement.

harambae 4y ago
I have some experience with these and 40km/h (just under 25mph) is roughly half what some will do [0][1] and with full-suspension you wouldn't necessary be catapulted with a small bump. But when going above bicycle speeds, I do tend to wear increased safety gear. My biggest concern is always being t-boned by a car. [0] https://varlascooter.com/products/varla-eagle-one-dual-motor-electric-scooter-1/ https://varlascooter.com/products/varla-eagle-one-dual-motor... [1] https://fluidfreeride.com/pages/nami-burn-e https://fluidfreeride.com/pages/nami-burn-e

vladvasiliu 4y ago

Are you sure your friend was actually allowed to take that shortcut with an e-bike going 45 km/h? AFAIK, these are considered "light motorbikes" (or something) and require the same paperwork (aside from an "easier" license) and gear as regular motorbikes. More importantly, they are specifically not bikes and aren't allowed to ride on bike lanes any more than a fat liter+ bike is.

koonsolo 4y ago
You are correct, but for those shortcuts it was allowed. There is however a grey zone when going on bicycle lanes next to the rivers, because you can go max 30km/h there. But when nobody is there, I'm sure most e-bikes just go max speed.
snozolli 4y ago
Are you sure your friend was actually allowed to take that shortcut with an e-bike going 45 km/h? If it looks like a bike and you ride it like a bike, you're not going to have any problems riding it where bikes are allowed. It sounds like you envision this person riding at absolutely maximum possible speed at all times.
- gambiting 4y ago
  Until you hit someone with that bike, in which case you will be found 100% guilty and in massive legal trouble.
  - snozolli 4y ago
    How many times have you hit someone while riding a bicycle? I never have. How much harm do you suppose it would do, leading to "massive legal trouble"? Incidentally, 45kmh is 28mph, which I was just barely able to maintain on level ground on my road bicycle when I was fit. The "speed pedelecs" laws seem a bit silly rather than simply enforcing speed limits and penalizing reckless behavior.
    - gambiting 4y ago
      >>How many times have you hit someone while riding a bicycle? I never have. I suppose I should stop paying for car insurance then, since I never had an accident either. Or maybe more accurate example is that I shouldn't worry about the safety of my car, since I never actually hit anyone with it. >>How much harm do you suppose it would do, leading to "massive legal trouble"? There was a cyclist in london recently who ran into a woman on his modified bicycle, she tripped, hit her head on the pavement and died - he was subsequently found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to prison for many years. You could run into someone at 5mph, they could hit their head on something and die. There is another case exactly like this going on where a person hit their head on a bollard and left him permanently disabled for life. The entire point is that if you are on a path specifically forbidden for cycles, and an accident happens while you are cycling, you will be found guilty and will have to face consequences, most likely much harsher than if you weren't doing something forbidden.