I think you mean SPEED pedalecs.

FYI, they are all pedalecs (in that region) but generally 20-28mph is a speed pedalec and has specific license requirements and usability restrictions. Above that it is basically a moped.

Alan sure has you guys riled up. His arguments can be used for one guy doing 20mph on a trail, or a pack of a dozen lycra racers doing 30mph on a MUP (been there, done that, don't ride with that type of group more than once). I've ridden with the 25-30mph paceline crowd, and I've never seen or heard an e-bike doing things as stupid some of them do.

People hate road bikers who do stupid things in traffic
People hate mountain bikers who do stupid things on/off trails
People hate e-bikers, cause its something new to hate... ;-)

It is all a matter of respect.

"It was reported on March 25, 2016, that fast electric bikes, that is, ones capable of going up to 45 kph, (about 28 mph) will be treated as mopeds in the Netherlands as of 2017, to conform to European Union regulations on the devices"

Yes, thank you, it makes an important difference.

Yeah, it's the same tiresome intolerance we've been subject to from motorists for years, except now its being pedaled by few cyclists.

Are ebikes allowed on the DC mups? Or don't like being passed? My ego is not that fragile. The few that I see on the Boston mups are not going that much faster, if at all, than everybody else. My am stretch out of Arlington sees lots of kids, bikes, peds and dog walkers. Lots of traffic, every one seems to stay right and get along fine. Ya know, share and care :)

I'm not sure why people are upset with a bike that has a motor? While on my ebike I've been passed by bikes without a motor, it doesn't bother me. I am actually capable of going faster on my road bike than my ebike (motor cut off at 20 mph.) I don't see a motor as being any more of an "advantage" than gears are over a single speed.

So if It's a guy on a road bike at 35 mph, it's fine... you're just against the motor? Silly.

If they are banned, fine... people should not use the MUP with an ebike. However, if they are allowed they should be treated like any other bicycle that has been modified beyond a single speed to allow the rider to go faster with more efficiency.

On my 70 lb e-cargo bike, the first 2 assist levels do little more make up for the extra weight of the bike and cargo, the other 3 assist levels allow me to keep up with the slower roadies under most conditions. E assist has simply taken me from being a slow rider to an average one. I'm still no competition to the angry BF Luddites, or those seeking validation through athletic prowess.

You just got's to ignore it... alan s & others of his ilk did the same thing to a thread I started in the touring forum... E-Bike touring is not bicycle touring, get a motorbike, you cheated, Your E-Bike tour belongs in the E-Bike forum :rolleyes:

+1

Do not feed trolls.

Are we talking e-bikes or e-assist bikes? They are two different animals with different laws. I'm not sure, but it looks like in Minnesota if it is not an e-assist it is considered a motorized bicycle and you're supposed to have a license. But an e-assist is considered a bicycle.

Some people don't care, if it's an E-Assist or an E-Bike... They both have motors, and thus are NOT bicycles... In their opinion , :rolleyes: Thus the "problem"... They don't seem to understand that assistance is assistance, and a moped that you don't actually need to pedal IS different, It's main power is the motor, BUT, in reality... E-Assist works different. Whether it's a motor that assists/meaning you have to pedal or you get nowhere, and you get some extra torque added to your effort from the motor, or a 3 speed or a 27 speed... It's still "assistance" Unless you are riding a bicycle with a 1; to 1; ratio, pedaling effort, you "are" being "assisted" to get up that hill, the only "real" difference, is whether it's a mechanical type of assistance, or a motor type of assistance... :innocent:


BOTH types "are" assisting you to get up that hill... It's the way things work. ;) and OK, technically, mechanical assistance IS different than motor assistance, but they both have the same "effect" they get you up the hill easier, than without... :innocent:

I was adding you're name so that you would know exactly who it was addressed to. I don't want to get into a pissing match. You just seem to have a certain attitude toward people that ride ebikes... even if they do it legally, safely, and considerately. My point is that a jerk is a jerk, no matter what he/she is riding.

Still one of my favorite bikes in all the forums:

http://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...ter-build.html

Depends on who's post you're reading, the e-bike that is the subject of my OP before it got derailed is in fact a legal class 2 e-assist bike. The whole point being I was pleasantly surprised they still allow one to get quality exercise rather than being entirely passive like a motorcycle or scooter.
Unfortunately some feel compelled to punish safe, respectful, legal e-cyclists for the misdeeds of a few to protect their delicate sensibilities.

