Electric Bikes - EBike speed limit = pro road bikers speed limit?

Hello, I'm thinking that I don't understand very well the point in the ebike speed limit of 25 or 30 km/h. Because if a pro road biker can go, let's say, at 50 km/h in flat, isn't it the same danger for the traffic and the public than if an ebike can go at that speed? But the road biker can go freely, if he could go quicker, it would be also legal. So let's increment the limit age, let's say, the same 18 years that it's required for a car, and let's set the speed limit for an ebike the same speed that it's possible to obtain in the flat for a pro. I think it doesn't have to be necessarily an increment in danger, but it would be a large increment in popularity. Sorry if it's nonsense, bye.

I agree. The limit should be the same for both.

No, of course it shouldn't be the same for both. The few people who can go that fast on their bicycle have spent a lot of time in the saddle in all sorts of conditions. Now some fat, no brainer can get on a motorized vehicle and go 40mph and you think they are equal? If you want to go that fast, get a license like everyone else. It's no big deal.

Now some fat, no brainer can get on a motorized vehicle and go 40mph and you think they are equal? If you want to go that fast, get a license like everyone else. It's no big deal.

But now that I have the license I can suddenly handle going 40?

That license has some powerful ju-ju.

To get the license you'd have to at least pass the motorcycle test, right? That's no guarantee they can handle going 40, but it's better than sending them out on the road with no test at all.

A roadie must obey the speed limit just like everyone else.
You CAN get a ticket on a bicycle for exceeding the speed limit.

You CAN get a ticket on a bicycle for exceeding the speed limit.

I've tried for years.
No luck so far.
It would be framed with pride.

I've tried for years.
No luck so far.
It would be framed with pride.


ditto. There is a nice long straight downhill near my house. The posted limit is 25. Gravity alone will get you over 30. A little effort will get you over 40.

It is a ticket I would take with a smile.

As for the "how fast can a fast roadie go arguement" it really has nothing to do with it. I think it is more a case of the safety ninnies wanting to discourage folks from strapping 800 watt motors onto really crappy bikes.

Personally, I hate safety ninnies. We should be free to bomb down the road on 2000 watt death cycles with unfiltered cigarettes hanging out of unhelmeted heads. All this nanny state crap has allowed the gene pool to get pretty dirty. It's also taken a lot of fun out of life.

In Calgary, many commuters end up on the recreational bike trails. the bike trails have a speed limit of 20kmh

so for the most part, if theres a double standard between road bikes and ebikes, it doesn't really matter. ie we are all having to slow down to be considered safe and legal.

I might benefit from a faster ebike if I was to share the lane with cars more often. But, frankly,I don[t think that a little bit faster will make me any safer or more comvenient. And if it was important for me to go a lot faster on the roads, I would probably go back to riding a motorcycle.

I've tried for years.
No luck so far.
It would be framed with pride.

I tripped the speed sensor on one of those speed camera's the other day on a pretty steep grade. Of course, no license plate = no ticket, and I'm half tempted to hang my trucks plate from my saddle, then frame the picture. :lol:

I dont get tickets in my wife's van anymore. ie my bike covers the license plate.

No, of course it shouldn't be the same for both. The few people who can go that fast on their bicycle have spent a lot of time in the saddle in all sorts of conditions. Now some fat, no brainer can get on a motorized vehicle and go 40mph and you think they are equal? If you want to go that fast, get a license like everyone else. It's no big deal.



No electric assist bike I know of can do 40 mph without the rider doing it, or gravity on a downhill.

The use of the pejorative name, "fat" seems to indicate that you are predjudiced and hateful. One should always dismiss the thoughtless opinions of such people.

I am not fat, I use an electric assist bike for commuting. You obviously don't understand how an e-bike functions, so again, one should view your opinion as merely an uninformed, insult to those that understand the purpose of such a vehicle.

I've had my Sun EZ-Sport up to 42 mph, on a downhill pedaling like heck with a phone book on the throttle. I just wanted to see what was possible. It did not feel safe. I keep it at 30 mph max these days which is plenty fast for me.

Was the phone book opened to "Ambulance Services" ?

As hobbyists continue to build and/or mod their ebikes to go motorcycle speeds without the safety equipment of motorcycles (powerful brakes, adequate lighting, horn, etc.) there inevitably will be some accidents (let's hope not fatal ones). I expect there to be negative blow back. Public opinion may just turn against allowing any motorized bicycles on public roads. If that happens, we in the electric bicycle community will only have ourselves to blame. As we have increased speeds available, suddenly our ability to take evasive actions diminishes. We often don't install powerful brakes to handle the new demands made of the bike; most don't put on turn signals or brake lights. Many also don't wear appropriate safety clothing like motorcyclists (notice how many of them wear full leathers and helmet during hot summer days).

We throw motorists a curve, too. They're not used to a bicycle traveling fast and may go ahead and turn in front of you thinking that you're moving slowly enough that you won't reach the intersection before they've completed their turn. Yes, I would agree that is careless, but let's face it, motorists, being human, act on perceptions, right or wrong.

