Electric bicycles

[Pat D]

So I was driving home from a camping/fishing excursion last week, and a kid on an electric bicycle was on the shoulder next to me. I didn't think much of it until I realized we were both doing 50mph. Full disclosure, it was flat ground. Pretty impressive, I thought. In my state, traditional "mopeds" (49cc max) require a drivers license, headlights, turn signals, brake lights, etc, and most won't do 50mph (at least none that I ever played with). But the electric bicycles are not age restricted or required to have any sort of lighting or signaling equipment, nor mirrors.

I've been thinking of what sort of 2 wheel conveyance I could hang on the back of my little 21' class C, the 650 is a bit heavy, so I've been looking at old enduros up to about 250-350cc, but damn- if these electric bicycles will haul me around at 50mph for a decent range, and discretely/quietly, I may be sorely tempted to go that route. Anybody got any direct experience with these contraptions?

 

[AUTOMAN]

I would, except the battery management.
Charging/dis-charging is known to start fires.

On another note in MI, under 50cc is open for mopeds if you are 16+.
My old sachs does 40 MPH and gets 100 MPG.
Gotta hop them up to do this.

 

[bosco659]

I’ve noticed lately, a large number of kids riding what looks like a small electric motocross bikes on sidewalks and the side of the road. At least most are wearing helmets. You can tell they think they’re doing something illegal, as they are constantly looking over their shoulder to check for police? They are going too fast and I’m sure pretty soon I’ll be reading about a pedestrian or jogger that was taken out by one of these bikes.

That said, they would be handy on the back of a motor home.

 

[MikeyDeepXS]

I thought Electric bikes arent supposed to go over 30, legally, heard that multiple times, including once from a Specialized bike rep.

Hmm

 

[Adamc]

In Blighty all electric powered bikes should be road registered and road taxed; most are not!
Legal bikes are limited to 15.5mph / 250w motors; most are not!
They are currently the scourge of the local roads, mostly used by drug runners suppling the local population on council estates.
Upstanding citizens hate the bloody things wizzing around the roads with no care for the law; usually wheeling down the wrong side of the road, causing danger to other road users and pedestrians alike.
They should be banned from sale.

Sur-Ron are the bikes of choice:

The police are now trying to confiscate these machines when used illegally; and they are sent to the crusher.

Electric scooters are being used in the same way and e-scooters should also be banned.

 

[Adamc]

More here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c05y9pe5p1jo

 

[FB71]

Maryland has a distinction between e-bicycle and e-motorcycle.
If it has pedals that can directly power the rear wheel, it's a bicycle. Bicycle laws apply.
If it does Not have pedals that connect directly to the wheel (even if it has pedals for power generation), it's a motorcycle, and motorcycle laws apply, including registration, tags, insurance, etc..

 

[RC4MAN]

I've seen different ones out there, a buddy has 2 Lectric brand models that he uses when he and wife going camping to cruise the park properties. Wife and I borrowed them earlier this year to get around the grounds surrounding Road Atlanta during the Moto America weekend. I found that they don't do steeper hills without pedal assistance and that the pedaling position was not exactly ideal for that effort. Left them at home the second day.
These had smaller wheels compared to some I've seen that have more bicycle sized diameters so not sure what other models would be like comparably.
Regardless, I'm not interested in getting any myself.

 

[Adamc]

Maryland has a distinction between e-bicycle and e-motorcycle.
If it has pedals that can directly power the rear wheel, it's a bicycle. Bicycle laws apply.
If it does Not have pedals that connect directly to the wheel (even if it has pedals for power generation), it's a motorcycle, and motorcycle laws apply, including registration, tags, insurance, etc..

Correct.

e-Bicycles are electric power assisted pedal cycles with very limited performance and speed; under 16mph with assistance.

e-Bikes have no pedals and are purely powered by electrical mechanical means. Intended for Off Road use.
When used On Road they must be Road Registered & Road Taxed, just like a motorbike.

UK retail governance has totally overlooked this issue.

I have no objection to both e-Bikes or e-bicycles being used appropriately in accordance with local regulations.

 

[MikeyDeepXS]

What a waste to crush them.

I hope the pull the batteries for “recycling” before they do that, if not… It could be one hell of a fireworks show!

In Blighty all electric powered bikes should be road registered and road taxed; most are not!
Legal bikes are limited to 15.5mph / 250w motors; most are not!
They are currently the scourge of the local roads, mostly used by drug runners suppling the local population on council estates.
Upstanding citizens hate the bloody things wizzing around the roads with no care for the law; usually wheeling down the wrong side of the road, causing danger to other road users and pedestrians alike.
They should be banned from sale.

Sur-Ron are the bikes of choice:
View attachment 374012

The police are now trying to confiscate these machines when used illegally; and they are sent to the crusher.
View attachment 374013

Electric scooters are being used in the same way and e-scooters should also be banned.