This mornings Sunday Times

[Izzyekerslike]

Article about e-bike in this mornings Sunday Times it has also just been on BBC breakfast ... My thoughts are that this type of publicity is bad for all. What are your thoughts? Unfortunately I couldn't find a way to up load the whole article but if someone could tell me I'll give it a go.

 

[Will Tinker]

I've seen one or two speed past me on the Bristol / Bath cycle lane.

Not good.

 

[LeighPing]

I've seen one or two speed past me on the Bristol / Bath cycle lane.

Not good.

Were you in a car? Or on another bike?

 

[Gubbins]

Isn't it odd that cars and motorcycles regularly break the speed limit but this is considered normal because it happens all the time. The e-bike is noteworthy because it is unusual and whilst it would be impossible to film every car that broke the limit the odd speeding ebike is easy.

 

[Kuorider]

I've seen one or two speed past me on the Bristol / Bath cycle lane.

Not good.

How could you tell if he was on the motor or just a strong fit cyclist?

 

[Gubbins]

Need to see the video

 

[Will Tinker]

Were you in a car? Or on another bike?

I was on another (250 watt, legal) eBike. It was a cycle path so no cars. But yes, a couple of times someone breezed past, motor humming away. They were going over 20, for sure.

 

[Will Tinker]

How could you tell if he was on the motor or just a strong fit cyclist?

Because the motor was audibly active, and the pedalling was not strenuous.

 

[LeighPing]

I was on another (250 watt, legal) eBike. It was a cycle path so no cars. But yes, a couple of times someone breezed past, motor humming away. They were going over 20, for sure.

Unlike the times article stated then, they weren't actually appearing to break the speed limit, in your opinion?

They've clearly made a weak attempt to infer that 15.5 mph is a 'speed limit'. It's not.

 

[Will Tinker]

Isn't it odd that cars and motorcycles regularly break the speed limit but this is considered normal because it happens all the time. The e-bike is noteworthy because it is unusual and whilst it would be impossible to film every car that broke the limit the odd speeding ebike is easy.

I think that where this differs is that the vehicle itself (eBike with quicker motor) is not legal unless correctly registered.

 

[Will Tinker]

Unlike the times article stated then, they weren't actually appearing to break the speed limit, in your opinion?

They've clearly made a weak attempt to infer that 15.5 mph is a 'speed limit'. It's not.

There isn't a speed limit on the cycle path, so no they were not breaking any speed limit.

They were however breaking the law by using a vehicle that is not permitted to be on the cycle path in the first place.

 

[LeighPing]

There isn't a speed limit on the cycle path, so no they were not breaking any speed limit.

They were however breaking the law by using a vehicle that is not permitted to be on the cycle path in the first place.

Can an ebike not use the cycle path then?

I think that where this differs is that the vehicle itself (eBike with quicker motor) is not legal unless correctly registered.

Yep, get that till open. Kerching!

 

[Will Tinker]

Yep, get that till open. Kerching!


Can an ebike not use the cycle path then?


Yep, get that till open. Kerching!

Not one that assists over 15.5mph, no...

 

[LeighPing]

Not one that assists over 15.5mph, no...

That's just your opinion though Will. It doesn't actually say that anywhere does it?

I mean, it's a bike, using a bike path. Why shouldn't it go there?

 

[Gubbins]

I would have thought most drivers would be happy to see a bike disapearing into the distance... the main grumble is that they are slow and hold everyone up.
Unless of course a speeding bicycle might win Strictly.....

 

[Will Tinker]

That's just your opinion though Will. It doesn't actually say that anywhere does it?

I mean, it's a bike, using a bike path. Why shouldn't it go there?

Well, it's an opinion and a law

 

[danielrlee]

I mean, it's a bike, using a bike path. Why shouldn't it go there?

That's the point - it's no longer legally classed as a bike, but instead an unregistered moped.

 

[LeighPing]

That's the point - it's no longer legally classed as a bike, but instead an unregistered moped.

Well, it's an opinion and a law

People look at you and think "Bloody ebikes. Cheating buggers!" and you look at a faster ebike and just think "Cheating bugger!"

It's as much a moped as any other ebike to be fair. Just a few miles faster.

 

[danielrlee]

It's as much a moped as any other ebike to be fair. Just a few miles faster.

The law is very black & white in its definition. Anything over 15.5mph (17mph, including 10% speedo inaccuracy allowance) and it's no longer classed as a bicycle.

 

[Gubbins]

The law is very black & white in its definition. Anything over 15.5mph (17mph, including 10% speedo inaccuracy allowance) and it's no longer classed as a bicycle.

Yes, but by who?