On balance, I still am not a fan of e-bikes (previously known as ‘I just don’t get E bikes’)

I might add that the most common donor bikes here are old MTBs with suspension forks, disc brakes and 2inch+ tires. Many EU users think they look like motorcycles instead of traditional bikes. But for our higher speed limits all of that is actually very useful. They are actually the most common form of pedal bike here.
 
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There is a history here of vehicles being sold to the public being regulated. But there is also a whole industry of aftermarket companies selling modifications, with lobbyists and attorneys to represent them and their users. Once you own a vehicle you can generally do whatever you like with it. I've seen some of the Ebike, and Emoto vendors showing up at the trade association's annual show. SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association). There is some question as to whether it's illegal for me to modify my own bike or not. Cars it's definitely not a problem.
To put this in perspective, I'm a retired truck mechanic. I was required to hold a license to drive the vehicles I was working on. Up to 80,000# GVW and unlimited HP engine. Typically 425-500HP. It's actually kind of amusing to see all of the EU and the Britsih Isles getting upset over someone riding a 2HP bicycle????
Compared to the antics of the Crotch Rocket riders, and outlaw ATV gangs, I'm pretty far down the list of proirities. Maybe I'm just easier to catch?
 
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Retrorockit said:
There is a history here of vehicles being sold to the public being regulated. But there is also a whole industry of aftermarket companies selling modifications, with lobbyists and attorneys to represent them and their users. Once you own a vehicle you can generally do whatever you like with it. I've seen some of the Ebike, and Emoto vendors showing up at the trade association's annual show. SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association). There is some question as to whether it's illegal for me to modify my own bike or not. Cars it's definitely not a problem.
To put this in perspective, I'm a retired truck mechanic. I was required to hold a license to drive the vehicles I was working on. Up to 80,000# GVW and unlimited HP engine. Typically 425-500HP. It's actually kind of amusing to see all of the EU and the Britsih Isles getting upset over someone riding a 2HP bicycle????
Click to expand...

The key point is that you had the required licence and I’d assume appropriate insurance too. I’ve no issue with people riding a road legal Ebike that does 70mph as long as it’s licensed and they ride within the law (almost within as there’s a time and place for fun)

Regardless of HP , when a user can reach speeds of 30-50mph in a short space , with no training or testing it’s a recipe for disaster. Once the worst happens they don’t have the appropriate insurance and likely will end up hurting others.

Something that was designed to aid people to get out riding as evolved into something else entirely.
 
d8mok said:
The key point is that you had the required licence and I’d assume appropriate insurance too. I’ve no issue with people riding a road legal Ebike that does 70mph as long as it’s licensed and they ride within the law (almost within as there’s a time and place for fun)

Regardless of HP , when a user can reach speeds of 30-50mph in a short space , with no training or testing it’s a recipe for disaster. Once the worst happens they don’t have the appropriate insurance and likely will end up hurting others.

Something that was designed to aid people to get out riding as evolved into something else entirely.
Click to expand...
License and insurance are not required here for 2HP mopeds up to 30mph. They're basically the province of drunks who've lost their license to drive.
 
Retrorockit said:
License and insurance are not required here for 2HP mopeds up to 30mph. They're basically the province of drunks who've lost their license to drive.
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The 'province of drunks who've lost their licence to drive': that sounds like a good reason why licences and insurance should be required.

On another note, in London, ebike accidents are on the rise: https://www.met.police.uk/foi-ai/me...s-involving-e-bikes-electric-bikes-2018-2022/ (click download at the bottom for figures). But, arguably, fires are a bigger problem: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/lon...rise-number-lithium-ion-battery-b1090877.html.
 
The data provided is potentially inaccurate as e-bikes are not a recognised form for transport and incidents involving e-bikes might be under-reported by the public
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Also it doesn't select between E-bikes (pedalec) an E-motorbikes (aka the illegal ones)
 
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