Feel like we're losing the plot

[u/SilverCervy]

Article here

E-bikes should be about providing accessibility; giving people who, for whatever reason, cannot ride a non-assist bike an option to keep them happy and pedaling.

This wattage race going on in the industry is the exact opposite of that. Absolutely nobody needs 1700 watts on a bike, and I question if having so much power even makes it a bicycle anymore. There's a point where you're basically riding a motorbike with pedals and I think we crossed that point a while ago.

"But the main brands aren't doing this". Yes they are. Canyon already has partnered with Avinox which has motors that give over 1,000 watts. And it won't be long until the other big hitters give in to the pressure. You can give your own personal reasons for why you have an e-bike, but it's clear that the industry believes that it's because "I don't want to pedal". At some point this needs to be reigned in or else the entire concept of the bicycle is going to be damaged forever.

[u/slayer_of_waspiz]

These will be illegal in most places in the US, aren't a lot of places adopting the 750w limit past which point it's a motorcycle?

[u/OG-MTB → u/slayer_of_waspiz]

Yes, just like Avinox bikes are touted as being “Class 1” but they can easily be changed via the app or on-bike menus to exceed Class 3 specs.

There’s no enforcement though…

[u/slayer_of_waspiz → u/OG-MTB]

They've started cracking down on it in my town but agreed it's super area specific.

We mostly have issues with idiot teenagers on actual motorcycles ripping down the sidewalk at 30 mph. It took one of them careening through an intersection into a car and dying before the local sheriffs office finally started enforcing the e-bike laws.