E-Bikes thoughts, comments?

[Eden]

I don't think that anyone is proposing banning E-bikes entirely… the larger question is whether or not they should be considered to be bicycles, motor scooters or motorcycles - which would make the rules governing them different. To determine that I would think you'd have to look at several factors - one of the bigger ones being the speed that the cycle can obtain. Here there are differences governing the different vehicles in this state, but it is getting *confusing* with all of the different choices (motor scooter, moped, electric personal mobility device…, motorized foot scooter ,e-bike)

bicycles: do not need a drivers license, can use roads, can use MUPs, can use bicycle lanes, can use sidewalks if not specifically prohibited

e-bike: do not need a driver's license, can use roads, can use MUPs *if* not specifically prohibited, can use bicycle lanes, are NOT allowed on sidewalks

motor scooter/moped - do need a driver's license and registration, do not need a motorcycle endorsement, can NOT use MUPs or bicycle lanes, must be limited to less than 30mph

I'd guess there are lots of different e-bikes out there - some are probably closer to regular bikes, some probably closer to mopeds.

A few years ago my husband used to share part of his commute with a co-worker on an e-bike (who being an engineer did a lot of fiddling and customizing). His e-bike still wasn't a match for the real bike. My hubby would draft him on the flats (well… goad the e-bike rider to try to drop him, thereby using up much of his electrical store ) and then bust him up the hills where the bike, being big and heavy, even if partially powered, couldn't match the real bike. OTOH I was climbing a rather steep hill the other day when a rather large fellow went zipping by me not even breathing hard… yup e-bike. Personally I have no use for them. I'm one of those people who feels like it's not worth the time if there's not some sweat and suffering that goes into it… for me it's exercise and it shouldn't be easy.