Originally Posted by
jethin
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 more impetus 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.
The earliest motorcycles were a bicycle with a motor added on, ergo my quip.
25 mph on the MUP behind my house is way too fast, too many elderly people, baby strollers, and people walking dogs on it for that to make any sense whatsoever. Of course, Racer Rick can hit those speeds as well. Most people on e-bikes can easily hit those speeds.
I'm not against e-bikes for the reasons you mentioned, but it's kinda like the wild west out there right now.