Originally Posted by
noglider
I wonder if it was really the brakes. I got on a Cit-E-Bike and started pedaling and before I had my balance, I almost ran into the curb. It's because the bike surged forward faster than I expected it. But I managed to bring it under control before hitting anything. With a little less skill, the result may have been different. I think the low end acceleration should be tuned down.
According to the Daily News article, it is the front motor locking up. I didn't know there were motors in the front of the wheel. I didn't think there was a motor up front. It would be crazy to make a AWD bicycle. Unless they meant front brakes, which on drum brakes would default to a unlocked position. Even with disc brakes, which would be the most powerful type, a front lockup is possible, but then that is just a desired capability that one has to know how to modulate.