Views on electric bikes

[Allen]

Some people don't want them on the roads

[JB White]

When I saw such an incident I reported it immediately. Nobody came to stop it.
In haste I think I forgot to put a postage stamp on the envelope.

[Oyaji]

I don't like the proliferation of e-bikes on the road and I dislike the e-scooters even more. Silent but deadly (SBD); they need to be outlawed on public streets and highways. They are a hazard not only unto themselves but to operators of motor vehicles as well. Many of them exceed speed limits on residential streets and few obey driving laws. Outlaw them I say or restrict their usage to private property. They are just plain dangerous and serious accidents waiting to happen.

[Major Tom]

I agree with Oyaji. Sooner or later those riding them will have an 'accident'.

[Allen]

I agree with Oyaji. Sooner or later those riding them will have an 'accident'.

And guess who will be sued.

[lyman]

customer I had up in NOVA had one, and so did his son,

he also had a hot rod BMW in the garage,

he said it was easier to use the Ebike to get to the store for a 6pk etc than getting in the car and driving the 2-4 miles to the store,

[Johnny P]

In our county seat the CofC had a big drive to revitalize the downtown area, and one of the things they brought in was electric scooters. They finally caused enough complaints that the city told the company leasing then to come pick them up.

[JB White]

Chicago has rental bikes and e-scooter stations everywhere. Charge card access and go.
They pass on the right and use the motorized left turn lanes. I witnessed them on highways almost being run over….at night!
To get though heavy traffic they race down the sidewalk, so pedestrians beware.
When done, they leave them wherever they’re at. Takes days for the trucks to pick them up using trackers. Meanwhile the collection on the corner of lawn keeps getting larger.

The whole concept is about “going green” while getting kickback from the vendors. Good luck doing something which might hinder the revenue generator.

And yes, they are classified as pedestrians. If they get hit or run into you…. Make sure you’ve got enough insurance.

[Allen]

customer I had up in NOVA had one, and so did his son,

he also had a hot rod BMW in the garage,

he said it was easier to use the Ebike to get to the store for a 6pk etc than getting in the car and driving the 2-4 miles to the store,
Like JB said, "they sometimes drive on the side walks". When they do this, don't stop for traffic by riding between lanes, not stopping for red lights nor stop signs, I imagine you can get somewhere quicker than by car.

[JB White]

Their ambulance doesn’t need to stop for traffic lights.

[jon_norstog]

I have made two of them. My wife wouldn't ride any of the other bikes I bought or made for her and she asked me to make her an electric. She rode it a few times. I made one for myself - it is a tractor/trailer rig. I have pulled loads close to half a ton with it. Mostly I use it to haul fall leaves for compost in my garden. It could easily tow a canoe or small motorboat, or even a light camper trailer. The original box on the trailer was 30 cubic feet. That's over a yard! I'm not sure what a cubic foot of wet leaves weighs, but pick up a forkful of them and you'll get the picture.

55176

55177


jn

[JB White]

Not practical for me, but I certainly do have an appreciation for your ingenuity.
In the long run it’s less costly than raising a fleet of kids to do the yard work someday.

[Allen]

I'm a little surprised you have enough traction from that thin bike tire to pull anything but yeah, good work. You may want to consider a trike next--two wheels for traction plus more room for a larger motor and batteries.

[jon_norstog]

Allen, I had some MOS WTB Mutano tires, 26" x 2.4" and they grip pretty well. The hard part is getting started, 'cause the motor doesn't kick in until a sensor at the back wheel picks up motion. A trike with 3" tires would definitely be nice if you are pulling heavier loads, say over 1/2 ton. Hauling loads DOES cut into the range - could do four-five loads involving a 1-1 1/2 mile distance and some up-and-down.

The wheelchair wheels are way stronger than their rating,


jn

[JohnMOhio]

Nice work there Jon. The design is simple yet effective.

[Phloating Phlasher]

When you say "Made", is it a conversion/addition to an existing bike or something else?

[jon_norstog]

The one for my wife i modified a Nishiki mixte frame for the battery, wiring and V-brakes. The "Fresno Stretch" utility bike I made up from chrome-moly bicycle tubing.

https://thursdaybicycles.com/bicycle_frames/products.html

I make bicycles. Wotthehell!! Why not??


jn

[Phloating Phlasher]

Sweet!

[Merc]

Here in PA, we have a series of old abandoned railroad tracks that have been converted to bike trails and in fact, they are known as Rails to Trails. The surface is most commonly finely crushed limestone and some are asphalt. It is now possible to travel by bike from Pittsburgh to Washington DC on a bike trail that?s known as the Great Allegheny Passage. I?ve been an E Bike owner for about 4 years and use the Passage for short trips quite often. We often bike on paved trails in Ohio, West Virginia and Virginia. I don?t agree with riding an E Bike on heavily congested roads unless there is a dedicated bike lane. Most E Bikes top speeds are 20 to 30 MPH and I don?t think they are safe at those speeds. The speed limit on the trail we use is 15 MPH. They are safe if driven responsibly on a trail.

[lyman]

Merc,

there are several folks making conversions for bikes, that will let them work on existing rail lines

basically a side car type thing, remove the front tire, attach the bike via the forks, and the rear tire sits on the rail, the front straps to the extension that goes to the other rail, and off you go

it will hold your backpack etc as well,