Electric bicycles - who buys them?
Discussion
benny.c said:
I could definitely see the Forestry Commission and National Trust doing so, and anywhere else that promotes family friendly, multi use access. Probably some permissive bridleways too.
Fair point 
I'm not sure how it would be enforced though. If Old Bill seemingly ignore the vast numbers of delivery riders on blatantly illegal throttle based bikes on our roads (and pavements), then would there be any real appetite to try and police off road too?
I really don't see it as an issue, the majority of where I ride are dedicated trails, so no interaction with non-riders. Where I do encounter other people I just slow down...same as I do when I'm only using my regualr bikes. Its just common courtesy.
Richtea1970 said:
I’m lucky enough to live next to a very large forest and as a result have some fantastic rides. Unfortunately for a lot of the year, the area is a complete mud bath, so to try to get around it on a normal bike or even a standard ebike is very difficult. To have a bike with extra power on tap helps a lot when pedalling you run out of steam and the bike gets bogged down on muddy/clay ground. At that point it’s nice to be able to flick the throttle to get you out of trouble and stop you keeling over sideways due to lack of momentum.
I live in the North Yorkshire Natioanl Parks, so also lucky with immediate access to the wilds, moors, clay'e trails and alike.An standard EMTB will get you everywhere (and I suspect more) than an electric motobike Frey thing.
You should try
trails said:
Where I do encounter other people I just slow down...same as I do when I'm only using my regualr bikes. It’s just common courtesy.
Yeah me too and I suspect the vast majority on here. There are quite a few bellends out there too though unfortunately.Realistically, policing wouldn’t happen - there aren’t enough plod to go around. Occasionally they have a bit of a campaign to crack down on motorbikes being ridden where they shouldn’t be but it’s always a temporary thing to appease annoyed locals. .
benny.c said:
Yeah me too and I suspect the vast majority on here. There are quite a few bellends out there too though unfortunately.
Realistically, policing wouldn’t happen - there aren’t enough plod to go around. Occasionally they have a bit of a campaign to crack down on motorbikes being ridden where they shouldn’t be but it’s always a temporary thing to appease annoyed locals. .
The majority of people appreciate you slowing down and give a cheery greeting when your paths cross. I thinks it's only an issue for busybodies that don't use the woods, and have a mental image of motoX/speedway shenanigans rampaging through the Bluebells Realistically, policing wouldn’t happen - there aren’t enough plod to go around. Occasionally they have a bit of a campaign to crack down on motorbikes being ridden where they shouldn’t be but it’s always a temporary thing to appease annoyed locals. .
bmwmike said:
Surprising and frustrating how many people still confuse pedal assisted ebikes with the electric motorbikes. Was chatting to someone in the pub the other day and he didn't understand the difference, and was a cyclist himself.
In what way?That an electric bike, derestricted, no pedalling reqd, is now a motorbike.
So needs insurance/licence/helmet etc
bobbo89 said:
15mph is too low and kind of forces people to de-restrict and therefore ride illegally.
There's a point at which you become a nuisance to regular traffic as you're going slow enough for them to want to overtake but too fast for them to do so safely and that's a big problem.
Apologies in advance for the edits to your post, and this isn’t meant as a personal attack on you in any way. There's a point at which you become a nuisance to regular traffic as you're going slow enough for them to want to overtake but too fast for them to do so safely and that's a big problem.
I’ve quoted it to highlight that e mtbs (just like pedal cycles) ARE regular traffic, are allowed on the roads and if drivers can’t safely overtake them they simply shouldn’t be behind the wheel.
‘Nuisance’?
There needs to be an attitude shift amongst drivers about their unwillingness to share ‘their’ space.
PushedDover said:
I live in the North Yorkshire Natioanl Parks, so also lucky with immediate access to the wilds, moors, clay'e trails and alike.
An standard EMTB will get you everywhere (and I suspect more) than an electric motobike Frey thing.
