Days numbered for over 250w pedelecs??

[Zlatan]

Why? Because I was attracted by the headline of a "newspaper" article which I read then wrote of as non information?

I analysed the content and rather than thinking "We are all doomed! End of the 250 W pedelec!", like some who shall remane nameless, I concluded that it was probably written by an intern replacing a real journalist for the holidays so lacking it was in fact and useful information...

I posed the question , the clue was in the question marks in the title.
My only point is we should be careful to safeguard our privileged position, re using pedelecs in Peak District etc etc. That right could easily be removed as it already has in parts of USA.
Yes, Il De Re might be exaggerated, fake, rubbish etc etc but the reality is there are lots of illegal, dongled , high power bikes being used which by rights should be registered , taxed, insured and not on anything other than High ways.
Yes its individuals decision to ride an uninsured moped, motorbike etc etc but folk should realise using them on tracks risks us all loosing that privilege.
In last month I, ve seen perhaps 10 Ebikes going around Lady Bower. Half were illegal as pedelecs.
The article simply raises the profile. Unfortunately, in this case, in a bad way.
And if it makes 1 rider think about using a legal pedelec over what is actually a motorbike around Lady Bower I don't feel ashamed at all. Quite the reverse actually. The folk using, selling and offering advice about illegal bikes are the ones who should be ashamed. (or the ones defending said activity,)

 

[Wicky]

I, ve seen perhaps 10 Ebikes going around Lady Bower. Half were illegal as pedelecs.

Evidence that 5/10 were illegal?

 

[Gubbins]

Evidence that 5/10 were illegal?

Doesn't matter as they were all probably mates.. I cant believe its anything more that a small percentage overall and not everyone that has a speed up device fitted rides like a moron!

 

[soundwave]

and who will pay to police all of this on and off road because plod dont give a crap atm lawful or not.

i know we can send in these guys.

 

[Gubbins]

and who will pay to police all of this on and off road because plod dont give a crap atm lawful or not.

i know we can send in these guys.

Perhaps we should be more like you! I suspect al your talk is talk and your just a pussy really!

 

[LeighPing]

and who will pay to police all of this on and off road because plod dont give a crap atm lawful or not.

There aren't sufficient resources to be proactive, just reactive. Try not to crash badly.

 

[soundwave]

i ride my bike about going 30mph pissed and stoned think i give a crap about a dongle lol.

 

[LeighPing]

i ride my bike about going 30mph pissed and stoned think i give a crap about a dongle lol.

Under those circumstances, are you even able to think?

 

[Gubbins]

Under those circumstances, are you even able to think?

Think and drive?

 

[soundwave]

i have 20 years of training

 

[Artstu]

In last month I, ve seen perhaps 10 Ebikes going around Lady Bower. Half were illegal as pedelecs.

Half the Derwent is a public tarmac road with a 40 mph speed limit for 98% ish of the time.

Look how fast naughty Graham went round, I think you should have a word with him https://www.strava.com/activities/1005453052#24652169512

segment https://www.strava.com/activities/362001579/segments/8634698167

 

[Zlatan]

and who will pay to police all of this on and off road because plod dont give a crap atm lawful or not.

i know we can send in these guys.

That's exactly the problem SW. Plod won't or even can't differtiate , hasnt got time to go waiting around corners at Lady Bower or wherever. They will simply put up a sign. No Ebikes, pedelecs or anything like them. They can do that and I, m telling you it will happen.
I don't understand peiple:s tolerance with this. If any of us arranged a ride out around some country hill, lake or something and one of your mates rolled up on a 125 Honda or a moped, motoped or even a Brinco you say WTF you doing on that. Roll up on a 1000w kit bike and no problem....Its exactly same.

 

[Zlatan]

Half the Derwent is a public tarmac road with a 40 mph speed limit for 98% ish of the time.

