to think electric bikes are a total menace?

[RandomGeocache]

I am not a cyclist hating motorist. But OMG those electric bikes. Regularly drive into Glasgow city centre and they appear to be the transport of choice for people working for Just Eat or Deliveroo.

The electric bikes are FAST. Far quicker than a normal cycle, easily the speed of the cars/lorries/vans. They are not licensed, the riders aren't required to wear helmets, very few have lights back/front, they zip in and out of traffic, through red lights. Accident waiting to happen.

Why are these bikes not classed as motorbikes, requiring a driving licence, r, tax etc?

They are helpful to people who are older or have mobility problems. You still have to pedal them and can adjust the level of assistance. They can be helpful for going up hills etc. my knees are fucked so it is helpful for that. If I didn’t ride an electric bike I’d drive so surely getting some exercise is better than none

Electric bikes are supposed to be pedal assist with limited speed in the UK. But there are a lot of illegally modified bikes that are on the roads now (usually delivery services) and there seems to be little enforcement of the rules.

This is why pedal assist bikes are so helpful. They also use pedal assist for things like cargo bikes, and they do reduce car use.

The issue is the illegally modified bikes that do not require pedal assist and far exceed the speeds pedal assist bike are set to.

Right so because some people ride illegal ones like assholes, all electric bikes are a menace and should be banned. Got it.

I think OP is specifically referring to the rise in illegally modified bikes, that do not require pedal assist and go up to 30mph. These are super popular with riders for Deliveroo etc. in a number of cities.

Is it not really easy to get around this by modifying it though? My brother has friends who are into them and they take them up the local bing cause they've all been essentially "jailbroken".

Not my view at all! I personally would love to see better regulation and enforcement in this area. So that legal and safe options like pedal assist are more affordable and a great option instead of cars - but dangerously modified vehicles are taken off the road.

Unfortunately that requires more money for more police, as well as clearer legislation and guidance from both central and devolved governments.

I’m in Glasgow, I cycle, and I agree with you. The worst ones are the ones that are ‘illegal’ electric powered ones (zooming along without pedalling). Those need to be insured, have number plates, MOT, and a provisional driving license, just like a motor bike (because that’s what they are). There does need to be a crackdown- they shouldn’t be on the shared space cycle/pedestrian bits, either.

Thesharkradar · Today 12:22
Somebodiesmother · Today 12:20

Do you cycle everywhere?

“No, sometimes I walk and sometimes I run”

You’re lucky, not everyone can. As I age I find hills more of a challenge. The ability to be able to switch to electric would keep me cycling.

It is a transport option. I couldnt cycle all the way to work on an unpowered bike, but I can on an electric bike. I am not using it for exercise, I am using it to get to work.

Granted and yes my post was silly I can see that there is a role for these things. But most of the people I see using them are just too lazy to put in any effort.
In truth I don't really care, if they don't care about their fitness why should I🤷
actually it's a good thing?
my real bike is much less likely to be stolen because electric bikes are much more desirable and valuable for most people.
However, these people are not cyclists they are batteryists

Are you prepared to say how far it is and how long it takes you to get there?

do you say this about people using cars? Do you use a car?

That isn't an electric bike then, is it - an electric bike gives you some power assistance WITH THE PEDALLING. you are looking at mopeds or something else

I do not use a car, and yes I am regularly shocked at the laziness of people who will drive a journey of less than 3/4 miles.
Then again it's their funeral- why should I care 🤷

Complaining that all electric bikes should be banned/require a licence to ride because you have seen idiots riding illegals ones is like saying calpol should be banned because some people take heroin.

legal electric bikes are perfectly fine, as above the motor cuts out at 15.5mph. I have one and my husband cycles way faster than me on his non electric bike. It might be lazy, but not as lazy as getting in the car, which would be the alternative for me - I live a the top of a hill and have a child on the back. I am not fit enough to cycle up the hill without any assist!

OK so the ones I am objecting to are the illegal ones, agree with previous posters that there is zero enforcement.

Go down Byres Rd on a Friday night or along Sauchiehall St from Charing Cross and you will see dozens of them. It's getting unusual to see an ordinary bike delivering Just Eat, or indeed anyone pedalling much at all. Perhaps a very gentle pedal as they sail past at a red light doing 25mph. All riding on the pavements, on pedestrianised areas, no helmet, no lights. It's really dangerous. There WILL be an accident and who will get the blame - the drivers.

Its ten miles, very hilly, on my ebike it takes an hour.

@RandomGeocache isn't actually talking about electric bikes (I don't think), she's talking about the special delivery bikes that are hybrid bike/mopeds. There's currently no legislation covering them but there bloody should be!

Maybe it is more semantically correct to call them mopeds - but mopeds have to be licensed, taxed and MOT'd, and you need a helmet. The people zooming about on the illegal electric bikes have none of that.

they're speed limited, here (well, if you can actually pedal and make them go faster, that's up to you) and must have lights (as must all other bikes) so - meh. If that's not the law/rule in your country, that's how it is. Daft, but you have to accept it.

If it is the law that they should have lights (and helmets) then that should be enforced.

They should have plates a helmet and driving on the road and also their bike certified road legal but as their is no enforcement, they are hardly going to do it.

good for you.
Here (not UK) where cycling into great age is A Thing it has been an absolute godsend. my 90 year old neighbour has recently switched to an e-bike and it's improved her life no end.

but then as mentioned previously: there are laws here about lights etc that are enforced with on-the-spot fines

I love cycling up hills 😍
If that was my commute to work my only concern would be how safe the road was and how I would manage if the weather was bad. I would be very pleased for the opportunity of extra exercise 😍
To me an electric bike is of no advantage over a proper bike- it doesn't mitigate the disadvantages of cycling, which are how to manage in the rain and how to cope with the danger of the traffic.

Is it flat or hilly where you live? You still expend calories on an electric bike and it makes the difference for many people between either not cycling at all because of the hills being impossible and numerous; or cycling a lot for exercise as the power makes the hills much easier.