You should try
Thanks for patronising.An standard EMTB will get you everywhere (and I suspect more) than an electric motobike Frey thing.
You should try
I do try it. I have several e-bikes, started riding them over 10 years ago and have owned probably 30 over that period, I buy/sell/service and repair.
The majority of time I’m on my FSR Turbo Levo but there are times when that can’t cope and it’s nice to have the option of the Frey. I’m not sure how you think a standard EMTB would get you to more places than my Frey.
Maybe you should try?
Edited by Richtea1970 on Sunday 17th March 22:12
Barchettaman said:
Apologies in advance for the edits to your post, and this isn’t meant as a personal attack on you in any way.
I’ve quoted it to highlight that e mtbs (just like pedal cycles) ARE regular traffic, are allowed on the roads and if drivers can’t safely overtake them they simply shouldn’t be behind the wheel.
‘Nuisance’?
There needs to be an attitude shift amongst drivers about their unwillingness to share ‘their’ space.
I'm talking about people on completely derestricted and therefore illegal e-bikes potentially being a nuisance rather than your regular cyclist. The combination of it being de-restricted along with the gearing means they're almost capable of what a car would do but not quite. I’ve quoted it to highlight that e mtbs (just like pedal cycles) ARE regular traffic, are allowed on the roads and if drivers can’t safely overtake them they simply shouldn’t be behind the wheel.
‘Nuisance’?
There needs to be an attitude shift amongst drivers about their unwillingness to share ‘their’ space.
Faster than a roadie would be going but not quite as fast as vehicles and so that creates a problem. It's something I've experienced as I own one myself and you have to ride it in a restrained manner on the road as it's very easy to ride it like an inconsiderate dick.
My point was more about increasing the limit of e-bikes as I believe 15mph to be too slow creating a situation where people want to de-restrict them, some of those people will no doubt be inconsiderate dicks. Anyone who's ridden one will tell you how infuriating the limit is, on the flat you constantly hit this weird 'wall' that feels like some is grabbing your brakes all while people on regular bikes are pulling away from you as you battle to drag the heaviest bike in the world up to the dizzy heights of 18mph.
The whole derestrcitng debate is classic moral panic territory. The public are wholly unaware, the cops don't care anyway, practically no one is negatively affected by it and yet these pages are full of handwringing over unproposed bans from the National Trust & Forestry commision.
The notion that anti social cycling revolves entirely around derestricted ebikes is laughable. If you want to understand how much the country cares about bike riding, just look around at the infrastructure with which we're provided.
The notion that anti social cycling revolves entirely around derestricted ebikes is laughable. If you want to understand how much the country cares about bike riding, just look around at the infrastructure with which we're provided.
Probably right. I am more concerned about kids doing wheelies on the pavement the entire length of Broadwater shops like yesterday in the middle of myopic OAPs and baby filled prams guided by mums on their Insta.
I am probably jealous of the skill, balance and bike control involved as they're likely to be safer than me attempting a clumsy track stand at the near by red light.
I am probably jealous of the skill, balance and bike control involved as they're likely to be safer than me attempting a clumsy track stand at the near by red light.
President Merkin said:
The whole derestrcitng debate is classic moral panic territory. The public are wholly unaware, the cops don't care anyway, practically no one is negatively affected by it and yet these pages are full of handwringing over unproposed bans from the National Trust & Forestry commision.
The notion that anti social cycling revolves entirely around derestricted ebikes is laughable. If you want to understand how much the country cares about bike riding, just look around at the infrastructure with which we're provided.
This in spades.The notion that anti social cycling revolves entirely around derestricted ebikes is laughable. If you want to understand how much the country cares about bike riding, just look around at the infrastructure with which we're provided.
I have to say the SurRon and Fey bikes are an entirely different kettle of fish though for me though, I realise that is mildly hypocritical
James6112 said:
bmwmike said:
Surprising and frustrating how many people still confuse pedal assisted ebikes with the electric motorbikes. Was chatting to someone in the pub the other day and he didn't understand the difference, and was a cyclist himself.