Look how fast naughty Graham went round, I think you should have a word with him https://www.strava.com/activities/1005453052#24652169512

segment https://www.strava.com/activities/362001579/segments/8634698167

I don't do the road bit, go up behind road to Lockerbrook Farm. The road is not the issue. The problem is the tracks and not even the single track ones. The mixed use ones around Lady B this year have caused head aches for wardens. In places 10 mph speed limit signs appeared but were taken down.??
It's a matter of time before something is done. Folk were complaining to wardens. The walkers don't approve. The ordinary mtbers aren't impressed. They are waiting and looking for a reason to ban us. We should try not to give them a justifiable reason.

 

[Gubbins]

That's exactly the problem SW. Plod won't or even can't differtiate , hasnt got time to go waiting around corners at Lady Bower or wherever. They will simply put up a sign. No Ebikes, pedelecs or anything like them. They can do that and I, m telling you it will happen.
I don't understand peiple:s tolerance with this. If any of us arranged a ride out around some country hill, lake or something and one of your mates rolled up on a 125 Honda or a moped, motoped or even a Brinco you say WTF you doing on that. Roll up on a 1000w kit bike and no problem....Its exactly same.

I think that if ebikes are banned from trails and trail centres it will be because they are ebikes, not necessarily illegal ebikes. Most of the fek heads I come across on the canal are riding unpowered bikes and they can go much faster than I can.

 

[Artstu]

In places 10 mph speed limit signs appeared but were taken down.??
It's a matter of time before something is done. Folk were complaining to wardens. The walkers don't approve. The ordinary mtbers aren't impressed. They are waiting and looking for a reason to ban us.

That sounds more like a conflict between cyclists and walkers to me, cyclists are denigrated from all sides these days.

 

[Gubbins]

That sounds more like a conflict between cyclists and walkers to me, cyclists are denigrated from all sides these days.

On the towpath, or at least by me, signage states pedestrians have priority and cycles should give way.

 

[Zlatan]

I think that if ebikes are banned from trails and trail centres it will be because they are ebikes, not necessarily illegal ebikes. Most of the fek heads I come across on the canal are riding unpowered bikes and they can go much faster than I can.

Agreed fair point. Probably it takes an Ebiker/pedelecer to know difference.
In States they had this very argument and came down against emtbs on many tracks. For a while Ebikes were banned in NY,ban lifted recently but not on mountain bike tracks and they have thousands of miles more tracks than us.

 

[Zlatan]

On the towpath, or at least by me, signage states pedestrians have priority and cycles should give way.

Peak District has same signs. It can and does however lead to more confusion. I always keep to left of larger tracks as do most other track users, except those who have read the sign. They walk down middle oblivious with attitude of I, m not moving to either side. Which I suppose is one meaning of having priority.
And then with infinite wisdom the pavement towards Bamford is split in two. One half walkers other cyclists but cyclists have to contend with walkers who can't read writing on the floor and motorists opening their doors into cycle path. It's not really the environment to even need a pedelec, let alone an illegal one at busy times. I, m very lucky, I can go out mid week early morning and have entire net
work to myself. Stopped going weekends now its busy. Not worth the hassle.

 

[anotherkiwi]

I regularly use a shared path that is also used, illegally, by IC mopeds who are often at death inducing speeds. Like in the UK, not enough police and they have "more important" things to do...

Before tackling electric mopeds (a pedelec does not have a throttle, you have to pedal):

- ban all 2 strokes
- impound scooters with aftermarket exhausts that exceed the dB of the OEM exhaust
- actually book for speeding mopeds doing over 45 km/h
- etc...

 

[anon4]

My old bike was pretty nippy once I installed a throttle, somehow that derestricted it (falcon spark) and I was able to ride it on shared routes safely. The trick is keeping the brakes setup properly, and only going flat out where you are sure there will be no surprises. I always slow down for blind corners or anywhere where humans or animals may suddely appear. Also never trust a dog to stay put. I have cycled all my life though. If only half the idiots I see could ride with common sense then it would be safe. Roadies regularly reach crazy speeds on these cycleways, they just don't seem to know what brakes or giving way is half the time. Just today one nearly hit me oncoming even though there was plenty of room on the other side. Gits. It's not the vehicle that's the problem it's the people. Pedestrians hating cyclists because of the regular nutters is nothing new. Just e bikes are ammo. I'm always polite and even use a bell which is unheard of up here lol