This mornings Sunday Times

Article about e-bike in this mornings Sunday Times it has also just been on BBC breakfast ... My thoughts are that this type of publicity is bad for all. What are your thoughts? Unfortunately I couldn't find a way to up load the whole article but if someone could tell me I'll give it a go.

Edited September 4, 20169 yr by Izzyekerslike

I've seen one or two speed past me on the Bristol / Bath cycle lane.

 

Not good.

I've seen one or two speed past me on the Bristol / Bath cycle lane.

 

Not good.

 

Were you in a car? Or on another bike?

Isn't it odd that cars and motorcycles regularly break the speed limit but this is considered normal because it happens all the time. The e-bike is noteworthy because it is unusual and whilst it would be impossible to film every car that broke the limit the odd speeding ebike is easy.

I've seen one or two speed past me on the Bristol / Bath cycle lane.

 

Not good.

How could you tell if he was on the motor or just a strong fit cyclist?

Need to see the video

Were you in a car? Or on another bike?

 

I was on another (250 watt, legal) eBike. It was a cycle path so no cars. But yes, a couple of times someone breezed past, motor humming away. They were going over 20, for sure.

How could you tell if he was on the motor or just a strong fit cyclist?

 

Because the motor was audibly active, and the pedalling was not strenuous.

I was on another (250 watt, legal) eBike. It was a cycle path so no cars. But yes, a couple of times someone breezed past, motor humming away. They were going over 20, for sure.

 

Unlike the times article stated then, they weren't actually appearing to break the speed limit, in your opinion?

 

They've clearly made a weak attempt to infer that 15.5 mph is a 'speed limit'. It's not.

Isn't it odd that cars and motorcycles regularly break the speed limit but this is considered normal because it happens all the time. The e-bike is noteworthy because it is unusual and whilst it would be impossible to film every car that broke the limit the odd speeding ebike is easy.

 

I think that where this differs is that the vehicle itself (eBike with quicker motor) is not legal unless correctly registered.

Unlike the times article stated then, they weren't actually appearing to break the speed limit, in your opinion?

 

They've clearly made a weak attempt to infer that 15.5 mph is a 'speed limit'. It's not.

 

There isn't a speed limit on the cycle path, so no they were not breaking any speed limit.

 

They were however breaking the law by using a vehicle that is not permitted to be on the cycle path in the first place.

There isn't a speed limit on the cycle path, so no they were not breaking any speed limit.

 

They were however breaking the law by using a vehicle that is not permitted to be on the cycle path in the first place.

 

Can an ebike not use the cycle path then?

 

I think that where this differs is that the vehicle itself (eBike with quicker motor) is not legal unless correctly registered.

 

Yep, get that till open. Kerching!

Edited September 4, 20169 yr by LeighPing

Yep, get that till open. Kerching!

 

 

Can an ebike not use the cycle path then?

 

 

Yep, get that till open. Kerching!

 

Not one that assists over 15.5mph, no...

Not one that assists over 15.5mph, no...

 

That's just your opinion though Will. It doesn't actually say that anywhere does it?

 

I mean, it's a bike, using a bike path. Why shouldn't it go there?

I would have thought most drivers would be happy to see a bike disapearing into the distance... the main grumble is that they are slow and hold everyone up.

Unless of course a speeding bicycle might win Strictly.....

That's just your opinion though Will. It doesn't actually say that anywhere does it?

 

I mean, it's a bike, using a bike path. Why shouldn't it go there?

 

Well, it's an opinion and a law

I mean, it's a bike, using a bike path. Why shouldn't it go there?

That's the point - it's no longer legally classed as a bike, but instead an unregistered moped.

That's the point - it's no longer legally classed as a bike, but instead an unregistered moped.

 

Well, it's an opinion and a law

 

People look at you and think "Bloody ebikes. Cheating buggers!" and you look at a faster ebike and just think "Cheating bugger!"

 

It's as much a moped as any other ebike to be fair. Just a few miles faster.

It's as much a moped as any other ebike to be fair. Just a few miles faster.

The law is very black & white in its definition. Anything over 15.5mph (17mph, including 10% speedo inaccuracy allowance) and it's no longer classed as a bicycle.

The law is very black & white in its definition. Anything over 15.5mph (17mph, including 10% speedo inaccuracy allowance) and it's no longer classed as a bicycle.

Yes, but by who?

Regardless of whether the Sunday Times or anyone else having clear evidence, we know they're out there because there's many sellers selling the stuff, and if you try to order one yourself, they're always waiting for the next delivery because they've sold out. Having said that, I've never seen one come flying past me during the last 6 years when I've been out and about on my bikes.

 

I guess nobody will do much about it until we have all the legislation and procedures in place to allow people to get them easily and cheaply registered or otherwise allowed.

 

Personally, I don't see it as any more of a problem than an annoying loose end that needs tying down. It will be sorted out soon. No need for the usual hysteria. It's been going on since before my involvement with electric bikes and nobody has died, while at the same time people have died playing golf and football. In fact, I would guess that people have died on their legal electric bikes from heart attacks that might otherwise still be alive if they had been riding riding a more powerful one.

Because the motor was audibly active, and the pedalling was not strenuous.

Thing is Will, that's only your opinion, my motor whirrs and I pedal easily my 11t top gear at 20mph. Strenuous is relative, the idea that he was 'not strenuous' is not measurable by any available properly calibrated equipment on which to base a prosecution. It could have been a good tailwind and a strong rider pushing a high gear. Remember the 250w is only nominal and there is no official speed limit for bikes on the road. I have often been passed by roadies doing well over 30 mph with apparently little effort on modern bikes.

There is of course the old offence of 'furious cycling' . Have there been any prosecutions for this recently?

On Cleveleys deserted prom last week, with a good stiff breeze and wearing my big jacket I saw the giddy speed of 24mph .

What we are facing is a total ban caused by chainless lash ups as seen on this forum, rattling along at 30mph with no apparent leg movement. The alternative would have to be a strict speed limit on any ebike regardless of the rider's input. This would be measurable by existing Police kit and would require only a small change in the law.

At some point some idiot will kill a child and we will all pay the price.

Yes, but by who?

The police, the crown prosecution, the courts and the government.

Edited September 4, 20169 yr by danielrlee

"Commuters have been filmed zipping along busy roads in London on battery-powered bikes that appear to be travelling faster than legal limits."

 

No laws have proved to have been broken. Even perceived laws.

 

 

We're both going 20 mph. Which one is breaking the law? Should it be both of us? None of us? Or, just one of us?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxMBf8gDDgk

Faster than the legal limit for a Pedelec. So unregistered unlicensed electric motorbikes have been seen.

 

By the way will anyone googling times, electric bike speed etc. Come here and read the my bike can do 30mph etc posts. A little bit of jounelistic effort and they could have a field day.