sunersoonerJul 31, 2023
jimray

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.

Jul 30, 2023 at 1:41pmIvory for iOS
Show threadSam GrossJul 30, 2023
@jimray I loved that they were only able to find TWO deaths. Like… how many people have died in an SUV this year?
Show threadjimrayJul 30, 2023
@SamTheGeek over 40,000 people were killed in car crashes last year so it’s vital we regulate … e-bikes.
Show threadConcerned CitizenJul 30, 2023
@jimray will someone please think about the pedestrians.
Show threadAviva GaryJul 30, 2023
@jimray Brilliant!
Show threadLiz Jul 30, 2023
@jimray They only wrote about the injury and death from last week. I live in Encinitas and e-bikes have been a problem since 2020. We have tried to get separated bike lanes as we have a huge road/tri biking community, but it hasn't happened. Everyone here comments on how many kids are riding around on the e-bikes and the near misses (mostly because kids don't know the rules). Maybe the city and other cities will be prompted to make it safe to ride for everyone. Super sad story.
Show threadFlat Pluto SocietyJul 30, 2023
@kricket56 @jimray The problem with ebikes here in Philly is that people ride them exactly like they ride regular bikes (running stop signs and red lights, riding on sidewalks when convenient, etc), but they do that at like twice the speed that someone would ride a regular bicycle in the same environment. Ebikes are great, but the way people use them in cities, they're more comparable to motorcycles than bicycles.
Show threadLiz Jul 30, 2023
@flatplutosociety @jimray I totally agree, they need to follow the rules, especially if they are riding as fast as traffic. And as the article stated, some folks are removing the max speed controls. Does anyone have a link to the NYT article?
Show threadjimrayJul 31, 2023

@kricket56 @flatplutosociety

Thank you for sharing your perspective as a local.

Here’s a (gift) link to the story: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/29/health/ebikes-safety-teens.html?unlocked_article_code=bFWOOQSeUuz4VBY1BLfmUDFH7ELybnqTCPxoITvbfmmBYAuTd7pL-FVAwSk3NswiBKjPL9I7eQUg4-qQCqrZ5e2qGc6xj6JyrpKWrW0VbYfWDBz0TWugDABzvVb45XJ_0udDtAqI7yJOkdC7fI263cOi_Gwqm1NV5Sww_72NFMXc83rdO3gxpG614IRaJDzNDIwdIJnnkCez6mc4WidbrKXzNPCiO9JEjEKpv1rSVMo4K-D4Ojr8XbpVFOGGvlkKfAfvALbTSAVOOrYNy977O2X3TIERwny1UMdQbBQYEKyb654k2RCfB9AxxXZgZ1GrVKYsq9S14yGhURQE&smid=url-share

‘A Dangerous Combination’: Teenagers’ Accidents Expose E-Bike Risks

The e-bike industry is booming, but many vehicles are not legal for teenagers, and accidents are on the rise.

The New York Times
Show threadYmaJul 30, 2023
@jimray i hear the only way to protect yourself from those bike terrorists is to finally double the width of the SUV, not just the length. Of course you need to make streets double the size, but safety for motorists must come first.
Show threadBrent, in a jarJul 30, 2023
@yma
"Suddenly ahead of me
Across the mountainside
A gleaming alloy air car
Shoots towards me, two lanes wide"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjjNvjURS-s
@jimray
Rush - Red Barchetta (Live (1981/Canada)

YouTube
Show threadOttoJul 30, 2023
@yma @jimray 12 yards long, 2 lanes wide, 65 tons of American Pride!
Canyonero!
Show threadMichael ☕️Jul 31, 2023
@yma @jimray lol. Should have changed the brand to "Jeeeep."
Show threadFlat Pluto SocietyJul 30, 2023
@jimray The number of urban problems that would be solved by a robust (and enforced!) network of bike lanes is ridiculous.
Show threadkevinschaperJul 30, 2023
@flatplutosociety @jimray enforcing the creation of bike lanes is critical!
Show threadFlat Pluto SocietyJul 30, 2023
@kevinschaper @jimray They're effectively just parking lanes here in Philly.
Show threadFerrichromeJul 31, 2023
@flatplutosociety @jimray Well, obviously we need more robust SUVs than we have now. How else will we protect ourselves from bikes that weigh *checks notes* 1/3rd my body weight?
Show threadFlat Pluto SocietyJul 31, 2023
@Ferrichrome @jimray That's why I'm on the waiting list for this bad boy.
Show threadPaul ChernoffJul 30, 2023
@jimray @lisamelton In practice are these lanes reserved for bicycles and e-bides or are they also used by pedestrians and joggers? I am hoping the answer is bikers.
Show threadBart Veldhuizen 🚀Jul 31, 2023
@paulc @jimray @lisamelton they’re for bikes/e-bikes only, but not for high speed pedelecs.
Show threadLeonardo Di OttioAug 1, 2023

@paulc @jimray @lisamelton That’s in Amsterdam and, just like cyclists can be fined for riding on sidewalks, pedestrians can be fined for walking on cycle lanes.

Also, unless they want to get injured, pedestrians better stay the hell out of cycle lanes in Amsterdam.

Show threadJeremy HerveJul 30, 2023

@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!

