Since the first state adopted the 3 class law in 2015 every year since more states have adopted the law. Every year! And more state legislatures are considering it this year, 2021. More states are 3 class than not.
If existing laws worked so well ("doing just fine"), why are so many states racing to adopt the 3 class law?
In 2002 there were thousands of ebikes in the U.S., you were lucky to get one up to 14 mph for 10 miles distance. Now millions. Times and bikes have changed. Few laws remain unchanged for 20 years. Given the swift adoption of the 3 class law, its obvious the old regs didn't work.
As for Oregon "doing just fine", why then are land managers (both local and federal) there using the classes to sort out where people can ride, even though Oregon hasn't adopted the 3 class law..... yet?
Regulations for e-bikes have not kept up with their popularity. Defining what they are is an important step in learning where people can ride them.
www.opb.org
There's a long list of articles about the difficulties Oregon has and is having with the existing laws. So they are using the most popular standard to sort it out.
Need a name of this "expert". In my dealings with P4B in an attempt to get support locally, they were never less than precise and well informed.