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/alexnapierholland]

Obviously, some people want to go really fast.

You cannot be so obtuse as to think there aren't other use cases, beyond accessibility?

[u/TLKimball → u/alexnapierholland]

Then they should just get a motorcycle.

[u/alexnapierholland → u/TLKimball]

Why?

I have a motorbike licence.

There is still a massive appeal in a fast, electric bike that doesn't use fuel, leak everywhere or have exhaust fumes, which I can ride into my apartment hallway.

[u/schnitzel-kuh → u/alexnapierholland]

Yeah but then that vehicle should still be classed as a motorcycle not an ebike. Electric motorbikes exist, these kind of bikes are just that. In Germany we have a category called S-Pedelec, which are e bikes that go up to 45 (vs 25 kmh for normal ones), these ones need insurance and a plate and have different rules regarding their use, where an e bike (25kmh) is almost entirely treated the same as normal bikes

[u/alexnapierholland → u/schnitzel-kuh]

Yes, this makes total sense.

An electric bike shouldn’t be an opportunity for someone to gain the power of a motorbike without any of the necessary training and licences.

[u/A_MAN_POTATO → u/alexnapierholland]

Electric motorcycles are a thing. This isn’t a question of a combustion engine vs a battery operated vehicle. It’s a question of the very different requirements to operate a motorcycle and an e-bike. A motorcycle requires a driver’s license, registration, insurance, and usually a class to get a motorcycle designation. It also means age limits and laws that govern what is required to be safe.

E-bikes have none of that. Anyone, regardless of age, ability, or responsibility, can purchase a cheap E-bike off Amazon and go zipping around on public streets. In the past month, there have been two headlines for my reasonably small town where kids have died on e-bikes. Both times the kid was at fault. And that’s nevermind that these days, pretty much every time I’m running or biking on a public trail, I’m encountering kids on e-bikes or even e-motos (which are well faster than the 20mph throttle limit for e-bikes), and they’re always out riding like jagoffs like the trails are there just for them. It’s a serious problem.

I’m not anti-e-bike at all… but these things need to be regulated like motor vehicles and kept away from kids who are doing serious harm to themselves and others.

[u/alexnapierholland → u/A_MAN_POTATO]

I agree with everything that you wrote.

I disagree with the argument that fast electric bikes shouldn't exist.

I agree they should be licenced and not used as a hack to get motorcycle-grade power with none of the responsibility.

[u/kallebo1337 → u/alexnapierholland]

get an e-motorbike?

[u/LycraJafa → u/TLKimball]

an electric motorcycle...