Handlebar to handlebar they are the same size as a bicycle, the fairings do not exceed the handle bars so they only seem wider but are not. What about cyclists with saddlebags? That issue was addressed 6 years ago in British Columbia and never again because it was rediculous. Believe me if the Department of Transportation, and the Insurance Companies do not feel a need to step in, it is because they did their homework first. Bill 126 passed including scooter style in the power assisted bicycle mix.
A human being exerts 480 watts of energy to propell their bicycle 30 km per hour. That is why they limit the motor to 500 watts. The 32 km per hour is deemed to be a safe cycling speed after years and years of case studies from other countries and BC. There are over 10,000 e-bikes in BC for the last 6 years, safely riding on the roads and bike lanes....Your concerns were the same as mine, so believe me, I understand your concerns...rest assured 3 years later with lots of reading and statistics proved otherwise.....as far as mixed feelings from cyclists...."methinks they protest too much"