Food for thought

[GaRRy]

True in law Miles, but in fact wearing an open-face full cycling helmet of the Casco type for example would pass muster. This type of helmet is very popular in Australia and New Zealand so must be practical even in quite hot conditions, especially on an e-bike.

I can't see the police stopping anyone riding reasonably and wearing one of these, they have far more to occupy themselves these days with ANPR and the large number of uninsured, unlicenced drivers operating without valid MOT certificates.

Sorry But that helmet does not appear to meet the relevant standard (ECE 22.05) use on a moped/motorcycle. There are light open face legal helmets but they are more substantial than these

more like Arai Freeway 2 Black Frost Open Face Motorcycle Helmet | Branded Biker

 

[amigafan2003]

a Moped is legally restricted to 30 mph which is not exactly a lot more than 28 mph and has far superior brakes, lights, suspension and handling than any bicycle will ever have

Haha you're kidding right?

I'd rather be on my bikes (esp the full susser with disc brakes) than some of the "legal" mopeds I've had the misfortune to ride!

 

[GaRRy]

Haha you're kidding right?

I'd rather be on my bikes (esp the full susser with disc brakes) than some of the "legal" mopeds I've had the misfortune to ride!

whatever....

 

[amigafan2003]

whatever....

Great way for further your argument.

Bravo sir, bravo.

 

[SRS]

Yes a Motorcycle is a different beast and can have cruising speeds in excess of 150 let alone 100.

However a Moped is legally restricted to 30 mph which is not exactly a lot more than 28 mph and ihas far superior brakes, lights, suspension and handling than any bicycle will ever have. So what you are supporting is a vehicle almost as fast with far less safety features and none of the compliance of a moped (license, MOT etc). Sorry this seems complete madness to me.

Oh and on top of this most serious motorcycle accidents happen in 30 mph zone and involve "sorry officer I did not see him" motorists if such a bicycle was ever allowed just watch the accident stats go through the roof.

GaRRy

Just because a German e-bike could have a top speed of 28mph, I am not suggesting that this is the only speed that the cycle can be used at.

I would think some sort of graduated control system such a throttle be fitted. This would allow the user to select an appropriate speed for the road conditions. Difficult concept to grasp for some but it does seem to work on other vehicles.

Bearing in mind that it is possible to physically cycle at this speed I do not feel 28mph is excessive if conditions allow.

A small registration fee and nominal insurance contribution on these cycles would be acceptable to me. The 15 mph e-bikes remaining as is.

By the way, I was using mopeds when the 30mph restriction came into force. Just made the things more dangerous in faster moving traffic.

On another note, as per Jeremy,s post. I took up, boating 6 years ago. What a breath of fresh air. Slow or fast, nobody gives a hoot as long as you are sensible in where and what you do. Lovely!

 

[GaRRy]

Great way for further your argument.

Bravo sir, bravo.

No just dont see the point in arguing over something you obviously are never going to agree with. Old ground and complete waste of my time. I just hope you are never travelling at 30 mph when a car driver decides to pull out of a junction on you.

 

[Miles]

The daftest thing is the Low Powered Moped category. Speed restricted to 25kph, pedals compulsory yet, because if it isn't a bicycle it has to be a motor vehicle, full DOT approved helmet required

 

[GaRRy]

GaRRy

Just because a German e-bike could have a top speed of 28mph, I am not suggesting that this is the only speed that the cycle can be used at.

I would think some sort of graduated control system such a throttle be fitted. This would allow the user to select an appropriate speed for the road conditions. Difficult concept to grasp for some but it does seem to work on other vehicles.

Bearing in mind that it is possible to physically cycle at this speed I do not feel 28mph is excessive if conditions allow.

A small registration fee and nominal insurance contribution on these cycles would be acceptable to me. The 15 mph e-bikes remaining as is.

By the way, I was using mopeds when the 30mph restriction came into force. Just made the things more dangerous in faster moving traffic.

On another note, as per Jeremy,s post. I took up, boating 6 years ago. What a breath of fresh air. Slow or fast, nobody gives a hoot as long as you are sensible in where and what you do. Lovely!

