Comment on Someone gets killed by a car, so they restrict e-bikes.

• QuaternionsRock@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  I have a Class 3 (28mph), it’s actually not too bad. That assumes the brakes are well-maintained, though, and as we know there are no inspections for e-bikes. I’ve seen some terrifyingly bad brakes on normal bicycles, so I can’t imagine what some people’s e-bikes look like.

  It should be mandatory for Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes to have hydraulic disc brakes imo. I have mechanical disc brakes, and I have to tighten them at least once a month. It seems unwise to trust that the average person would do that. Rim brakes are right out; they have nowhere near enough braking power for the speed and weight of most e-bikes.

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  • Treczoks@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    So, are you insured in case you run someone over?

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• QueriesQueried@sh.itjust.works ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Most people that do longer rides would be fine with that. On downhill sections you can hit that easily enough, and there’s wind too. It’s definitely fast, but it’s fine enough. It doesn’t matter what you’re driving or riding, you always drive to the conditions anyways.

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  • Treczoks@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    Yes, you can easily get that fast, but can you also brake fast and reliably enough, too, so humanity is safe around you?

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    • QueriesQueried@sh.itjust.works ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      The braking characteristics are not all that different from a normal bike to an ebike, provided they weren’t deliberately ignored. Ebikes having a lower centre of gravity also helps this. If you want to whine about ebikes going 28m/h, you should also be complaining about 80% of the cyclists out there.

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      • Treczoks@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

        The braking characteristics are not all that different from a normal bike to an ebike

        That’s the point. That’s what makes them dangerous.

        And: If cyclists only did 28 meters per hour, they would actually be quite safe :-)

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• njordomir@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  I ride a class 3 and 30mph is not that bad. I regularly hit that coming down hills, even on a non-ebike. It does require your attention to be on the road and it would hurt if you wiped out. My fastest ever was 44mph

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  • Treczoks@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    What is a “class 3”? Is that an American classification?

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    • njordomir@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      Its largely by state here in the US, but it is kind of staring to converge on similar guidelines.

      In Colorado

      Class 1: The electric motor provides assistance only while the rider is pedaling and stops assisting at 20 mph.

      Class 2: The electric motor can propel the bike without pedaling, but stops assisting at 20 mph.

      Class 3: The electric motor provides assistance only while the rider is pedaling and stops assisting at 28 mph.

      All must be less than 750 watts, but it doesn’t specify how that is measured. Also, these rules aren’t reliably enforced.

      My city just has a 20mph limit on urban trails and tolerates ebikes that don’t do stupid stuff and ring their bell for peds.

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      • Treczoks@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

        Thanks. How far does it take you to brake down from top speed to standstill?

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• Blackmist@feddit.uk ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Honestly the motor should be cutting off well before that speed.

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  • Treczoks@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    Yes. Way before that.

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