In what way?That an electric bike, derestricted, no pedalling reqd, is now a motorbike.
So needs insurance/licence/helmet etc
There’s no handwringing going on, it’s just a discussion including the potential consequences of upping e-bike assist limits. If you want examples look to the EU and US where you have tiered systems whereby you can’t ride a quicker bike in certain places. In the US you can’t ride an e-bike in huge areas of forestry trails which would be a right PITA here.
Just leave it as it is. We all get unrestricted access whatever and wherever we ride and those that really need to do 20 instead of 15.5 can derestrict themselves.
Just leave it as it is. We all get unrestricted access whatever and wherever we ride and those that really need to do 20 instead of 15.5 can derestrict themselves.
nickfrog said:
Probably right. I am more concerned about kids doing wheelies on the pavement the entire length of Broadwater shops like yesterday in the middle of myopic OAPs and baby filled prams guided by mums on their Insta.
I am probably jealous of the skill, balance and bike control involved as they're likely to be safer than me attempting a clumsy track stand at the near by red light.
I am probably jealous of the skill, balance and bike control involved as they're likely to be safer than me attempting a clumsy track stand at the near by red light.
I fully expect you cruised by, one upping them with a perfectly executed one foot off manual
benny.c said:
There’s no handwringing going on, it’s just a discussion including the potential consequences of upping e-bike assist limits. If you want examples look to the EU and US where you have tiered systems whereby you can’t ride a quicker bike in certain places. In the US you can’t ride an e-bike in huge areas of forestry trails which would be a right PITA here.
Just leave it as it is. We all get unrestricted access whatever and wherever we ride and those that really need to do 20 instead of 15.5 can derestrict themselves.
With respect, Benny it's exactly that. The bans you refer to are nothing to do with changes to ebikes but ebikes themselves. Not the same thing at all. It was you who raised the NT & FC banning derestricted ebikes btw, I think you have no evidence for this at all, just a fevered imagination.Just leave it as it is. We all get unrestricted access whatever and wherever we ride and those that really need to do 20 instead of 15.5 can derestrict themselves.
President Merkin said:
With respect, Benny it's exactly that. The bans you refer to are nothing to do with changes to ebikes but ebikes themselves. Not the same thing at all. It was you who raised the NT & FC banning derestricted ebikes btw, I think you have no evidence for this at all, just a fevered imagination.
I didn’t suggest there was a ban incoming or even thought of. What I said was that if e-bikes were derestricted or the limit upped in the future that we may find we are not welcome everywhere, especially places where family friendly, mixed use trails are promoted.I’m off to the Netherlands in a few weeks. Thousands of miles of fantastic off-road trails with e-bikes happily cruising along at 25kph. Those that want to get around quicker can use a speed pedalec that has type approval and registration, on different trails. It’s a great system - and yes I’m aware their infrastructure is better. But proponents of derestricted bikes here aren’t having any of that. Grrrr. regulation, don’t tell me how quick my bike can go.
Edited by benny.c on Monday 18th March 11:33
benny.c said:
I didn’t suggest there was a ban incoming or even thought of. What I said was that if e-bikes were derestricted or the limit upped in the future that we may find we are not welcome everywhere, especially places where family friendly, mixed use trails are promoted.
This is getting silly now. I'm well aware of what you said, I read your words. Since then, you've drawn a false comparison between outright bans in the US & what could happen here if higher speeds are introduced & now you're depicting derestricted bike owners as irresponsible vandals!None of this amounts to anything, there will be no crackdown, no policing of riders out in the country & most inportantly, no need to wind yourself into a tizzy.
President Merkin said:
None of this amounts to anything, there will be no crackdown, no policing of riders out in the country & most inportantly, no need to wind yourself into a tizzy.
Exactly. Why are folk whining so much about their bikes being too slow then. Handwringing indeed. Just derestrict it and don’t ride like a bellend. There’s no need for a law change. Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff