Originally Posted by BBassett (Post 19585160)

...A bicycle with a 750w electric motor that can't exceed 28 mph., on motor power only, is classified a bicycle, not a motor vehicle, not a power assisted vehicle, but a bicycle. That means anywhere a bike is allowed to ride, so am I.
...

Originally Posted by Tourist in MSN (Post 19585555)

Check your state and local laws. Every state has different laws. Some communities that maintain their own bike paths have ordinances that may vary from ordinances in other communities.

I am not 100 percent certain on this but I think in my neck of the woods you would only be legal if you are not using any power if you are on a bike path. But I have had lots of people coast uphill past me when I was slowly pedaling uphill on a bike path that was posted no motorized vehicles allowed, and an electric motor is a motor. Coasting uphill, they were clearly using electric power only, thus illegal.

Originally Posted by Doug64 (Post 19585345)

I still don't get it. If e-assist is the same as a 27 speed, why not just get a 27 speed bike; it is cheaper:)

IIRC from physics 201 that it takes X amount of work to get an object up an incline. If it takes X amount of watts, it really does not matter if you are on a single speed or have 27 gears, the amount of work is the same. How that work is accomplished is what varies between a geared bike and a SS. The geared bike requires many more revolutions for a given distance than a SS, and is usually slower; meaning that less work is applied for a longer period of time to cover the same distance.

I believe it would be analogous to moving 2 piles of flour, each pile containing 200 pounds of flour. One pile of flour is packaged in 20 lb. bags(27 gears) and the other is packaged in 50 pound bags (SS). One pile could be loaded into the truck with 10 trips; the other pile could be loaded using only 4 trips. The amount of work is the same.

In your example of the 30 km assist on a 100 km trip tells me that the e-assist reduced the amount of work by 30%. This is what I don't get about your statement.

I still don't care what folks ride. I have a friend who rides an e-bike, and I am happy to see him out there with a big smile on his face.

Originally Posted by Doug64 (Post 19585656)

In many European countries, e-bikes, mopeds and small motorcycles share the bike paths with pedal powered cyclists. During our travels we have never had an issue with this arrangement.

If e-bikes get more people into biking, regardless of what you call it, it will be better for everyone. If there is more demand for better bike lanes, paths and laws, the more people riding "bikes" the more likely things will happen. I'm more than willing to share the road, path, or trail with any responsible rider.



However, I did have to swallow hard while reading a post the other day, when an old guy was bragging about how he blew by a bunch of teenagers riding up a hill while he was on his e-bike.

Originally Posted by Doug64 (Post 19585656)

However, I did have to swallow hard while reading a post the other day, when an old guy was bragging about how he blew by a bunch of teenagers riding up a hill while he was on his e-bike.

Originally Posted by 350htrr (Post 19583187)

You are looking to do another "epic tour" are you not.? I suggest you do your own last tour over again with a single speed. and come back and tell us how you appreciate the "assistance" of the mechanical gear type of assistance... ;)