Mastodawn

ChookMother 🇦🇺🦘Jun 27, 2023

@clive What's the weather like in Denver?

Lucy B Jun 27, 2023

@anne_twain @clive why are you concerned about the weather? If it rains then wear a raincoat, it's far more practical than using your car as a coat.

Most weather concerns about cycling are actually infrastructure problems. Many countries with rain, wind, ice and snow manage to have plenty of cyclists just fine with the right infra.

Study after study has shown that what actually puts people off cycling are motor vehicles.

Clive Thompson Jun 28, 2023

@linuxlucy @anne_twain

I cycle year-round in NYC, though we don't in practice have a ton of super-snowy days

Even with snow, though, you're quite right @linuxlucy that infrastructure -- and the maintenance thereof -- makes all the difference

If there's a big dump of snow in NYC but it's quickly ploughed, I can easily cycle it

Robin

@clive @linuxlucy @anne_twain NYC is having serious issues with fires started by the batteries used for e-bikes (free link). https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/21/nyregion/e-bike-lithium-battery-fires-nyc.html?unlocked_article_code=wo5yuiLnzIs3SVe1I5hAWhJMzFghMnaJ-KMsZ244U69GnDEd1IDY29BlbcUbFmEYmi6VRev7ylxT3aOZBCiP7GQiWAr3a2VEERY0ot7Ue0EpBOQuoYR_GBSfN8HkHxadN0bprYInPCCyP3ZbQL8qnPhIx0pmPiSXlh2tZZkvHccNdyL-JMeYX2J0LGJYTOhxCA6M9BKm1X98OpP510SNoueA-xKpqSt5XyJWZLxs9ymcX6CNC4CyBkqoLLsc52js0KwHjDE0a0uuF2DELSlMRzYAF3wKTYNiveo7b2KsBTyiCPEstHQsSeXYTZ0duugJ16n_pGYtUGhjI62FUITCvY3tOs9k4q2tQw2GMA&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

How E-Bike Battery Fires Became a Deadly Crisis in New York City

City leaders are racing to regulate battery-powered mobility devices, which have been the source of over 100 fires so far this year.

The New York Times

@Chimaera @clive @anne_twain that's horrible and I would say that more regulation and enforcement is needed (I'm only guessing at the underlying causes, but many other countries don't have this issue).

It's worth putting it into context though, New York also has serious issues with air pollution, climate change and motor vehicles, which are responsible for far more deaths. Getting more cycles, of all types, onto the roads now will provide a far greater overall benefit.

@linuxlucy @clive @anne_twain I agree with you completely. I just worry about the victims of these fires which seem to result from a lack of regulations/enforcement. It will need to be addressed. It could lead some people to be afraid to purchase one.

@linuxlucy @clive @anne_twain it’s happening in London as well

@Chimaera @clive @anne_twain yes, but I'm not sure how this relates to the Denver scheme. Bringing up the issue of illegal ebikes (which is usually what these things are) now seems more like scaremongering rather than a good faith discussion 🤔

@linuxlucy @clive @anne_twain you have people responding here from all parts of the world. Paris is mentioned in other comments. I believe the person who posted this lives in NYC. And I do as well. Why would you jump to accusing me of bringing this up in bad faith? It’s an issue that’s relevant to my life and my city and the city of the person who began this discussion.

@Chimaera @clive @anne_twain because the OP was talking about Denver and because whenever increasing cycling is talked about there's an overwhelming amount of "whataboutery" in response, by people intent on trolling and who otherwise don't give a shit about saving lives.

We have an increasing number of ebikes in my city too, some are dangerous, but none are as dangerous as cars, so they should be welcomed IMO.

@linuxlucy @clive @anne_twain The building fire in that photo (four people died) I shared in my previous post happened in my neighborhood. My city council rep Marte (just re-elected) is proposing a bill to offer a city funded trade-in program to get these batteries off the streets. And my senator Gillibrand is proposing federal funding to install charging stations in NYCHA housing (to get these chargers out of the apartments). https://pix11.com/news/politics/pixonpolitics/on-the-record-city-councilman-chris-marte-talks-e-bike-fires/ #ebikes

On the Record: City Councilman Chris Marte talks e-bike fires

NEW YORK (PIX11) – Earlier this week, another fire caused by an exploding e-bike battery claimed the lives of four New Yorkers. The fire started just after midnight Tuesday at an e-bike shop on the Lower East Side. It spread quickly to the apartments above. Four people were killed and two more were critically injured. […]

PIX11

jnbhlr Jun 28, 2023

@Chimaera @linuxlucy @clive @anne_twain I would be interested in data regarding paris as it's inside the eu where I live and quite often that enormous burocreacy is actually working to better peoples lives, so my guess would be that regulation here is better. Illegal stuff can still be used obviously.

ChookMother 🇦🇺🦘Jun 28, 2023

@linuxlucy @Chimaera @clive Could I please not be tagged in this conversation? I don't ride a bicycle and I live in Australia. Ta.

@anne_twain sorry! I'm going to block them shortly if they continue, and would recommend you do the same if they don't listen

@linuxlucy @anne_twain I’ll save you the effort

@[email protected] @[email protected] both of you joined in 11/22 and brought that Twitter vibe with you 🙃

ChookMother 🇦🇺🦘Jun 28, 2023

@linuxlucy Thank you.

Christopher Schmidt Jun 28, 2023

@Chimaera @clive @linuxlucy @anne_twain NYC's ebike battery problem is somewhat of a new york specific problem, driven by heavy use of no-name, low-quality batteries by low-income delivery workers. Each of the deaths is a tragedy, but there's very little evidence of significant fire risk from batteries from reputable consumer brands.

Ebike subsidies ensure that consumers can afford to purchase more reputable bikes, rather than cheap, low-quality alternatives.

@crschmidt that's a far more eloquent response than mine. Thank you 😊