Ebikes v e-scooters

Electrically assisted bikes, trikes, etc. that are legal in the UK
Oldjohnw
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Ebikes v e-scooters

Post by Oldjohnw »

Traditional motor scooters now with electric motors cost way less than ebikes. Food for thought.

https://scooter.uk.com/yamaha-ec-05/
John
Nigel
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Re: Ebikes v e-scooters

Post by Nigel »

Oldjohnw wrote: 24 May 2021, 7:29am Traditional motor scooters now with electric motors cost way less than ebikes. Food for thought.

https://scooter.uk.com/yamaha-ec-05/
Firstly, I don't think that website includes freight costs, include import duty or VAT to move it from the far east.
Its a cheap moped, which is fine. To use requires motorcycle license, helmet, insurance, MOT.
A cheap ebike is much cheaper to purchase.

Some ebikes may be more expensive. But there are lots of cyclists who spend "more than the price of a decent car" on their bikes.


- Nigel
Oldjohnw
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Re: Ebikes v e-scooters

Post by Oldjohnw »

Nigel wrote: 24 May 2021, 9:03am
Oldjohnw wrote: 24 May 2021, 7:29am Traditional motor scooters now with electric motors cost way less than ebikes. Food for thought.

https://scooter.uk.com/yamaha-ec-05/
Firstly, I don't think that website includes freight costs, include import duty or VAT to move it from the far east.
Its a cheap moped, which is fine. To use requires motorcycle license, helmet, insurance, MOT.
A cheap ebike is much cheaper to purchase.

Some ebikes may be more expensive. But there are lots of cyclists who spend "more than the price of a decent car" on their bikes.


- Nigel
Freight costs: these or similar can be purchased all over the UK for similar prices. But I am not promoting them. Just saying it’s food for thought.
John
PH
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Re: Ebikes v e-scooters

Post by PH »

Oldjohnw wrote: 24 May 2021, 7:29am Traditional motor scooters now with electric motors cost way less than ebikes. Food for thought.

https://scooter.uk.com/yamaha-ec-05/
What thought?
Motor scooters have always been good value, they're made for a huge worldwide market that any bike manufacturer would be envious of. I almost bought a petrol one twenty years ago, when I had a 16 mile commute, but instead spent more money on a decent bike.
I doubt many people are considering the choice between a motor scooter (Whatever the fuel source) or an assist pedal bike. And if they were doing so for transport, why would they be comparing a basic scooter and a high end e-bike? Most of the e-bikes I see are in the £1,000 - £1,500 price range.
For those looking for something to replace a few car or bus journeys, as an alternative to the effort of walking and a bit faster, which is easy to use and store, with minimal maintenance or any other ongoing costs - the answer is more likely to be a stand on scooter and that's also likely to be considerably cheaper than an e-bike.
Much as I like cycling, I don't think any transport revolution is going to be pedal powered, with or without assistance. I know several people who've replaced some bike trips with stand on scooters, if you're not a cycling enthusiast it's hard to argue why pedalling is an advantage.
I had an interview last year for a part time job in shop specialising in E-bikes and scooters, it wasn't for me, my interest would have been in the cycling rather than the scootering and it was obvious which market they considered more important.
Oldjohnw
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Re: Ebikes v e-scooters

Post by Oldjohnw »

I am tempted for a run around and trips to choirs and such things.
John
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squeaker
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Re: Ebikes v e-scooters

Post by squeaker »

Oldjohnw wrote: 24 May 2021, 7:29am Traditional motor scooters now with electric motors cost way less than ebikes. Food for thought.

https://scooter.uk.com/yamaha-ec-05/
Pity about the exposed drive chain... Bit cheaper than a Vespa though :shock:
"42"
Bonefishblues
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Re: Ebikes v e-scooters

Post by Bonefishblues »

...and these are way cheaper than either:
https://www.pureelectric.com/collection ... gLGMfD_BwE

Fast, too (in the hands of the irresponsible) :shock:
https://metro.co.uk/2021/02/04/e-scoote ... -14021280/
Oldjohnw
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Re: Ebikes v e-scooters

Post by Oldjohnw »

Bonefishblues wrote: 24 May 2021, 11:07am ...and these are way cheaper than either:
https://www.pureelectric.com/collection ... ers?gclid=

But not the same.
John
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Re: Ebikes v e-scooters

Post by mjr »

Oldjohnw wrote: 24 May 2021, 11:10am
Bonefishblues wrote: 24 May 2021, 11:07am ...and these are way cheaper than either:
https://www.pureelectric.com/collection ... ers?gclid=

But not the same.
And a 250W MTB front wheel drive kit is under £200. I know what the local cheapskates are using.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
Red Kite
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Re: Ebikes v e-scooters

Post by Red Kite »

Oldjohnw wrote: 24 May 2021, 11:10am
Bonefishblues wrote: 24 May 2021, 11:07am ...and these are way cheaper than either:
https://www.pureelectric.com/collection ... ers?gclid=

But not the same.
I think it's still the case that it is not legal to use the stand-on scooters on public roads or footpaths which is a fairly major drawback for most grown ups.

The exception is the permitted trials, but from what I've seen they are not always being used as intended either.
Cube Touring Hybrid One e-bike, Brompton P6R with Swytch conversion
PH
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Re: Ebikes v e-scooters

Post by PH »

mjr wrote: 24 May 2021, 11:48am And a 250W MTB front wheel drive kit is under £200. I know what the local cheapskates are using.
Is that including a battery? I don' t think I've seen any that cheap.
Popular round here, with a certain group, are the £80 Ebay petrol engines that you zip tie to the spokes.
Blondie
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Re: Ebikes v e-scooters

Post by Blondie »

Scooter ok if you want to wear a motorcycle helmet, register it, insure it, mot after 3 years etc.
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Re: Ebikes v e-scooters

Post by PH »

Blondie wrote: 24 May 2021, 5:57pm Scooter ok if you want to wear a motorcycle helmet, register it, insure it, mot after 3 years etc.
I think the law will have catch up with the reality, it is IMO too late for anything else. Regardless of the users, there's a number of multi-million pound businesses involved in their production and sales.
Blondie
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Re: Ebikes v e-scooters

Post by Blondie »

PH wrote: 24 May 2021, 6:07pm
Blondie wrote: 24 May 2021, 5:57pm Scooter ok if you want to wear a motorcycle helmet, register it, insure it, mot after 3 years etc.
I think the law will have catch up with the reality, it is IMO too late for anything else. Regardless of the users, there's a number of multi-million pound businesses involved in their production and sales.
Law already covers them and they are classed as described. No way they should be classed same as e bikes.
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Re: Ebikes v e-scooters

Post by PH »

Blondie wrote: 24 May 2021, 6:28pm Law already covers them and they are classed as described. No way they should be classed same as e bikes.
Yes, that's the law.
The reality is thousands of them are being sold and used, openly sold on the high street, openly used just about everywhere.
What do you think is going to happen? Do you think some authority is going to stop their sale and use? Or that the law will change to permit them? I'll bet on the latter, we'll know soon enough, the trials come to an end in the Autumn and the Government has said they'll review the evidence then.
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