Idk who this Brad Davis guy is, but he is pretty obviously garbage with trash opinions
The only point that was even remotely valid was the “over 30” bit, and that’s already covered by laws on e-bike classifications.
If your e-bike doesn’t cut pedal assist at 28, or throttle only at 20, it is now a motorcycle and must be licensed and registered as such.
I get mad at this stuff. A motorcycle license is not that hard to get; just take MSF. Add turn signals and a license plate holder, and remove the vestigial pedals, and you’re basically there.
Just from an engineering perspective, bike parts are not meant for that kind of speed and torque. The frames can’t handle it, the tires can’t handle it, the chains can’t handle it, and the brakes can’t handle it. If you want motorcycle speeds, get motorcycle parts.
just take MSF
Honestly everyone should be taking a class like MSF just to drive. They would certainly understand aggressive road behavior, peoples driving patterns, etc so much better.
I briefly rode a motorcycle back in the day and I can say that taking a motorcycle safety course absolutely improved my driving. It helped me become more aware of cyclists and bikers on the road and made me more aware of how my actions impacted how the bike (or car) moved. It was incredibly helpful and I would recommend it to anyone even if you’re not interested in riding a motorcycle.
Ebikes that do 30mph? That’s a special category called speedpedelec here. Need a license to ride, mandatory helmet, mandatory insurance and mandatory license plate on the “bike”. All other electrified bicycles are called ebikes, no license, plates or helmet required (but I insist you wear one anyway), they’re limited to 25kph (what is that, like 14mph?) assisted and the motor can’t exceed 250W.
Are regular cyclists allowed to ride faster than 30MPH?
If the posted speed is >30mph and you juiced your legs like Armstrong, then I guess, at least here, it’s fair game.
Large groups of cyclists can go between 40 and 50kph on a level road, so if they go downhill then sure.
I routinely break 30MPH on my regular unjuiced legs. I do understand how the fact that ebikes can readily and easily break that speed in any conditions leads to them doing it regularly thus making them a greater risk to themselves and bystanders. But it still always strikes me as a little funny or ironic how they need a license in many places to do that while I do it all the time for free, and how the conversation over safe streets often revolves around how to manage them, while meanwhile cars in my country continue to kill 125+ people every day.
The only people I see on ebikes are those dang nabbit youths.
My biggest fear is they don’t know the rules of the road or have any practical experience in a car to have defensive driving/riding skills. They don’t know when they are in someone’s blind spot or what it is like to be a driver in a familiar area while agitated (such as local Walmart parking lot or that on ramp that always has idiots and confusing signs or the stoplight that always has congestion… etc)
They have no clue how dumb I can be or what I’ve witnessed. Stop at the stop signs at least and don’t drive so close to parked cars going 20mph
Funny enough, ebike users I see around here in GA (Panthersville/Decatur, few miles outside Atlanta) are all adults, generally above 30s. Younger people seem to use electric scooters. My bother and I both are in our 40s with ebikes, and even perusing an expensive bike store to see what they had(money I could afford) it was older couple I saw asking questions. Obviously anecdotal.
same here in sweden, e-bikes are hideously expensive, no way kids can afford one.
meanwhile e-scooters are like 400€ and way more portable, perfect for kids.
This is a very, very good point. Giving moderately high speed vehicles to youth, without bodily protection like at least a helmet, is very dangerous. It should at least be against the law not to have a helmet.
But yes, young people are very bad at assessing the situation at any given moment in traffic. This comes after a few years of spending time in traffic. Not even after you have your license. Way after that fact.
With all that said, building for people rather than cars is a good move any day, IMO.
Helmet laws are tricky. They discourage people (especially low income) from riding bikes at all, and disproportionately give that same group extra legal or financial trouble.
There was a study in Australia where they found helmet laws didn’t increase rider safety. What they found was visually appearing safer (I’ve experienced this personally with helmet and hivis vest) drivers would get closer to riders. Some kind of perceived safety margin effect.
Ohh no, 30mph! That was way quicker than a Ford Mustang!
Gosh, that’s like about 50 kmph, that is really too quick for people that usually lack any protection. Person riding a bike even with helmet can get quite an injury if gets into an accident…
While i agree, i’m pretty sure it happened once or twice to them and they amplify it as a crisis. Not to mention the emphasise on racial.
I love the not so subtle end point for our asshole comment.
Good USians know to drive wrecklessly down our streets. It’s those damn illegals riding electric bikes wrecklessly that’s the problem!
Their true crime is “existing while brown”.
Complaining about non-white people in Jersey City is like complaining about water near the ocean. If it’s a problem for you, it’s your own fault for being there.
