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E-bike riders aren’t wearing helmets — and head trauma cases are through the roof
(www.tomsguide.com)
this post was submitted on 04 Mar 2024
188 points (93.1% liked)
micromobility - Ebikes, scooters, longboards: Whatever floats your goat, this is micromobility
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Ebikes, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, longboards, eboards, motorcycles, skates, unicycles: Whatever floats your goat, this is all things micromobility!
"Transportation using lightweight vehicles such as bicycles or scooters, especially electric ones that may be borrowed as part of a self-service rental program in which people rent vehicles for short-term use within a town or city.
micromobility is seen as a potential solution to moving people more efficiently around cities"
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An e-bike is a motorcycle in everything but name and highway-worthiness. It's honestly a little bonkers how long it took for this conversation to come up. I do think there's a bit of an odd feeling strapping on a motorbike helmet when you're getting on what you think of as a bicycle, and it probably doesn't help that motorcycle helmets are bulky and a PITA to carry around if you're using your e-bike as a commuter. Those are all addressable solutions, though.
Probably the fastest/cheapest way to affect a change would be to set a top speed for eBikes operating in public areas as bicycles. Speed kills, and keeping people from doing practically 30 mph in the bike lane would probably be a good place to start. I'm not talking about handing out tickets as much as having manufacturers govern their top speeds down. After that, public health campaigns.
There are different classes of ebikes:
—Class I is pedal-assisted only, up to 20mph. No throttle. In no way is this a motorcycle.
—Class II is pedal-assisted or throttle, up to 20mph.
—Class III is pedal-assisted up to 28mph. Throttle is optional.
—Class IV is speeds over 28mph or a motor 750W or more.
Personal opinion: Class 1 can and should be allowed anywhere a regular pedal bike is allowed. Class 2 needs to have a max weight limit if it’s to be used on sidewalks or multiuse trails, basically anywhere there are pedestrians. Class 3 absolutely should have a max weight limit if it’s going to be used anywhere except roads. Class 4 is getting into speeds and weights high enough to warrant consideration for licenses/permits in public spaces.
I have a class I. It is significantly faster than anyone else on the bike trails around me most of the time. My roadbike will go faster on the downhill sections, but on flat or uphill it is much slower. Because of this it doesn't fit well on the bike trails - I make it work, but only because the trails are not busy and so the rare times I encounter anyone else I hit the brakes and pass much slower.
Ebikes are restricted to 25 kph (15 mph) in Europe.
They aren’t limited to 25kph. That’s just when the electric boost stops. You could easily go 50-60kph downhill like a regular bike.
I don't think easily is the right word to use here, you need a steep decline combined with some heavy pedaling (and an aerodynamic position) to get there.
The point is you can still easily go as fast as any road bike...
Same here in Australia
I'm from the cringe European country known as Britland.
I can tell you ebikes here definitely go faster than 15mph.
So am I and legal ebikes stop providing electrical assistance at 15mph. Bikes that are above this have been modified and are illegal.
Do you think saying modified ebikes are illegal stop people using them? Lol
The majority of Uber eats/deliveroo riders use ebike conversion kits of over 250W. It literally makes no difference if they're illegal or not if the police don't enforce it.
My onewheel is 750W, technically illegal but I have 1000s hours on it and police have actually complimented me.
Regardless of what you or others are doing my point is still valid in that ebikes are legally restricted to 15 mph.
If you're going to stick with that one, I'll say your point is mostly irrelevant, we were talking about how fast bikes are actually going, not the law around it which everyone chooses to ignore.
But since we are stating mildly related facts I'm happy to join in saying valid points.
Bicycles can be used on public roads where the speed limit is above 15mph
Can't say I agree as long as you're referring to a class 1-3 ebike, otherwise, we are no longer referring to ebikes.
Not to mention skills needed to ride a e bike at full chat are much similar to those needed to ride a motorcycle. To ride a motorcycle you need to be licensed and prove at least basic proficiency. Sure a good bicyclist can get up to those speeds but it takes a long time to become fit enough letting you build skills. You can go day one, haven't ridden in 20 years and get up a speed high enough to seriously injure yourself.
nobody would buy a ebike if it was limited to 10 or 15mph. they want it ot do 20+
On top of that, they go as fast as, and are therefore as dangerous as a moped. Which also needs tags and insurance.
Speed + weight / momentum + location = level of danger.
ambiguous words + Lemmy comment / armchair math = dumb person