Show threadjimrayJul 30, 2023
@jeremy yeah the e-mopeds are gonna pretty much ruin things for everyone
Show threadraytracedJul 30, 2023
@jimray @jeremy you probably already know about this, but thought i’d put it here https://bikesnobnyc.com/2023/07/28/smell-the-glove/
Smell The Glove

For years now, bike advocates have pinned all their hopes on the e-bike. It was going to replace car trips. It was going to flatten the hills, annihilate the barriers to entry that keep people from…

Bike Snob NYC
Show threadjimrayJul 30, 2023
@raytraced ungh, yeah, I hear the mopeds are basically making bike lanes unusable in NYC.
Show threadraytracedJul 31, 2023
@jimray e-bikes too. might need to read a bit further down for that discussion. we on the coasts are basically living the deadwood experience: no law at all.
Show threadMarjorieRJul 31, 2023
@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.
Show threadTom WatsonJul 30, 2023
@jimray 😅💀
Show threadjimrayJul 30, 2023
@twatson please respect the American way of life during this difficult time, Tom
Show threadTom WatsonJul 31, 2023
@jimray land of the free.
Show threadTim LavoieJul 30, 2023
@jimray Ugh, how can I boost this twice?
Show threadEyes Wide OpenJul 31, 2023
@jimray honestly. As somebody that has grown up biking since age 4. I don’t like e-bikes on the bike lane. They move quick and press non-e-bikes to the side. It’s honestly caused a decent amount of danger in my day to day commute and has made me and my partner both feel like our bike lanes are being invaded. It’s been unpleasant. We need another option here than ending up with e-bikes claiming the bike lines. Though I’m not sure what it is.
Show threadAndrew PriceJul 31, 2023
@WideEyes @jimray
Lower the maximum electric assist speed? Here in Germany it is fixed at 25 km/h, which sometimes results in aggressive behaviour in bike lanes from individuals who without the assist would probably have difficulty in maintaining much more than 12-15 km/h.
Show threadEyes Wide OpenJul 31, 2023
@jimray ps. It’s not really the teens that cause the most e-bike problems. It’s mostly middle aged and older people that seem to dominate the bike lanes with gusto and little care for others.
Show threadRob AbramJul 31, 2023
@WideEyes @jimray Ah yes - people who would otherwise be bimbling along at about 12 km/h, but are now clinging to the handlebars of their €3000 e-bikes like grim death as they blast along at 25 km/h, with terror in their eyes…
Show threadNeonJul 31, 2023
@jimray Brits have strong opinions based on nothing (Frankie Boyle)
Show threadDatenegassie ❌Jul 31, 2023
@jimray In case any Americans are wondering why we give (e-)bikes their own lanes instead of banning them despite the danger, it's because banning won't work. The only way to defeat a bad guy with an e-bike is a good guy with an e-bike.
Show threadUrsidinoj/The BjornsdottirsJul 31, 2023
@jimray e
Show threadIrinaJul 31, 2023
@jimray Haarlem? Or else Ljouwert/Leeuwarden.
Show threadDragonJul 31, 2023
@jimray they do need a little bit of regulation around QC for the batteries but otherwise e-bikes seem sensible
Show threadThe Lone Apple 🍎Jul 31, 2023
@jimray Here in NYC I have no problem with any bike (e or otherwise) that obeys the rules and doesn't act like every minute they're on that thing is some version of the Tour de France. Don't go the wrong way on a one way street. Don't go through stop signs and lights. Don't think the pedestrian has to leap out of your way because you want to go full speed all the time.
Show threadAlister BulmanJul 31, 2023
@jimray Clap, Clap, Clap. Every minute, another German performance car gets it's wing mirror ripped off from a cyclist that was riding too close in an LTN. Please - Think of the BMW drivers.
Show threadSoyJul 31, 2023
@jimray I don't get how people are not jealous of our bike infrastructure and the freedom it gives people. Imagine searching for a parking space.
Show threadCraig FroehleJul 31, 2023
@jimray Everyone is talking about ecyclist injuries, but nobody is worried about the real tragedy: cars getting scratched. Broken bones heal, but that paint doesn't touch up itself.
Show threadjimrayJul 31, 2023
@cra1g thank you for bringing attention to this vital and important issue. Is there a ribbon I can add to my avatar?
Show threadCraig FroehleJul 31, 2023
@jimray No, but I have some car magnets on order.
Show threadVulcanTourist [MOVED]Jul 31, 2023

@jimray

Nope, I sense no sarcasm at all here.

Show threadPatrick LewisJul 31, 2023
@jimray Cars, of course, are safe. Pedestrians are at risk
Show threadIljitsch van BeijnumAug 1, 2023
@jimray The trouble is that motorized stuff on bicycle paths is also highly problematic. There are times that I rather ride my (non-electric) bike alongside cars rather than on the wild west that bicycle paths in the Netherlands can be. At least for driving a car you have to show you know the traffic rules. No such requirement for people that are allowed to go on bicycle paths.
Show threadjimrayAug 1, 2023
@iljitsch yeah in my ideal world electric bikes are mostly limited to peddle assist with a top speed of 20mph. That ideal world also includes heavily taxing cars above a certain size and weight, gasoline at $6/gal, rapidly expanded transit options, etc.
Show threadIljitsch van BeijnumAug 1, 2023
@jimray Here in NL peddle assist for regular electric bikes must be limited to 25 km/h but that is often/easily disabled. And even at that speed carelessness from other road users, such as turning left without looking or a hand signal, gets pretty dangerous while at relaxed non-electric speeds it’s easier to handle that.