I see loads of food delivery men riding E-Bikes in New York City. In fact, they are just about the only people I see on a daily basis riding E-bikes. If they can do it, I'm sure you can too. Just don't go crazy.

Nobody ever complains on how wide these trikes are. I happen to think this is very cool and yet another alternative to travel...If this serves the riders purpose...excellent....one less car on the road is the mutual goal, especially for short commuters. Together we ride, divided we fall...

https://nycewheels.com/faq1.html


These guys don't seem to have a problem and they're operating in Manhattan.

I've seen an official electric hub-motored bike in Midtown ridden by one of those Business Improvement District types.

Also, I'd doubt if the most NYC traffic agents would be really aware of what an electric hub motor is unless they see you zipping along much faster than traffic flow without pedalling. They usually don't even bother trying to catch the bike messengers zooming around on fixed bikes...


.

Last November my friend and I went to NYC to visit the Museum of Natural History. Just walking from the subway station and across Central Park we saw 4 -5 e-bikes. My advice is to just go ahead and ride yours on the street and don't do anything stupid or to draw attention to your e-bike - you'll be fine.

This is complete nonsense. Many, including the Province of Ontario, are concerned that manufacturers are making a motor scooter, gluing on pedals and calling it an ebike. From the provincial website:

"The ministry has become aware of scooter-style vehicles that technically meet the pilot's e-bike definition, but not the intent, as they are not primarily operated by muscular power due to their heavy weight. Therefore, in addition to evaluating how safely the e-bike can integrate with other motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians, the emergence of the scooter-style e-bikes requires the ministry to also assess if the pilot's original intent continues to be appropriate. The ministry may clarify its position on the original intent of the pilot when final legislation is drafted."

In the future, you might want to do a little research before you make silly, inaccurate statments.

As other members said, there are lots of delivery people using e-bikes in NYC. There are also pedicabs that use them. One councilwoman who was in favor of prohibiting the use of pedicabs stated "If we can't abolish them, we should stop them from using motors". Here's an elected official who doesn't know the motors are illegal to begin with.
At any rate, the state legislature votes on the ebike bill every January (Since 2002 I believe) but it get stuck in the senate transportation committee. If and when it's finally passed, it will basically be the same as the federal law. I just found out one of the senators I know is on that committee, so I'm goiung to talk to him as soon as possible. IMHO, with the way things are politically, it will have to be passed soon.

LOL...Guess What? Legislation has been drafted and Bill 126 has already passed the third reading and Royal Ascent...which means they are legal. Where have you been. LOL
"The Ministry May Clarify..." which they did and they are still legal. Of course "gluing pedals on the side would be not so legal as they have to be "operable", along with other requirements. I have done 3 years worth of research, including being at Queens Park and other venues speaking on behalf of e-bikes. In fact I have been asked to be a Guest Speaker again this week, and a representative from Transport Canada will be there. Interestingly enough it is in regards to "educating the masses". Late in the second year of the pilot program, the Misnistry added that line to their website "the ministry has become aware of scooter-style". Wow, they just became aware? Did someone look out the window or something?...LOL...Considering they have been on the roads in BC 3 years before Ontario even knew what one was, does not say much for whoever wrote that article. When I phoned the Ministry 4 years ago to ask them when "power assisted bicycles" were going to be legalized in Ontario, the 6 people I talked to at the Ministry had no idea what a "power assisted bicycle" was. The Department of Transportation wrote the definition and the Minstry had their opportunity when passing bill 126 to effect changes, which they did. None however affected the status of e-bikes in Ontario...They are a little slow at changing their website..which will also be brought up at the next meeting. Its okay, I don't expect an apology...It's not your fault...they don't want you riding them...there is no revenue for them, no licence, no insurance, no gas, no registration...why would they want to promote such a motorized vehicle on their own website that requires no licence.

"The law was created, and then manufacturers worked within the parameters of those laws"

What was so silly about this line anyway, that I should be reamed out by a junior member?... That's what happened! LOL I changed my mind... I do want an apology...LOL

Dewdad,

The question was about circumventing the intent of the law by making a motorized scooter with pedals that meet the letter but not the intent of the law. I have never seen one person actually pedalling these scooters. The are supposed to be "power assisted", correct? Speaking of peddling, I see you see thses electric scooters. I guess that explains your "confusion" on the subject.

You certainly laugh out loud frequently.

