Where Are E-Bikes Supposed To Be Ridden? The Ultimate Debate!

[@sphong0610]

PAS bikes restricted to 25km/hr are fine. It's the motorized bikes with throttles going over 30-50km/hrs that are the problem. Those are practically e-motoercycles and should be on the streets not on pedestrian sudewalks or bike roads. A lot of them aren't even legal, just modified using motorized parts with no safety regulations or licences.

[@you_down_with_pjc]

E-bikes aside, intro perfectly captures the chaotic nature of most bike infrastructure design. Within blocks of each other it goes right-side bike lane -> disappeared lane/street -> inside of parking buffered bike lane -> off-road “shared” lane. Predictability of travel makes things most safe, but when it comes to bike infrastructure, city planners are mostly making it up as they go along.

[@bjornlangoren3002]

Same place as bikes. In the road. Weaving in and out of the road, or riding over a crosswalk in the blind spot of a driver is a lot more dangerous than holding your line, on the road, and riding with predictability. Also keep a good 3-4 feet to the left of parked cars, and of the curb. When encountering a sudden obstacle, you want to have space to escape to the right, and not into traffic. And for obstacles such as parked cars, claim your space well ahead of time. Remember most drivers are short sighted, and dont anticipate the moves of an inexperienced cyclist.

[@kahvikone]

I'm also thinking of getting a regular bell. The horn startles people more than the ding of a bell.

[@IMBruceECLECTIC]

ALOHA.....its all about courtesy....courtesy to others....and it should be vice versa.... For example...walkers who walk 4 abreast on a bike trail and impeded others...that is not good either. It all depends on situation...sometimes I take the complete lane. When it comes to riding on the road....rider safety is paramount. Great job!

[@RydinNStyle]

I agree, a mutual respect always wins

[@rickbarber8399]

My biggest concern is that states can no longer ignore the ebike phenomenon. Therefore they will be inclined to create more legislation with the excuse that they are making it safer. The #1 problem is the lack of infrastructure to safely handle the current & future volume. Consequently, these future rules will apply in an environment that assumes the infrastructure is in place. I have seen many municipalities increasing the addition of multi purpose paths that are wide enough to accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists & disabled people (electric wheelchairs), but that is only a drop in the bucket & it will take decades to get to where we need to be. So I hope they can adopt rules that make sense & do not deter the future of electric mobility. European countries are years ahead of us in this aspect & I only hope Americans will start to lose their love affair with cars. Big oil & car manufacturers will do what they can to lobby against this, but i think in the long run e-bike mode of transportation will win out.

[@RydinNStyle]

Lots of great points here 👍

[@paullefko]

Truth

[@lunastryker3531]

I'm pretty sure if there's no bike path your supposed to be on the shoulder

[@robertkjonaas3388]

Pedal assist ebikes are okay on fitness trails along with non motorized bike. Ebikes that power the bike without pedaling are electric motorcycles. They belong on the street or road like gas powered motorcycles

[@out_spocken]

Bicycles on suburban roads travel 1/3 to 1/2 the speed of cars. Bicycles travel 4-6x the speed of pedestrians. I'd argue it is speed related. If you are riding your bike at 15kmh (10mph) then use the footpath. 15-30kmh for dedicated shared paths. Anything above 30kmh shouldn't be on the same plane as pedestrians. Use roads. yes there is a risk to ebiking / cycling roads...but cycling or ebiking (I dont' classify unassisted ebiking as cycling) at fast speeds shouldn't be on footpaths where elderly, kids and people moving at slow speeds are. Where you ride paths and footpaths the priority is the pedestrians. Just as when you ride roads the drive must prioritise cyclists. Basically the more vulnerable gets the priority.

[@Raykazen]

at 25kph ebikes are fine on bike path. But you need to announce to people that you are coming with a bell or with voice.

[@waktosha7378]

I believe that you should ride the road when reasonably safe, then ride the sidewalk the rest of the time.

[@IMBruceECLECTIC]

Missed seeing the fledging KZbin star.... :)

[@AddMoreQuarters]

The street.

[@paullefko]

Bike infrastructure is a problem, roads are designed to keep cars moving. The odd thing is/was paved roads were initially developed for bikes. Anyway e-bike or analog style belong just the same, ride with consideration of others and safety for your self. That being said bikes really belong on the road unless there is some other extenuating circumstance. Riding your e-bike on the side walk at full throttle is sketchy for other drivers pulling out at a crossing as well as the unexpected pedestrians. Plus those class two throttle controlled e-bikes are electric motorcycles/scooters they are really for the road

[@mmilne17]

Nobody is racing around a round a bout, stay off the side walk, your bike is motorized use the road. regardless bike belong on the road in the bike lane if available.

[@___Bebo___]

E bikes are for dorks. Just ride a pedal bike if you want to ride on sidewalks and get a real motorcycle.

[@chuckwolf9869]

Anywhere an acoustic bicycle can go an ebike can go

[@leprechaungold5380]

I think the riders need some form of education on road safety and laws for e bikes and regular bikes and children shouldn't ride them on road ways without adults . To meny ppl run lights stop signals and run out in to traffic

[@RydinNStyle]

Very true!

[@audiodoctor100]

In a bike lane, they belong in a bike lane. I know guys who will cycle faster than e-bikes and will use the road or the bike lane. Anyone who cycles on the pavement (unless you’re a kid) you’re a knob.

[@RydinNStyle]

But not all area rodes have bike lanes, it's either in the roadway or on a sidewalk. It's a tough choice with several variables to consider.

[@paullefko]

I have both regular and non-throttle controlled e-bike( class 3), no pedal no assist. I ride the regular bike 95 percent of the time and with regard to speed on flats, kickers and some stingers I’m just as fast or faster on the regular bike. I regularly pass e-bikes on my regular bike, I tell you this because I wouldn’t dream of riding 18 plus mph on the sidewalk like in this video.

[@gregcharland]

@@RydinNStyle Then unplug the battery from the motor and pedal.

[@JohnDough-yr2zt]

Please stop talking