You would think more people would be accepting of e-assist bikes. I mean, they are even (allegedly) being used in the pro peloton! If the pros are doing it, it's good for all of us, right?
Anyway, I don't see how your commute in Washington State hurts others commutes a continent away. People should just do their thing and not worry about what other people are doing

A guy on an e-bike has been passing me safely for years on the biggest hill of my commute without the slightest hint of an issue as the speed differential is about 4 mph. The bike lanes, MUT, and sidewalk I use on my commute get me through areas where riding on the road isn't wise for any type of bike.
Would it really make you happy to force safe, respectful, legal cyclists like myself to ride in dangerous conditions, in pain, or give up bike commuting entirely?

How heavy is that, with the battery and all? Unless you roll it into your garage, seems like it would be too heavy to carry

I wouldn't say the everyone seems to stay to the right on the Minuteman... plenty of bad apples - but they don't come predominantly from the e-bike camp. Biggest offenders, IMHO, are roadies trying to get their workout on the MUP, doing 20mph+. I've done that myself a couple times and always felt like an ass***e even when it wasn't crowded.

70 lbs. We do have a garage but I carry it up 5 steps to park it in the kitchen. All my bikes are heavy, I'm a big guy, and I handle freight all day, it's a non issue for me.

Cheat the system? Yikes. How about one less car and moving in a very green and efficient way? MUPs are for the most part, a Multi Use Path that includes bikes. Most states consider a PAS, 20 mph max, e bike to be a " bike" regardless of your opinion on how the world should be. Have you looked up the rules concerning bikes and e bikes where you ride on your mup? Facts and all, ya know. If I only did 12? I would hang my head. I'm more like 14-16 mph, obviously slowing for peds, kids and I- pod zombies. Do you not see e bikes as a great resource to try to get solitary drivers out of cars? In the next gen or 2 , you won't even know they are an ebike by looking at them. Cheat? How? Same as the stoker on a tandem coasting? Kids on a tag along looking at the scenery? Dogs in trailers? What about those new bikes with motors for shifting with no wires? Maybe you should start a poll to see how many other commuters agree with you? Or just come in the now tech decade and enjoy the ride, and lets others ride how they like. E bikes are here to stay, get used to it.

Familiar at how a pedal electric e assist bike works? Again, maybe some fact checking. The bike only assists the person. No pedaling and the bike does not move. No throttle with the PAS , class one. Several levels of assist, cuts out at 20 mph, max. One does not pedal a car, unless your first name is Fred. And I love bike lanes on the roads, great stuff. Separated bike lanes seem to have some momentum as well. Here in MA, all the new road planning needs to accommodate bikes and peds into the street designs to receive full Federal funding. Awesome. Expense? Did you pay for the MUP? Or did all the taxpayers with state and federal monies as well. Hmmm. Seem to be grasping at straws here. Maybe you should test ride some instead of declaring them the devil. I test rode one at an ADA accessibility event. Quite impressive. Maybe not for all. But for some a good solution. Like in the case of the OP here. Or those with a long way to go, or not quite in peak conditioning. Or some just starting out and attempting to go car light. How long do you think gasoline supplies will last? And plenty of folk might have some physical disability. And lets them get some fresh air with a workout. What a concept.

Feed the troll and the troll gathers energy. :)

Very interesting report! I'd like to add an e-assist cargo bike at some point myself. I don't need one for commuting, but with a capable enough bike I could dramatically reduce the need to use a car for some things and that's a big enough win in my books.

My big problem at present is storage. I really don't have anywhere practical to keep a large, heavy bike.

I never thought of a public domain MUP as a sanctuary. Interesting. Precious 8-10' wide pavement? Hmmmm. I commuted about 2,100 bike miles this last year. More on day trips, mt biking and touring. Sad? Folks who are so narrow minded about the bright future of transportation. That doesn't involve a gas engine. Wait till the regen able motors for bikes get here, just pedaling will charge them up. Whooot. I guess you never pedal on the road? The Fred reference was to Fred Flintstone. Ya know, a pedal car. Use any dyno hubs on your tours? Same thing, no? I don't text and drive or text and pedal, only air guitar. Van Halen, really loud singing off key, every one gets outta my way. Really.

I think the e cargo bikes are great for the shopping, groceries and bulk kind of stuff, kids as well. So no garage? Storage shed? Rent one when needed? Do a bike share with a small group of friends? All kinds of solutions these days.