The Times is right — e-bikes are a scourge and we must do everything we can to protect our fragile SUV-driving elites from these teen terrors. I propose we construct a nationwide network of separated e-bike enclosures to segregate these monsters from god-fearing motorists.

I’ve attached one such example from a European petrostate that has spent years valiantly protecting cars from the ravages of cycling. With work, we may be able to reduce the number of cyclist-on-motorist deaths to zero.

@jimray The article is really badly written, and focuses on all the wrong things.

I understood it a bit better after reading the comments and learning about "Sur-Ron", a brand of "electric bikes". Those are clearly motorbikes, that are not allowed on bike lanes so better bike infrastructure wouldn't help there I'm afraid.
If those motorbikes are indeed sold to young teens as regular bikes in the US, I can understand some of the concerns in the article. Such motorbikes should require a license, just like mopeds.

But then the article should really make that point! Instead they conflate e-bikes with electric motorbikes, and make no point at all!

1.Yes, we need better bike infrastructure everywhere.
2.Yes, the US may need better laws to clearly categorize and regulate the use of electric motorbikes.

There, you had the chance to write 2 good articles instead of one shitty one!

@jeremy @jimray e-bikes (which don't have to licensed or insured) seem a lot less safe by design in the USA than in UK and the EU.
We are limited to 15 mph assisted, though like any bike you can still go faster by pedalling and downhill) and you need to be pedalling to get that assistance. They are also limited to 250 W continuous.
We still get problems with riders tampering with the controls to up this and with kids borrowing or stealing electric motorbikes and getting themselves killed.