I had such a bike in 1997.
What are they like? Noisy; uncomfortable (vibrate like mad); unreliable; not very economical
Pete
In other words Pete, they haven't changed since the 1950s, they were just as poor then, especially the vibration. IC engine vehicles need to be designed as an integrated whole.
Re: falling into the motorist's view.
My view is that confrontation on the roads or in road matters achieves nothing, and co-operation can achieve a lot. I've been riding bikes and motorbikes and driving cars most of my life. I've had considerable truck experience as well, and I enjoy walking and frequently walk several miles through town or country when going somewhere specific, with and without pavements and plenty of horses in this edge of London area.
Having worn all hats I can sympathise with each road user, so whatever role I'm in, I try to help others have a good journey experience. That's why each of my bikes has a mirror so I can avoid holding up motorists when passing parked cars or approaching blind corners, simply by timing my arrival to suit, easy with an electric.
Alternatively, if a pavement stretch is
completely empty of pedestrians, I happily use pavement cutaways to pass parked cars on the pavement side to avoid holding up traffic in busy areas.
I always give priority to public transport whether riding or driving, often even when I have the right of way.
I slow to a crawl for horse riders in risky situations and wind down the window when driving to exchange greetings, always appreciated by the riders.
These are just some of many ways that I use the roads co-operatively, and in consequence often get a friendly toot or thank you wave from drivers. It's very noticeable how my local bus drivers go out of their way to be specifically helpful to me as a result. Many motorists are also helpful to cyclists, something all too easily ignored or forgotten by cyclists.
Just some of the thirty million road users doing the same could transform our roads, just by recognising that we are sharing a mutually difficult situation, not competing in it.
Summarising, I fall into every road users point of view.
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