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

[Ken M]

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).

 

[Mike_V]

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(?)

 

[gromike]

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.

 

[Ken M]

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.

 

[harryS]

Illinois just reaffirmed the 3 class definitions to be treated like bicycles, Anything over 28 mph is a moped (license and registration time). Class 3 is pedal assist only, This was apparent in the original law passed about 8-10 years ago, but dealers were trying to sell throttle limited to 20 mph and pedal assist afterward (and here's a cheat code to beat both). The biggest change in our laws requires an age of 15 to ride an ebike, effective next year,

I've noticed the local cops rolling a golf cart thru my local bike path almost every time I go out the last two months, I suppose they're looking for the Junior Wild Angels, which I haven't seen all summer.