Yeah, unfortunately a lot of bikes and products come really poorly setup. I've found there are people who ride one of my bikes and are actually surprised that the drivetrain is *quiet* and everything works.

I suppose that comes down to a question which could really be only answered on a per-case basis by professional analysts and physicists (fairings vs. weight during impact). You may be partially right in some cases, if someone is for instance hit in the face with someone's bullhorn on the handlebar as opposed to a plastic fairing.

I'm not opposed to the idea of scooter bikes, so much as the iterations *of* scooters bikes i've seen. I think they should be operable as a bicycle, and built with a better level of quality control. Some of these 170lb systems with poor Q rates and drivetrain designs are simply not acceptable as bicycles.

No, I don't think they should be on bike paths, but neither should anyone riding over a speed in which you can no longer safely interact with the *whole* speed range, and movement patterns of every rider involved. That counts for iPod idiots, speedsters, e-bikers in general, name it.

On the other hand, some of these products that people say are pretty good, hey, if thats what they want, go for it.