Just because a Moped can do 30 mph does not mean have to travel at it either so bad argument.

Moped has a throttle as well again bad argument.

why should a vehicle capable of travelling as fast as a moped get cheaper insurance etc ?. Just because its a ebike ?

Most cyclists can get nowhere 28mph at least for a sustainable period of time. Limits need to be set for the norm not the exceptionable (after all not all car drivers have the reactions etc of Lewis Hamilton either and speed limits etc are set accordingly)

Statistics dont back up your argument although I'm with you on this but the ebike will be no more capable than keeping up than a moped so whats the difference?

I still dont see how what you want will ever happen as far to close to a moped to make no real difference so why have it (a electric moped is already perfectly possible to have but dont see many people buying them).Now if you say thats because of insurance, License etc you are falling straight into the trap that these bikes would just be a way of avoiding them.

Me I use one of these Hoylake December 2012 on Vimeo although sadly a bit more restrictive than sailing on water these days. 50 mph + and no brakes bum 2 inches of the floor Yahoo .

 

[amigafan2003]

I just hope you are never travelling at 30 mph when a car driver decides to pull out of a junction on you.

So do I!

But it's irrelevant as I don't do 30mph past junctions (bike wont even do 30, hell it's not even specced for the "S" class limit) and even if I did the outcome would be pretty much the same whether I was riding a moped or a cycle so I don't see your point.

Me I use one of these Hoylake December 2012 on Vimeo although sadly a bit more restrictive than sailing on water these days. 50 mph + and no brakes bum 2 inches of the floor Yahoo .

Cool - I use a buggy as well - used to board but that was before my Blade IV got in a mood and decided to break both my ankles!

 

[SRS]

GaRRy

Like I say, use speed wisely. Empty road, no side turning. 28mph, not a problem. Side roads, maybe 5, 10mph.

Just my opinion, worked for me over the last 750'000 miles in and on petrol vehicles. Of course, one can get killed at anytime on the roads. Just my opinion and thoughts, not any attempt an argument.

Anyway, like the kite trike, looks great. On another note, I see that you have a Neo Cross, any good? Looking at one one of these on Saturday. Normally use a non powered cycle to work but on the coast, particularly in the winter, 25mph winds in ones face is not much fun.

Any feedback appreciated.

 

[GaRRy]

So do I!

But it's irrelevant as I don't do 30mph past junctions (bike wont even do 30, hell it's not even specced for the "S" class limit) and even if I did the outcome would be pretty much the same whether I was riding a moped or a cycle so I don't see your point.

Cool - I use a buggy as well - used to board but that was before my Blade IV got in a mood and decided to break both my ankles!

Yes but personally I have no issue with your bike or attitude when riding it.The trouble I have is that as far as I can see most of the why cant we have a 'S' class supporters are basically looking to have mopped with out all the rules and restrictions and they will ride it just like a moped with all the consequences that will follow. Which could then end up affecting legislation for ALL ebikes not just 'S' class.

If some one wants a 'S' bike then fine get it registered as a moped and away you go.

Blade IV evil beast

 

[amigafan2003]

Yes but personally I have no issue with your bike or attitude when riding it.The trouble I have is that as far as I can see most of the why cant we have a 'S' class supporters are basically looking to have mopped with out all the rules and restrictions and they will ride it just like a moped with all the consequences that will follow. Which could then end up affecting legislation for ALL ebikes not just 'S' class.

If some one wants a 'S' bike then fine get it registered as a moped and away you go.

Oh I agree - kinda my point all along - legislation to protect the innocent from the actions of the reckless.

Blade IV evil beast

Yup - given me a few spankings when I wasn't paying attention.

I'm liking my rage for buggying - not the first choice for most but the pull is great. I don't like being "lofted"! I'm the same on my snowboard - if there is 1cm between the bottom of my board and the top of the snow then that's 1cm to much!

Speed on the other hand - can't get enough of it!

 

[103Alex1]

On another note, as per Jeremy,s post. I took up, boating 6 years ago. What a breath of fresh air. Slow or fast, nobody gives a hoot as long as you are sensible in where and what you do. Lovely!