I hope I'm wrong, but I'm afraid we may see more states take up New York's complete ban on motorized bicycles. We need to be responsible operators--it's our actions that generate the good or bad publicity that drives public opinion. If the majority of the general public begin to call for the ban of motorized bicycles on public roads, we've done a very poor job.

Was the phone book opened to "Ambulance Services" ?

:roflmao2: Hahahahahahaaa :roflmao2:

Any roadie going 40 mph on those 1" thin, light weight tires pumped up to 120 psi needs more than a ambulance phone number, they need an ambulance chaser right behind them to pick up the pieces when their bike falls apart.
.

I tripped the speed sensor on one of those speed camera's the other day on a pretty steep grade. Of course, no license plate = no ticket,

I bet the folks in the office where they process those tickets thought it was pretty funny that here they had a speeding bicycle mixed in with the automobiles.

Off topic:I was once offered a chance to do office work for one of those photo/radar places. :)

I am content with 32 kmh or less

Most roadies can easily cruise over 20mph on the flats. While 20 mph may be a nice round number, it's a little too slow for an e-bike assist limit to be truly practical for many people. I'd vote for 22mph.

My story: I am going down this narrow road (Shaw Street, Toronto (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=&daddr=Shaw+St&geocode=FXQFmgId-i5E-w&hl=en&mra=ls&dirflg=w&sll=43.643576,-79.412634&sspn=0.013696,0.02281&ie=UTF8&z=17)), which has a posted speed limit of 40 kmh. A car right behind me is honking while I am doing 45kmh.

(It's a one lane street going passed a school and homes.)

No electric assist bike I know of can do 40 mph without the rider doing it, or gravity on a downhill.

The use of the pejorative name, "fat" seems to indicate that you are predjudiced and hateful. One should always dismiss the thoughtless opinions of such people.

I am not fat, I use an electric assist bike for commuting. You obviously don't understand how an e-bike functions, so again, one should view your opinion as merely an uninformed, insult to those that understand the purpose of such a vehicle.

In fact, I own a number of ebikes and I have helped a number of people get on a bike again with electric assist. I did not say all ebikers are fat or no-brainers. I said that anyone (and I gave a visual example) can push a throttle without understanding bikes or ebikes. Certainly, you have seen young males gunning and racing their cars and endangering others so it isn't a new problem. I do know the purpose of unlicensed ebikes but it isn't to go as fast as you want.
I don't care for the nanny state either but when anyone gets out and uses public space and endangers others (not just themselves, they can choose that), then I am for laws restricting them. So if someone wants to ride helmetless, seatbeltless, smoke (where I don't have to smell it), drive or ride recklessly on their own private land, I say go ahead and enjoy. Just don't risk my life while you are doing it because I haven't made that choice and I don't think you should make it for me.

In fact, I own a number of ebikes and I have helped a number of people get on a bike again with electric assist. I did not say all ebikers are fat or no-brainers. I said that anyone (and I gave a visual example) can push a throttle without understanding bikes or ebikes. Certainly, you have seen young males gunning and racing their cars and endangering others so it isn't a new problem. I do know the purpose of unlicensed ebikes but it isn't to go as fast as you want.
I don't care for the nanny state either but when anyone gets out and uses public space and endangers others (not just themselves, they can choose that), then I am for laws restricting them. So if someone wants to ride helmetless, seatbeltless, smoke (where I don't have to smell it), drive or ride recklessly on their own private land, I say go ahead and enjoy. Just don't risk my life while you are doing it because I haven't made that choice and I don't think you should make it for me.

I understand your concern that some nimrod might steamroll you on his homemade edeathcycle. Trouble is, they already hand out licenses to such mouth breathers who are now free to mow you down in something wayyyyyy more lethal, cars.

I think the safety benefits of being able to maintain the actual speed limit on most streets far outweighs the chance you might be run down by someone on a super ebike.

I understand your concern that some nimrod might steamroll you on his homemade edeathcycle. Trouble is, they already hand out licenses to such mouth breathers who are now free to mow you down in something wayyyyyy more lethal, cars.

I think the safety benefits of being able to maintain the actual speed limit on most streets far outweighs the chance you might be run down by someone on a super ebike.

I agree that I would rather the nimrod be on an electric bike but I would prefer to get them off the public street altogether but that won't happen. My original point is, Johnny Law will require a license, blinkers, and brake lights over a certain speed. I suspect with all these fast ebikes, they will eventually all be regulated as mopeds.

My thought on the matter may sound strange - ebikes are fine, as designed.

If you want to mingle with motorized traffic, at motorized traffic speeds, it should have license plates, full insurance, full compliment of regular motorized safety equipment, and require a drivers license.

We already do mingle with motorized traffic. Trouble is, we can not keep pace with them. This is dangerous for all involved.

Ebikes are a great idea and should be promoted as much as possible. Continued over regulation will result in more people staying in their cages which is a bad thing.

my ebike performs about the same as a 2 person tandem bike.

my acceleration, speed, and ability to spin my tires are roughly the same as any other bicycle, regardless of my throttle position or willingness to pedal hard.

I get so worked up every time i hear or see a comment that suggests that i deserve to be treated like a motorscooter.

please, could the hostile crowd please acknowledge my point of view more often? it would help prevent this topic from getting polarized.