Main issue for me is that this gives cops a valid reason to stop and harass cyclists.
I do not live in an urban area, it’s a suburban sprawl, and I already get stopped and harassed by the cops for biking on roads. I’m properly lit up and cautious.
They haven’t done anything yet, because they can’t, but that doesn’t stop them or the drivers from reporting me either.
Only e-cyclists
Just for your information how this is done here in the EU:
- There is a limit on 2050 W max. power and 25km/h max speed
- in most countries it is “pedal assist only”, so those throttles are banned
- in this case eBikes are classified as normal bicycles
- there is a class of faster bicycles @ 45km/h which require a licence and insurance
That is not perfect, but it kind of does work. That way police can keep those DIY electric motorcycles from our street, but everybody can ride eBikes.
2050 W
250W, 2kW would be nice though.
I gotta say, I love my Copenhagen wheel (although I told it its a 20" wheel, even though its a 700c, so the motor assists longer- really cranking it, u can get to almost that 45kph.
My other rides a cake OSA. I think im just getting away with it because no one knows wtf it is (Technically my state wants sub 50 cc mopeds registered and requires a liscence, but town just refuses to.) Been thinking about doing the 88kmh conversion on it. (Just a software upgrade between the motorcycle and bike models)
Getting rid of the three class system was a galaxy brain move, lol.
Have fun with emotos on shared use trails, instead of gentle class I-3 bikes doing 15.
Are there not already laws about being reckless in public areas? Why are we not enforcing those? Why do we need new specific ones about bikes?
Not that I’m arguing the merits of your argument. But there is a ton of degens from upstate who are buying super powerful ones from the various cheap China sites. And are a legit menace in New Jersey.
I think this regulation wouldn’t even be considered if there wasn’t people going 60 in a 25 around there.
Again you’re correct that they are obviously not enforcing laws already on the book. But I think a large portion of the pedestrian population are in support of this cause of those idiots.
super powerful ones from the various cheap China sites
Those aren’t even ebikes in most states. There are already laws limiting the max speed and power an ebike can have, these are just electric mopeds or motorcycles with pedals.
I mean to be fair these aren’t new devices and new modes of transportation and devices often require new laws specific to those devices. Well yes the laws on the books are important they may not cover all aspects of that.
Creating rules for Formula 1 cars that also apply to a Toyota Corolla might not be the best idea.
Am I missing something, or did Murphy sign this on his last day in office?
Murphy pointed to several recent fatal crashes involving e-bikes as the motivation behind the law. He also pointed to a variety of cases that involved people using shoes to walk places, and encouraged the committee explore similar insurance and licensure to use shoes.
The committee attempted to explain that the most prominent commonality in those crashes was cars, but he had already stuffed his fingers in his ears.
were those crashes involving real e-bikes or were they motorcycles pretending to be e-bikes?
I’m not even required to insure my motorcycle, these laws are a bullshit money grab
Where do you live that you’re not required to insure a motorcycle??? You should probably be required to insure it.
Florida lol
Of course, fucking Florida.
Washington also doesn’t require it
It’s New Jersey for anyone wondering. Really didn’t expect them of all places to do it.
A ebike is a motor vehicle. Most of them exceed the power output of motorcycle and scooters.
Manufacturers that comply with the class 1/2/3 classifications mostly voluntarily limit ebike power to 750W. I don’t know if there are laws regulating ebike power output - the existing laws state limits on motor-assisted speed, not power, with caps at 20mph for class 1 & 2, and 28mph for class 3. But I see that California is working on mandating a 750W max.
In reply you talked about ebikes exceeding 1650W, and going 150mph. Those are not legal ebikes. Those are the e-motos that others in this thread are talking about - vehicles that are regulated like motorcycles in most US states. They have pedals so they can pass as ebikes, and states haven’t really figured out enforcement yet. The vehicles that that people in this thread are concerned should not require licensing and insurance are proper ebikes, which are limited to 20 or 28mph (or 15mph in NYC).
Fucking eMotos are a scourge on this Earth. Along with ignorant politicians.
So are cars my dude.
Also true.
Good. More please.
These things belong on the roads, not our trails.
With them being as fast and dangerous as other vehicles that have these requirements for decades, it is just a consequential move.
