The problem with e-bikes and mopeds is that their "top speed" is determined by...the rider's weight.
My spouse's old moped was rated for a certain speed - based on bearing a rider weighing nearly twice as much as she did. It could go twice as fast with her on it.
I think modern ones can almost reach freeway speeds - with an unlicensed rider operating it.
Bay Area teens are facing more e-bike injuries
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/e-bike-crash-injury-21331489.php
@dancingtreefrog
There are already laws in every state governing the top speed of e-bikes. The e-bikes are required to have speed limiters that cut off the motor at 20mph. A person might be able to pedal the bike faster than 20mph with their own legs (as with any bicycle), but they shouldn’t be getting any motor assist. I’ve owned three different e-bike models and they all had electronics that did this.
People circumventing this are making motorcycles (under current law).
@dancingtreefrog
The “problem with e-bikes” is not a problem with e-bikes, it is people that intentionally modify them to break the law (that already exists). We don’t need stricter regulations on e-bikes, we just need the current laws to be enforced.
Modifying an e-bike to use motor power above 20mph and then riding it above 20mph is illegally riding an unregistered motorcycle. If the rider doesn’t have a motorcycle license, that’s another law they’re breaking.
@neverbeaten I think one thing that works against enforcing e-bike laws is their mobility. They can readily go places that police vehicles enforcing laws cannot, making them easily able to escape and disappear.
Also, Hawaii requires no registration, so no license plate to identify them. Also, no license or training is required to operate one, so you can't trace riders, either.
Oh, well. I don't think 20mph is a safe speed for a regular bike, let alone an e-bike. Guess I'm old!
David W. Jones
neverbeaten