...understand how a bicycle with any sort of motorized component that assists in your progression is any different from a moped...AND, why should it be allowed on a bicycle path as opposed to any moped, etc.?
Someone Help Me...
- Thread starter Gossamer
- Start date
Funny I saw an ad for motorized bikes yesterday and was wondering if they are allowed on bike paths to. Having biked quite a few trails some have signs that say "no motorized vehicles" so I assume they would fall under that category.
Probably has the most to do with weight(mass). Some of those electric bikes are around 50 lbs if I recall correctly. A regular old steel mountain bike is 30+ lbs. Get to mopeds and you are talking easily 100+ lbs. Not saying either is right or wrong but I would be much more comfortable with an ebike in a bicycle path than a moped. At some point it will probably have to be regulated if enough people get hurt with heavier "bikes" on bike paths.
Guessing it has to do with ebikes being assisted by a motor vs fully motorized. As long as the pedals can and do provide propulsion then you can get by with the bike classification. But there will be a point where they will need to be regulated just like a moped with lights, windscreen, horns, and such.
I passed a guy a few years ago in his 20s smoking a cigarette while the bike did all the work. It didn't bother me too much.
From a technical standpoint, there is no difference. However, there are substantial differences...depending on how nuanced you want to be.
First, there's a terminology issue that conflates motors with engines. An internal combustion engine is not a motor, but they're constantly referred to as such. As for mopeds, there are those with pedals and those without. Under no scenario is one without pedals a bicycle, and in that scenario the term moped in itself contradictory. So what we're really talking about here is e-bikes...which get a pass because they're quiet. (not annoying)
I presume at some point as battery technology evolves, they're going to have to reconcile the differences. My view is that we should classify based on the PRIMARY mode of propulsion. This would eliminate any an all internal combustion engines. If the pedals are the secondary mode of transportation, then they should be required to stay off the trails.
But rest assured some one will push the limits on that.
First, there's a terminology issue that conflates motors with engines. An internal combustion engine is not a motor, but they're constantly referred to as such. As for mopeds, there are those with pedals and those without. Under no scenario is one without pedals a bicycle, and in that scenario the term moped in itself contradictory. So what we're really talking about here is e-bikes...which get a pass because they're quiet. (not annoying)
I presume at some point as battery technology evolves, they're going to have to reconcile the differences. My view is that we should classify based on the PRIMARY mode of propulsion. This would eliminate any an all internal combustion engines. If the pedals are the secondary mode of transportation, then they should be required to stay off the trails.
But rest assured some one will push the limits on that.
I'm not sure where this ended up, but it was being discussed in the Iowa legislature last year.
www.clintonherald.com
I didn't realize some e-bikes could go up to 28mph. I'd say those should not be allowed on trails.
Bicycles or motor vehicles? Lawmakers work to classify low-speed, electric bikes
Low-speed, electric bicycles are blazing trails in traffic laws around the country and Iowa lawmakers are trying to decide how to treat these new hybrids.
www.clintonherald.com
I didn't realize some e-bikes could go up to 28mph. I'd say those should not be allowed on trails.
Getting an electric Harley and will be flying down bike trails near you soon.
The amount of people that these e-bikes have propelled into the sport is a good thing. More people riding trails means more people supporting those businesses along it as well as helping fund any maintenance.
Currently, at least in Minnesota, to be classified an electric bike it has to be limited to 20 mph (whether human assisted or not), 1000w motor assist and have operational pedals. Beyond that it gets into licensed moped territory and something licensed would be prohibited from trails/paths.
Still, going to be an issue as more of these get out there and have idiots behind their handles. Already a fair sized subset of road bikers that insist on biking 25mph on paths crowded with leisure bikers and children. Throw in idiots on electric scooters into that mix and it already gets bit crazy at times. Not looking forward to electrics use ramping up on those paths. I'm a worn out old man and generally not biking more than 17mph but when I do it isn't on a crowded and narrow two-way path, it'll be in the street or on one of the main collector routes like the Greenway. If I opt to bike around the lakes it is at a reduced speed appropriate for that venue.
Still, going to be an issue as more of these get out there and have idiots behind their handles. Already a fair sized subset of road bikers that insist on biking 25mph on paths crowded with leisure bikers and children. Throw in idiots on electric scooters into that mix and it already gets bit crazy at times. Not looking forward to electrics use ramping up on those paths. I'm a worn out old man and generally not biking more than 17mph but when I do it isn't on a crowded and narrow two-way path, it'll be in the street or on one of the main collector routes like the Greenway. If I opt to bike around the lakes it is at a reduced speed appropriate for that venue.
If you want them on the roads... they should be taxed and have a paid registration with the county. (I think all bikes should if you are riding them on the road).
next I am going to have to register my own 2 feet to walk on the roads too?
They are increasingly popular on the Chicago bike trails, especially the pedal assist kind. The full throttle ebikes are less common, but I do see a few every now and again flying down a packed trail at probably 25mph. I don’t have a big problem with them, but with the amount of tourists that are constantly walking across the bike path without looking either way, somebody is going to get smoked one of these days.
No - that’s what sidewalks are for. Home Owners/City Government are already responsible for those... so in a way.. you’re already taxed.
Iowa Code § 321.1(40)(c) defines a bicycle as either human powered two-wheeled with at least one saddle or “[a] device having two or three wheels with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than seven hundred fifty watts (one horsepower), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden, is less than twenty miles per hour.”
So I guess there are restrictions in Iowa. But, a quick search on the local bike shop's website shows a few bikes with a max assisted speed nice the 20 mph limit.
So I guess there are restrictions in Iowa. But, a quick search on the local bike shop's website shows a few bikes with a max assisted speed nice the 20 mph limit.
If you live with your parents it is a moped. Otherwise it is an electric bike.
A bicycle is typically in the vehicle category for traffic laws so I'd assume if a bicyclist causes injury to someone on a trail they can be ticketed for reckless behavior, etc. and the e bikes should be treated similarly if someone's going too fast for the conditions.
If they were loud I wouldn't want them on trails but bicyclists also need to announce to the world what they're listening to through their speakers so I guess what's the difference.
If they were loud I wouldn't want them on trails but bicyclists also need to announce to the world what they're listening to through their speakers so I guess what's the difference.
