Two bills moving through the California legislature this year could change how e-bikes are bought, ridden, and regulated across the state. One would require
A motor. Which is what ebikes have. The difference between a 20km/h ebike and a 200km/h ebike is the strength of the motor.
If you don’t cap the strength of the motor to be classified as an “ebike”, one could build an electric motorcycle that goes 200km/h and call it an ebike.
We’re facing similar kneejerk laws down here and there is a massive world of difference between a 250-500w ebike and a multi kilowatt emote / dirt bike. However, legislators are acting like a goddamn 250w pedelec with an assist cutout at 30kph is the same as an illegally imported kilowatt emote some dipshit 17 year old ploughs into the back of a parked car at 60kph
I think we probably agree on the fundamentals here: it’s the power and speed that should be a regulatory distinction.
That’s not e-bike versus e-motorcycle exactly. It doesn’t matter what the form factor or control mechanism is. If it’s fast and powerful, you can’t ride it on bike paths and need a driver’s license to take it on the road.
If you can’t tell the difference between an e bike and an e motorcycle then you shouldn’t be legislating
How should one distinguish them? Pedals are the obvious way, but they don’t have anything to do with safety. A bike could have pedals and go 200 km/h.
What would a bike require to go 200km/h.
Seriously. Think about it.
A motor. Which is what ebikes have. The difference between a 20km/h ebike and a 200km/h ebike is the strength of the motor.
If you don’t cap the strength of the motor to be classified as an “ebike”, one could build an electric motorcycle that goes 200km/h and call it an ebike.
That’s exactly what i’m talking about.
We’re facing similar kneejerk laws down here and there is a massive world of difference between a 250-500w ebike and a multi kilowatt emote / dirt bike. However, legislators are acting like a goddamn 250w pedelec with an assist cutout at 30kph is the same as an illegally imported kilowatt emote some dipshit 17 year old ploughs into the back of a parked car at 60kph
I think we probably agree on the fundamentals here: it’s the power and speed that should be a regulatory distinction.
That’s not e-bike versus e-motorcycle exactly. It doesn’t matter what the form factor or control mechanism is. If it’s fast and powerful, you can’t ride it on bike paths and need a driver’s license to take it on the road.