Originally Posted by
Duragrouch
They need to classify things by power, not whether it has pedals.
In my state:
Used to be 10 hp, which is why there were many outboards rated at 9.9 hp.
Do the same in spirit for e-bikes, with accordant power limits. And that should be based on ability for typical riders to climb hills in this town on electric. And that will favor mid-drive, to enable use of the bike gearing, without the bike being overpowered and too fast on the flats, and also e-speed should be governed for a max speed.
Except not the power situation is only a small part of it. It should be about pedals if we are talking bikes. Nobody needs a throttled vehicle on any shared trails nor should they be allowed.
Obviously yes a bike that is above a class 3 is also not needed but generally illegally modified vehicles are sort of banned anyway but really enforcing no throttles will make a big difference. It won't solve all the safety issues but some of those safety issues are not related to the "power" a bike or moped or motorcycle can put out because some of the offenders are not using electric vehicles but a standard road or tri bike so it really ends up being the person atop the bicycle or whatever not the actual vehicle.
I think the max speed and stuff is important though but again illegally modified stuff is generally not allowed most places but never gets enforced or is sometimes selectively enforced in certain communities which doesn't actually solve the problems.