Is 3-Class Legislation Creating More Problems Than It Ever Solved...

Ken M

Well-Known Member
Given the huge downturn in ebike sales post new regulations based on the People for Bikes 3-Class system is it time to admit that it's created more problems than it ever could have solved. As an example, riders of Class 2 throttle ebikes are being required to have a motorcycle license, registration, and insurance when in reality they have no performance different than a Class 1 ebike (it's just based on the emotional perception that a throttle makes it not a bike).
 
Generally: 3-Class Regulations are State or Local codes with perhaps the Department of the Environment ENCON DEP as the L.E.O. whom would presumably create a citation for a violation of the regulation and subsequently appear in court as required. Some states seem to have these personnel like I read California. Most seem to not have issued citations or we would read about more "TICKETS".
Infrequently: Some regulations maybe traffic related and enforced by Police, Sheriff, Trooper perhaps only in New York City(?)
 
New Jersey is the state that brought the hammer down on ebikes.
My state, Washington, passed the 3-Class regs into law several months ago, and I haven't noticed a change.
 
New Jersey is the state that brought the hammer down on ebikes.
My state, Washington, passed the 3-Class regs into law several months ago, and I haven't noticed a change.
Be prepared for Class 3 to eventually require licence/registration/insurance as what happened in the EU with speed pedalecs. What is funny is that Speed Pedalec sales went way down and the speed unlocking dongles sold 3 million units. So what does the EU do? They make it illegal to alter the capability of any ebike ignoring that an assist cut-off at 25kph/15mph is both stupid and unsafe. What people need to grasp is that the auto industry is driving these regulations to keep bikes recreation/fitness/leisure oriented.
 
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