They aren't limited to conventional biking speed. The rental bikes are close but they're still significantly faster than any human-powered vehicle on the bike path.
A buddy of mine bought a Super73 which has speed limiting modes but operates purely on the honor system. In the "unlimited" mode it can do 28mph, without pedaling. In the "limited" mode it can still do 20, which is faster than most people are capable of for any extended period of time without a power assist.
A Super 73 weighs 73lbs. That's double a regular bike. Moving at 2-4x the speed. Sure the rider is more than that but e-bike numbers are a lot closer to mopeds than bicycles.
> They aren't limited to conventional biking speed.
Partially repeating my comment from another sub-thread here:
In Europe, the speed at which an ebike motor may assist one is limited to 25 km/h (~ 15.5 mph):
> pedal cycles with pedal assistance which are equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having
> a maximum continuous rated power of less than or equal to 250 W, where the output of the motor
> is cut off when the cyclist stops pedalling and is otherwise progressively reduced and finally
> cut off before the vehicle speed reaches 25 km/h;
-- REGULATION (EU) No 168/2013, Article 2, §2 (h)
There are faster pedelecs, but those need to be registered and have insurance, same as any lightweight motorbike needs to have since like ever, most common are the ones <= 50cc as those are allowed with 14 or 16 years of age, and those are not allowed on bike-only roads or lanes.
Yes, legally they are limited. Here in the real world people are riding electric mopeds at nearly 30mph on bike paths anyway. Happens all the time. There are pedestrians walking in the bike path too. Someone is going to get hurt.
And people also ride motorbikes in bike lanes, even cars sometimes - so what's your point? Legal ebikes won't make this more dangerous, and people doing illegal stuff are always more likely to not care and endanger people.
I other than e-bikes I have never seen a motorcycle on a bike path. I'm not sure you know what I am talking about when I say bike path.
I am talking about a dedicated asphalt path that runs parallel to a road with parking and/or a curb or barrier between traffic and the bike path. Next to this path is a sidewalk for pedestrians, separated by grass. In some places the pedestrian and bicycle traffic merge. They are always separated from traffic. Sometimes they take routes that do not follow roads, such as through parks.
The road itself also has a bike lane which is striped between traffic and the parked cars. Cars and bicycles sometimes share this space, sometimes it is separated by a double white line or some cones. Considerate bicycle riders that want to go faster than is safe around pedestrians use this in-the-road bike lane rather than the bike path. This is where e-bikes that can go 28mph belong.
The only motorized vehicles I have ever seen on these bicycle paths are e-bikes. I have not seen full electric motorcycles (with plates, like a Zero) or any ICE vehicle, even a moped, on these paths.
> I am talking about a dedicated asphalt path that runs parallel to a road with parking and/or a curb or barrier between traffic and the bike path. Next to this path is a sidewalk for pedestrians, separated by grass. In some places the pedestrian and bicycle traffic merge. They are always separated from traffic. Sometimes they take routes that do not follow roads, such as through parks.
Yeah, I assumed both (separate bike road and just painted bike lane) and I've seen both.. And really even a car during rush hour, granted in a bit more rural area and the bike road wasn't _that_ much used, but still...
> The only motorized vehicles I have ever seen on these bicycle paths are e-bikes. I have not seen full electric motorcycles (with plates, like a Zero) or any ICE vehicle, even a moped, on these paths.
Yeah, but as, at least where I live (in a European country) they're limited to 25 km/h it's not a issue. As said, pedelecs, which can go faster, are a thing but need a plate, more safety equipment and insurance, and I see no reason why people then would more (or less) frequently use them illegally like existing motorized vehicles.
Using Super73 as an example is like complaining about how fast cars are and citing the Tesla Plaid or a Lamborghini Aventador as an everyday example.
Super73 bikes are premium bikes that start at $1500 and can easily top $5000 with accessories. The highend RX cost $3500 base, has 750w motor that boost up to 1200w with an almost 1000 watt hour battery.
Compare that to something reasonable like the RadPower Radmission that costs $999, has a 500w Motor that cuts out at 20 mph powered by a 500 watt hour battery.
Just like regular bikes, ebikes come in all varieties and banning them all or relegating them to car lanes because a few should be classified as Mopeds isn't the answer.
Some responsible ebike companies ship their top end bikes with VINs that require they be registered as Mopeds.
I'm equating a Super73 on the bike path to a Lamborghini on the road. They aren't the norm and you don't sink the whole field because you don't like one bad actor.
Many ebikes are completely unassuming and you don't even realize they are battery powered.
Why are you speaking in absolutes? High speed e-bikes are a problem on my local bike path. They should either go slower or ride in the road. How is this controversial? E-bikes are fine if people ride them responsibly. But terrorizing the locals isn’t a good way to drive adoption.
I actually think the Super73 is great, on the road. I’d like to see something even more capable. I’m hoping they lead to light e-scooters (like a small motorcycle, not the stand-up things) that can do 45+ MPH. That should probably require a license plate and motorcycle endorsement but I’m ok with that. America needs more two wheeled transport adoption.
What absolute are you accusing me of? You're the one who said all ebikes should use the road. My point is that not all ebikes are equal and relegating all of them to the road because of Super73 isn't the answer.
I’m pretty sure a super 73 IS illegal to ride on bike paths. At least where I live you aren’t allowed to ride a bike that has a thumb throttle. If it only has pedal assist, it’s a bike. If it had a thumb throttle, it’s a motorcycle.
A friend of mine also has a Super73 and it's basically an electric motorcycle.
I've passed people on Lime/Jump bikes while riding a single speed bike so I'm not sure that I'd say they're significantly faster. They can get up to speed much faster than a regular bike, which is really nice in traffic.
A buddy of mine bought a Super73 which has speed limiting modes but operates purely on the honor system. In the "unlimited" mode it can do 28mph, without pedaling. In the "limited" mode it can still do 20, which is faster than most people are capable of for any extended period of time without a power assist.
A Super 73 weighs 73lbs. That's double a regular bike. Moving at 2-4x the speed. Sure the rider is more than that but e-bike numbers are a lot closer to mopeds than bicycles.