Commuter Mind Games
#26
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,201
Likes: 289
From: Vancouver, BC
If you wanna call this a bicycle and don't mind sharing bicycle-paths and bicycle-trails with them fine. Personally I find ALL motorized-bicycles as unfit for these very limited resources that were always intended for human-powered-vehicles only.

--- US Legal -- eAssist Bicycle

--- US Legal -- eAssist Bicycle
#27
Half way there

Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,967
Likes: 895
From: North Carolina
Bikes: Many, and the list changes frequently
Re: the legality argument - Does it really matter that the speed is the result of non-human power as long as the rider is prudent about safety around others. E-assist has a real place in our world as it enables many with physical restrictions to participate. We have many ELFs around here and so there are many negative views about whether they should be allowed on MUPs or even bike lanes. I say "why not" when they are operated in a way that does not create a hazard. When you leave it to the authorities to police what offends you, you will learn quickly about how you offend others.
Last edited by Moe Zhoost; 09-10-16 at 07:28 AM.
#28
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 55
From: Chapin, SC
Bikes: all steel stable: surly world troller, paris sport fixed, fuji ss
A few weeks ago I saw two teenage boys on matching eAssist motorbikes on the MUP. They looked similar to this:
Last edited by BigAura; 09-10-16 at 08:50 AM.
#29
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,201
Likes: 289
From: Vancouver, BC
Still don't understand the dislike for motors. Do they frighten you? Does it hurt your ego when someone passes you?
The reason e-bikes are classed the same as bicycles is primarily for safety. They have small motors which aren't capable of putting out more power than a regular cyclist. Overall weight of an e-bike and rider is in line with bicycles and they aren't capable of more than 20mph without additional power from pedaling. If you get a moped or scooter that's capable of higher speeds without pedaling they are treated differently in most jurisdictions.
#30
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 55
From: Chapin, SC
Bikes: all steel stable: surly world troller, paris sport fixed, fuji ss
Fair enough I suppose, that's where most of them are ridden, on roads with the rest of bikes.
Still don't understand the dislike for motors. Do they frighten you? Does it hurt your ego when someone passes you?
The reason e-bikes are classed the same as bicycles is primarily for safety. They have small motors which aren't capable of putting out more power than a regular cyclist. Overall weight of an e-bike and rider is in line with bicycles and they aren't capable of more than 20mph without additional power from pedaling. If you get a moped or scooter that's capable of higher speeds without pedaling they are treated differently in most jurisdictions.
Still don't understand the dislike for motors. Do they frighten you? Does it hurt your ego when someone passes you?
The reason e-bikes are classed the same as bicycles is primarily for safety. They have small motors which aren't capable of putting out more power than a regular cyclist. Overall weight of an e-bike and rider is in line with bicycles and they aren't capable of more than 20mph without additional power from pedaling. If you get a moped or scooter that's capable of higher speeds without pedaling they are treated differently in most jurisdictions.
I've seen what ATV's have done to the backcountry that was once the domaine of foot-powered-humans. I see the incursion of motorbikes on rail-trails as a similar blasphemy. The earth is covered with roads designed for motorized vehicles, eBikes need to stay there and accept the fact that they are motor-powered-bikes not human-powered-bicycles.
Last edited by BigAura; 09-10-16 at 11:55 AM.
#31
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,201
Likes: 289
From: Vancouver, BC
I've seen what ATV's have done to the backcountry that was once the domaine of foot-powered-humans. I see the incursion of motorbikes on rail-trails as a similar blasphemy. The earth is covered with roads designed for motorized vehicles, eBikes need to stay there and accept the fact that they are motor-powered-bikes not human-powered-bicycles.
A 600+lb ATV with 50hp is understandably going to do more damage than a 50lb bike that has roughly double the power of a human.
#32
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 55
From: Chapin, SC
Bikes: all steel stable: surly world troller, paris sport fixed, fuji ss
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