Originally Posted by
gugie
If a bicycle has a motor on it, we should call it a motorcycle.
I'm going to (disrespectfully
) push back here. We really need new and better classifications for motor vehicles. It's not difficult, but given the explosion in micromobility, it isn't a simple yes/no either.
The key issues are motor type, speed and weight. Anything gas-powered is a motorcycle. In NYC, I believe e-bikes need to be speed-regulated to 25 mph or less. I don't believe there's an exact weight, but anything over say 70 lbs (like a Revel) should be classified a motorcycle.
You may not like weaklings or dilettantes, but proper e-bikes are cyclist's friends in that they 1) are a good form or transportation that 2) allows more people to cycle and 3) puts more bikes on the roads which 4) creates a justification for better cycling infrastructure.
I like to say that "knuckleheads" use all forms of transportation. If there's one person that's doing it wrong, it's on that person -- not their mode of transportation.
If you prefer pictures, this is an e-bike:
These are not:
