jimrayJul 30, 2023

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.

Show threadIljitsch van Beijnum
@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.
Aug 1, 2023 at 2:25pmWeb
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.