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That’s the opposite of what we need. Bikes should be unencumbered by all that crap. Helmets are a good idea and may save some money but it would be better to ma

That’s the opposite of what we need. Bikes should be unencumbered by all that crap. Helmets are a good idea and may save some money but it would be better to make those free as part of the deal than to regulate them. I don’t understand the argument for registration, plates, motorcycle, etc. We’re talking about low speed, low risk, low property damage. Sure, you can die or cause death on one but it’s so much less likely than a car and the exercise alone would have a positive impact in the U.S. that could very well offset the costs.

cmdli 3y ago
As someone who rides motorcycles, even low speed collisions can be dangerous. Anything above ~20mph means that you are going to hit the ground pretty hard and then skid, taking off skin. Regular bikes are mostly fine, but it quickly gets dangerous even to fall off in a single-person accident at higher speeds.
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]
monkeywork 3y ago
>We’re talking about low speed, low risk, low property damage. You realize that many of these are now being sold going 40-60mph ... that's not low speed, not low risk (many of them are built with wheels and brakes that are not safe for the speeds not to mention the cheap chinese batteries that catch on fire), nor low property damage when they hit things at top speed. > exercise alone would have a positive impact in the U.S. that could very well offset the costs. What exercise? The vast majority of these being sold aren't "pedal assisted" they are full electric sudo motorcycles.
- sleepybrett 3y ago
  In america, at least in washington state we are limited to 750w and 25mph. You can throttle or pedal assist and then the motor cuts out and it's just you and your legs. There are some electric scooters (think vespa, not razor) and such, but those need to be licensed like motorcycles.
- acover 3y ago
  Aren't those already not classified as ebikes and therefore treated as motorcycles? They need insurance, registration, etc but are being driven illegally just like people drive cars illegally.
  - monkeywork 3y ago
    Not where I am - if you read my original comment I made that pretty clear. The term e-bike here covers everything from motor assisted traditional bikes to what is basically an electric dirt bike with the later generally being more popular than the former
    - acover 3y ago
      You're in Toronto! It seems like it's pretty similar to BC. > a maximum assisted speed of 32 km/h https://www.ontario.ca/page/riding-e-bike#section-2 https://www.ontario.ca/page/riding-e-bike#section-2 Anything with power assist above 32kmph isn't an ebike in Ontario and would therefore need insurance, registration, license, etc. The issue is the lack of enforcement. It's crazy the number of stores and brands with illegally fast ebikes!

cmdli 3y ago

As someone who rides motorcycles, even low speed collisions can be dangerous. Anything above ~20mph means that you are going to hit the ground pretty hard and then skid, taking off skin. Regular bikes are mostly fine, but it quickly gets dangerous even to fall off in a single-person accident at higher speeds.

deleted 3y ago
[deleted]

monkeywork 3y ago

>We’re talking about low speed, low risk, low property damage. You realize that many of these are now being sold going 40-60mph ... that's not low speed, not low risk (many of them are built with wheels and brakes that are not safe for the speeds not to mention the cheap chinese batteries that catch on fire), nor low property damage when they hit things at top speed. > exercise alone would have a positive impact in the U.S. that could very well offset the costs. What exercise? The vast majority of these being sold aren't "pedal assisted" they are full electric sudo motorcycles.

sleepybrett 3y ago
In america, at least in washington state we are limited to 750w and 25mph. You can throttle or pedal assist and then the motor cuts out and it's just you and your legs. There are some electric scooters (think vespa, not razor) and such, but those need to be licensed like motorcycles.
acover 3y ago
Aren't those already not classified as ebikes and therefore treated as motorcycles? They need insurance, registration, etc but are being driven illegally just like people drive cars illegally.
- monkeywork 3y ago
  Not where I am - if you read my original comment I made that pretty clear. The term e-bike here covers everything from motor assisted traditional bikes to what is basically an electric dirt bike with the later generally being more popular than the former
  - acover 3y ago
    You're in Toronto! It seems like it's pretty similar to BC. > a maximum assisted speed of 32 km/h https://www.ontario.ca/page/riding-e-bike#section-2 https://www.ontario.ca/page/riding-e-bike#section-2 Anything with power assist above 32kmph isn't an ebike in Ontario and would therefore need insurance, registration, license, etc. The issue is the lack of enforcement. It's crazy the number of stores and brands with illegally fast ebikes!