I’m going to go ahead and say they’re actually motorized vehicles. They used to be called “mopeds” when they were powered by gas, but now they’re just regular bikes that happen to have motors and so get to use the bike lane too, I guess (yes I am cranky).
EDIT: Either way, those fools should be wearing helmets. Always always always wear a helmet.
It’s a spectrum. A pedal-assist electric bicycle and a Surron are both considered “e-bikes” yet they’re wildly different with the other effectively being a motorbike. In europe the vast majority of e-bikes are pedal assist with a 250W motor and maximum speed of 25kph (15mph)
EDIT: Pedal assist (pedelec) means the motor only runs when you’re pedaling and usually the harder you pedal the more it assists but it cuts off at 25kph and if you want to go faster it’s muscle power only from there on.
I think pedelecs are distinct enough from mopeds to earn the name of e-bike, but throttled variants are a different matter where the line is far less clear.
I’m not sure what that jargon means, but I’ll take your word for it and cut the e-bikers some slack.
I will say some of the older models with less powerful electric engines felt different. The newer models I see look like they go very fast, even uphill. I would not want to get hit by one.
You’ve come in here and pedantically broke down terminology, then started telling people to make sure they put their helmets on. Then you don’t understand the downvotes.
I’m going to go ahead and say they’re actually motorized vehicles. They used to be called “mopeds” when they were powered by gas, but now they’re just regular bikes that happen to have motors and so get to use the bike lane too, I guess (yes I am cranky).
EDIT: Either way, those fools should be wearing helmets. Always always always wear a helmet.
It’s a spectrum. A pedal-assist electric bicycle and a Surron are both considered “e-bikes” yet they’re wildly different with the other effectively being a motorbike. In europe the vast majority of e-bikes are pedal assist with a 250W motor and maximum speed of 25kph (15mph)
EDIT: Pedal assist (pedelec) means the motor only runs when you’re pedaling and usually the harder you pedal the more it assists but it cuts off at 25kph and if you want to go faster it’s muscle power only from there on.
I think pedelecs are distinct enough from mopeds to earn the name of e-bike, but throttled variants are a different matter where the line is far less clear.
I’m not sure what that jargon means, but I’ll take your word for it and cut the e-bikers some slack.
I will say some of the older models with less powerful electric engines felt different. The newer models I see look like they go very fast, even uphill. I would not want to get hit by one.
I agree with you, electric bikes belong on the road.
… after all cars are banned
I wear a motorcycle helmet on mine
Good! Keep doing that.
EDIT: Down voting helmet safety? You all are strange, but okay.
You’ve come in here and pedantically broke down terminology, then started telling people to make sure they put their helmets on. Then you don’t understand the downvotes.
Are you my dad?
I might be, sure.
Not sure why you have a bug up yer bum about it I’m just fucking around, but okay.
EDIT: Also I’m totally serious about the helmet thing. Wear a damn helmet if you can afford it. Don’t care if it sounds naggy, it’s so important!
Okay, dad.