Nothing beats being out on a motorboat. I'd do it every day if the weather was warm, funds sufficient and time allowed !

Me I use one of these Hoylake December 2012 on Vimeo although sadly a bit more restrictive than sailing on water these days. 50 mph + and no brakes bum 2 inches of the floor Yahoo .

Prefer my bum several inches above the water preferably behind a boat .. get my kicks on a wakeboard (thanking god the boat isn't going any faster !). When you see guys like this ride it's very inspiring :

Phil Soven - The Truth - YouTube

Still haven't cracked kitesurfing. Not enough practice by a long shot ... and all that kit to lug about rolleyes !

 

[flecc]

Sorry But that helmet does not appear to meet the relevant standard (ECE 22.05) use on a moped/motorcycle. There are light open face legal helmets but they are more substantial than these

more like Arai Freeway 2 Black Frost Open Face Motorcycle Helmet | Branded Biker

I'd already acknowledged that in my answer, but this Arai helmet isn't practical in warm weather for cycling, fuller enclosure and no ventilation holes. Using the Casco type answers that and the chance of getting prosecuted is as even nearer to zero as it is for all the other e-bike illegalities. As said, the police have better things to do than nitpick.

The only tangible effect is on any personal injury claim which would fail in the event of a head injury. That brings in the issues of why so many have accidents and whether one needs to wear a helmet at all. I'm not going there again except to remark I never wear a helmet (nor on motorbikes for many years) and have never been injured in any way whatsoever in my cycling/motorcycling lifetime, well over half of it living in London Boroughs.

 

[Jeremy]

As said, the police have better things to do than nitpick.

This is the key thing that all the many thousands of us who ride illegal ebikes rely upon.

Up until now (and long may it continue) the police and CPS have taken little or no notice of electric bikes use. For as long as illegal electric bikes don't stand out as being obviously illegal I would hope that this situation would continue.

 

[Old_Dave]

If going to the local plod shop to report the accident.... take the battery off of the bike.

Bike is now legal (thats of course assuming that it wasn't in the first place)

If questioned about the strange looking hub... then its a rubbish experimental dynamo.

 

[Jeremy]

If going to the local plod shop to report the accident.... take the battery off of the bike.

Bike is now legal

Nice one. Reminds me of being caught by the village copper when I was about 13, pushing a battered BSA Bantam along the road to the field that a few of us used to ride it around. The copper told us off, pointed out the laws we were breaking and made us take the bike home. The next day he came around, said he'd been checking the law and couldn't see any reason why we couldn't push the bike along the road if we put it on a trolley..............

 

[amigafan2003]

If going to the local plod shop to report the accident.... take the battery off of the bike.

Bike is now legal

Or just make sure your en15194 plate that you bought off ebay for £3.50 is affixed firmly to your down tube and that your automatic speed delimiter RFID transponder is more than 1m away from the bike

 

[jazper53]

I do remember in the 80s when shortwave/sideband and AM radio was very popular, but illegal, you could buy them legally, but not allowed to use them without a Ham Licence, eventually the goverment decided to allow CB radio but on the FM frequency which was a mistake as it could cause interference with tv signals where the AM frequency did not, and had a better range, which i expect they did not like. Sometimes ignoring a bad law does eventually force the goverment to except the realities of what people really want, and I expect the goverment will eventually apply common sense to its legislation with E-Bike, untill then. SOD THE LAW

 

[GaRRy]

I do remember in the 80s when shortwave/sideband and AM radio was very popular, but illegal, you could buy them legally, but not allowed to use them without a Ham Licence, eventually the goverment decided to allow CB radio but on the FM frequency which was a mistake as it could cause interference with tv signals where the AM frequency did not, and had a better range, which i expect they did not like. Sometimes ignoring a bad law does eventually force the goverment to except the realities of what people really want, and I expect the goverment will eventually apply common sense to its legislation with E-Bike, untill then. SOD THE LAW

Also remember as soon as they were legal all interest in them dried up as well