Many on EBR claim that by advocating the federal definition for a "low speed electric bicycle" (LSEB) as a bike for state use regulations I'm advocating unsafe crazy speeds that would result in less access for ebikes. Let's examine that scientifically to see if they know what they are talking about.
The federal definition per specified constraints limits the motor power alone to what can sustain a 170lb rider at 20mph on a level surface (interestingly that is around 340W of sustained motor or human power on an upright bike). That is not crazy fast and allows a handicapped person the right to own a throttle-assist ebike and achieve a speed up to 20mph using the motor alone. None of us should object to that. Right? Even the class 1 trail zealots should be OK with this. Sadly those trail zealots don't want class 2 throttle-assist ebike on trails because they claim increased damage (a nice fabrication with no data to back it up).
Obviously, that would be easily achieve with assist cut-offs at 20mph as advocated by the 3-class system, but that is NOT required per the federal LSEB definition. It's the easy way to do it....not the best way.
The CPSC has clarified (per request from People for Bikes) that that power level can continue to be provided above 20mph so long as the additional speed generated is by rider power/effort. So lets assume a good rider can sustain an additional 250W (ie a total of 250+340 or 590W). Because of the impact of aerodynamic drag above 20mph that results in a speed of 24.7mph but that a high level of power for a rider to sustain. Realistically lets drop that rider power to 150W so the total is now 490W. That results in 23.2mph.
Now everyone keeps saying I'm advocating crazy speeds but this is what I'm advocating because they don't take the time to understand the relationship between power and speed. Certainly the local trail managers and politicians don't because they would miss an episode of Duck Dynasty or Keeping up with the Kardashians (I'm politically balanced).
By the way that is why most people that buy an EU rated 250W class 3 / speed pedelec have to really work hard to achieve 28mph (in fact most need a bit of downhill to do so).
If you read and understood this data it become pretty clear that it made no sense to create classes when the definition in HR727 limited motor alone to 20mph and good riders may sustain a speed under 25mph with significant effort. All the confusion to claim that states needed ot parse this for "use" ... that is total BS. It just is and I'm not trying to insult anyone but they don't understand the relationship between power and speed.
The federal definition per specified constraints limits the motor power alone to what can sustain a 170lb rider at 20mph on a level surface (interestingly that is around 340W of sustained motor or human power on an upright bike). That is not crazy fast and allows a handicapped person the right to own a throttle-assist ebike and achieve a speed up to 20mph using the motor alone. None of us should object to that. Right? Even the class 1 trail zealots should be OK with this. Sadly those trail zealots don't want class 2 throttle-assist ebike on trails because they claim increased damage (a nice fabrication with no data to back it up).
Obviously, that would be easily achieve with assist cut-offs at 20mph as advocated by the 3-class system, but that is NOT required per the federal LSEB definition. It's the easy way to do it....not the best way.
The CPSC has clarified (per request from People for Bikes) that that power level can continue to be provided above 20mph so long as the additional speed generated is by rider power/effort. So lets assume a good rider can sustain an additional 250W (ie a total of 250+340 or 590W). Because of the impact of aerodynamic drag above 20mph that results in a speed of 24.7mph but that a high level of power for a rider to sustain. Realistically lets drop that rider power to 150W so the total is now 490W. That results in 23.2mph.
Now everyone keeps saying I'm advocating crazy speeds but this is what I'm advocating because they don't take the time to understand the relationship between power and speed. Certainly the local trail managers and politicians don't because they would miss an episode of Duck Dynasty or Keeping up with the Kardashians (I'm politically balanced).
By the way that is why most people that buy an EU rated 250W class 3 / speed pedelec have to really work hard to achieve 28mph (in fact most need a bit of downhill to do so).
If you read and understood this data it become pretty clear that it made no sense to create classes when the definition in HR727 limited motor alone to 20mph and good riders may sustain a speed under 25mph with significant effort. All the confusion to claim that states needed ot parse this for "use" ... that is total BS. It just is and I'm not trying to insult anyone but they don't understand the relationship between power and speed.
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