cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/34367979
More barriers to cycling means more cars which means more dead cyclists. Help us defeat this terrible anti-safety bill.
cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/34367979
More barriers to cycling means more cars which means more dead cyclists. Help us defeat this terrible anti-safety bill.
At least you started your comment by making it clear that you don’t know.
There are already clearly defined laws and definitions for ebike classes, which are distinct from mopeds and motorcycles.
Its not carte blanche or wild west or any other silly idiom.
The problem isn’t ebikes. The problem is unlicensed electric motorcycles.
Ebikes are a good thing. They blow cars out of the water with how much much more environmentally friendly and cost effective they are. Requiring license plates and possibly insurance is a huge disincentive. Also pointed out by another user in this thread is that it enables the tracking of your location by all of these horrible flock cameras.
If kids are ripping along the streets on illegal electric motorcycles, what we need is law enforcement, not new laws targeted at those who already are following the existing law.
I think those are all good points except the last one. You do not want cops running down kids on bikes on a hunch that they or their bike aren’t compliant with something that can’t be accurately assessed from a distance. Good transportation requires a combination of education, infrastructure, and enforcement. In the case of kids using electric motorcycles I think a lot of the first thing with a healthy helping of the second thing are where the focus should be. Teach kids responsible use in school, maybe lower the learner permit age for electric motorcycles use, and get better facilities for non-motorized vehicles so kids don’t require a motor or engine to safely travel longer distances.
I agree with the spirit of your post. Entirely.
Yes, enforcement is certainly an issue.
However, here in Ontario any moped that has pedals is an e-bike, legally speaking. I’ve seen one with the most limp-twisted effort to qualify as a bike and be therefore street legal. But it still has all the qualities that cause me concern.
What we need is better classifications. A small standing e-scooter that can’t break 15kph shouldn’t be treated the same as a moped with pedals that can get 60kph.
For content, here in California we do have ebike classifications that are a little more detailed than pedals means bicycle. There are three classes, and the fastest (class 3) are not legal for middle school ages. We even have a law on the books that makes it illegal to sell ebikes that can be software/app changes into a different class.
This really is a push to outlaw all ebikes, especially since the resp is from Orinda. They hate bikes there, even regular push bikes.
Agreed
The unfortunate reality is that there is no world where towns and cities are going to spend money enforcing bike laws with dedicated law enforcement. They are just going to ban or heavily regulate ebikes, and this was the incredibly obvious outcome once the fat bike motorcycles became the dominant form factor.
They probably had a similar attitude when cars first hit the streets. Hell my local cops have bicycles already, how hard would it be to put that unit on an e-bike or even a legit moped to catch up to offenders.
Cool. You want the cops to start executing children on the streets for not obeying commands.
Don’t we all? /s
In seriousness, what you’re pointing out is a problem but we’re talking about two different things.
My main point is that we don’t need a new law.
I believe you’re saying that our police are horrible and that enforcing the existing law may end up brutalizing the population.
I think we agree.
If they’re driving a bike or any other type of vehicle including roller skates (exceptions can be made for non motorised wheelchairs with a medical certificate) on the sidewalk I very damn well do, yes.
Well, without the command thing. Or the shooting.
Just take them away quietly and dispose of them and their accursed wheeled contraption in as painful a way as possible somewhere where it won’t bother civilised people, and fine and shame their parents or closest relatives.