Is ebike license an insurance requirement inevitable.

[EdC]

The other day I watched a YouTube video on an ebike, that anyone can buy, that has a throttle only speed well in excess of 28 mph. I’ve viewed other videos, on ebikes with similar capabilities. It’s only a mater of time before ebike car and pedestrian accidents, with these fast ebikes, causes politicians, lawyers and insurance companies that forces legalization on ebikes that might affect all ebike users. Europe already has. Ed

 

[J.R.]

I think breaking up ebikes into classes opens the door to further restrictions and regulation. I can forsee some municipalities banning class 2 bikes off trails and paths. Class 3 bikes are already banned from paths, but I think there will be more restrictions, like license and insurance. Most places require a license for a 30 mph moped, it's not a stretch for regulators to require one for a 28 mph ebike.

Sellers posting videos of 35 mph rides aren't doing us any favors. I also think the 3 class law will allow targeted regulation. We were a minority within a minority, now our tiny numbers are broken into 3 classes. I think some will regret that.

 

[Ken M]

Most bike riders fully understand the risks of riding faster so they will tend to ride at a speed safe for the conditions at any given time. Accidents are going to happen so I hope there is no effort to distort the reason for the accidents by noting that a bike was capable of an assist speed higher that the regulations when it had nothing to do with the accident. I'm sure the insurance industry will do everything in it's power to get every ebike to require insurance (those CEOs want their bonus money).

My guess is there is some data showing that traditional bikes when ridden by competent riders are hitting speeds on average as high as 55kph on wide open downhill stretches. This leads me to believe that ebikes are not really hitting higher speeds than non-assisted bikes they are just able to sustain higher average speeds so data is already being distorted. An assist speed limit of 32kph is not preventing an ebike from hitting higher speeds so what is the real purpose of the assist limits? I think they are intended to protect market share for mid-drives which are much better suited for slower speed riding because at higher speeds the drive train ratios limit their benefit (hub drives have an advantage at higher speeds because their torque is delivered at the wheel axle).

Obviously the best way to deal with safety concerns is to set speed limits on the mixed use sidewalks and paths where there are people walking and jogging (typically though they are paying less attention than the bike riders are and probably more likely to cause the accident).

 

[tomjasz]

Most bike riders fully understand the risks of riding faster

Hey Ken ! An interesting perspective, but as a seasoned kit seller and support fella I can't come to any sort of agreement with much of your post.
Mid drives are capable of over 40MPH and one company is constantly pushing the limits and pushing customers towards some scary builds. Heck they even kit people off their pages for NOT supporting fast bikes. Now ere seeing bikes like the SurRon. Clearly more motorcycle than eBike with kits to hang functioning but hardly usable pedals.

Obviously the best way to deal with safety concerns is to set speed limits on the mixed use sidewalks and paths where there are people walking and jogging (typically though they are paying less attention than the bike riders are and probably more likely to cause the accident).

I'm not sure it's obvious, but I do agree! Thanks for the interesting ideas!

 

[J.R.]

You mean these videos?

No, I wasn't thinking of crash test videos, I was thinking of sales pitch videos.

 

[trailerguy52]

A person on a regular bike can go as fast as I can on my e bike, I have had them pass me. It's not having pedal assist, it's trying to make two object occupy the same space that causes accidents.