LOL...Laughter is the Best Medicine...LOL
I also own the Toronto Hobby Show, and The Great Canadian Game Show as well as Dewdad Inc a 30 year Marketing Company..I do not hide behind a pseudonym like so many. The e-bike market represents about 5% of my income and it is more of a passion and a "hobby" than a business. The wording was changed several years ago from "primarily propelled" to "capable of". If the Ministry wanted to make the scooter style illegal, all they would have to do is change the wording back, which they had an opportunity to do with bill 126, and didn't. Mopeds also had pedals which no one used, the pedals allowed the police and others to quickly identify what it was. Oars are also the law on a motor boat, and I have never seen anyone row one yet. With over 10,000 scooter style sold in BC and over 4,000 here in Ontario I assure you I have no confusion on the subject. My lawyer described what they wrote as double talk and if you read it again, it does not pick a side, it says they may have to to see if the "original intent" is accurate...They are in a clerical position and are not necessarily aware of what is going on outside their position, except referring us back to the Federal Deifinition and adopting the minor changes in bill 126. As a representative said to me, they are not concerned whether people pedal or not, they are more interested in the fact that people do not modify their bikes to go faster than the 32 km per hour or use motors greater than 500 watts..Nobody pedaled a moped, nor were they required by law to have to...the scooter style are legally allowed to operate by motor alone, and if you did your homework you will see that this is true. The pedals do come in handy for heavier people going up steep hills, so they are in fact operable and functional. Being a svelt 150 pounds I don't have this problem. LOL. The intent of the law was to deter people from using their automobiles for short commutes, and these vehicles do just that...why does it bother you or anyone, if someone chooses to ride to the store with an electric vehicle that goes slow, that gives off no emissions, than a 2000 pound car that spews toxins and rips up roadways. KonaBuyer, these existed everywhere in the world years and years before us. All of a sudden you are on the side of what? Ontario was the last province to allow them...Why? We should be the leaders of sustainable transportation alternatives for short commuters, not the laggards...I am pro bicycles and do not sell them. I am pro e-bikes of all kinds. I am pro walking.
I drive when I have to, but it is nice to have alternatives. Can I suggest for you as well to lighten up and laugh a little more often, and quit being so judgemental on whether people are pedaling or not...Surely there are more important issues like more bike paths, wider bike paths, safer bike paths....one less car on the road should be everyones goal, especially for short commutes.

By the way...I think this trike you are designing is very cool...if the bin was full it would certainly not be easy to pedal. Are you planning a motor and battery? I love bikes of all kinds and welcome anything new...I think the government has their hands in our pocket enough without worrying about a low speed bike. If I have space at my Hobby Show I would love to feature some homemade trikes and bikes...they are a great hobby...I would rather see this trike going up and down my streets, instead of a clubwagon...

Cool - I apologize. Something about your tone set me off. My bad.

John

John

No problem...It is human nature to listen to someone with such conviction and want to jump in to defend the other side, because there always is two sides.

Hello everyone!

I bought a Veloteq ebike about a year ago and things have been pretty good so far, but I want to get a better battery that will last me a bit longer and also give me a bit more range. That's when I discovered the wonderful world of Lifepo4! Apparently these types of batteries are very good in terms of holding their original charge capacity and don't die as easily as SLA batteries (no to mention that they hold up better in colder weather!)

Anyways I've been doing some research on which company to go with and what to do, so I thought I'd run it by the good people here at BikeForums!

I spoke to another friend who already owns an ebike and he says that Ping Battery is one of the more reputable dealer/manufacturer for OEM lifepo4 batteries that come in the 48v / 20ah flavours. He also mentioned that ping has a great rep for service and warranty repairs. So I'm about drop about $700CAD to get one of these batteries and a 2a charger from him and try to get things setup. Here is how I plan on going about doing things:

Here is the battery I plan on buying: ping battery


1.) I've started off by measuring my battery compartment and it looks like a standard 48v / 20ah ping battery will need some modifications, but I've fowarded him my measured specs. I'll share them here for any other Veloteq owners who want to upgrade from SLA to lifepo4 in the future:
*Note: The battery setup for some bikes might be different, so be sure to check your battery specs, I've got 4 x 12v 20ah batteries in my battery case.

Original Battery Dimensions
Width: 17.5c m + 7 cm (the +7cm is for the 4th battery, which takes up 7cm x 17.5cm)
Length: 22.5 cm
Height: 16.5 cm

Ping Battery Dimensions:
Width: 19.6 cm
Length: 21.3 cm
Height: 15 cm

I'll include a diagram to show how my current setup is like.


2.) Once I get my new ping battery, I'll have to make some adjustments to my current battery case as the current wiring is setup for the battery to be charged from the same port it discharges/draws power from. I believe the BMS controller is in the battery charger I have (I could be wrong). So I'll need to:
a.) Wiring up the discharge (+) and (-) wires up to the current female plug I have in the battery compartment then,
b.) Setup a new port for the charging of the battery. (There should be two other wires for charging that go to the BMS) Is this correct?


I'll add some addition info and pics once I get my battery setup and how I plan on making it all work so that my battery setup doesn't change too much. Thanks for any help provided and I'd be more than glad to share my info / help with anyone who needs it!


Cheers
M

Any particular reason why my battery thread was moved into here?

That should be a nice setup. I wonder how much weight savings you will get. . . wait that's almost the same size--so you are upping the voltage/ahs then too?

My current SLA battery setup is fairly heavy, about 63 pounds. I'd be shaving off a good 40 pounds with the new lifepo4 battery. I think that'll go a ways in terms of giving me more range and better speeds (maybe I'll actually get upto 30kmh lol.)

Because your thread is about an electric scooter, therefore it was merged into the scooter style sticky.
All other threads about electric scooters will also be merged into this thread.

You have one drink, they don't call you an alcoholic, but boy, ride one "scooter style" e-bike... and the name sticks...LOL

They are not "scooters" they are "power assited bicycles"

It's very hard to keep track of good info when it's all merged into one giant thread.

I agree with Golectric...just like pedal bicycles, there are too many directions these conversations could take.

To help keep track, for now, use the quote reply function. So far, it's only 88 posts, so this isn't a huge thread. If you develop your community, though, I can promise you that I'll review the idea of a subforum for you guys and gals inside eBikes. That's how the Clydesdale and Athena forum came into being, by the way, as it was originally a sticky in Road Cycling. It developed enough life and community that it became self sustaining.

That sounds fair enough.

Thanks Tom

Very cool gonna check that out!

I really don't think you will get caught. Just try to be stealth about it, buy some big panniers and put them on the back, paint your hub white or silver, etc.