Lawrence

5 years ago I would have agreed with you, until my involvement with them, which is now seasonal, but heavy.

Alternatives were desperately needed for short commutes of 20 km and less. The cycling market which represents only 2% of commuters is a start and these in time will add another 2%.
There are people who would never turn their car in for a bicycle but will for a scooter style e-bike. BC was first to adopt these without a pilot and without any major resistance albeit from certain cyclists, who seem to be the most threatened, when they shouldn't be.
With over 10,000 e-bikes in 6 years there was alot of information collected by the ministry, and by police as well as other unions. In 2 and half short years in Ontario, I am willing to bet there are several thousand on the roads. If there was a hint of a problem, bill 126 would have corrected the wording to exclude these. I have said before in other posts, if the bicycle just came onto the roads in todays market it would be scrutinized by public opinion as well and quite possibly be licenced and insured. Helmets would be mandatory and stricter laws. Commons sense is needed on all vehicles and there will always be jokers on the road.
I love my scooter style e-bike and ride it as much as I can 8 months of the year in place of my Ford Clubwagon which is needed somedays for work. What a fun vehicle to ride and it gets me from point A to B. Bicycles are great too, don't get me wrong, but this is another alternative to a car that attracts another crowd.
More choices for motorists will give a larger voice for more paths, cleaner paths and necessary education towards sharing the road. As a pedestrian I do not feel threatened by them. Trucks, cars and buses, well that is a different story.
They are new to the world and they are necessary stepping stone for what is to come. As battery technology improves so does our range, another increase in demand. As cycling infrastructure goes through its evolutionary changes, perhaps one day we will have our own lane, cars will have theirs, bicycles theirs. Until then, why stop progression for the sake of tradition.
The Horse and Buggy mentality couldn't stop the motorized car, even if it was scaring the horses.