My proposition isn't "to increase the assisted speed limit" but rather to recognise that it's an unnecessary and ineffective control for e-bike safe use. The thing that makes illegal e-bikes dangerous is not their lack of speed control but their excessive power. If the total power of an e-bike rider + motor is limited to something like 250 watts, this automatically limits the speed at which an e-bike can be propelled - effectively, no faster than an ordinary bike ridden by a reasonably fit cyclist without any motor.Jdsk wrote: ↑22 Sep 2022, 6:11pm The speed of the ridden machine affects other people, particularly in congested spaces.
Increasing the assisted speed limit would increase the number of machines ridden fast.
It might seem unfair to limit the assisted speed when unassisted riders can go faster but sheer numbers should come into the decision. (And I'm in favour of there being a lot more eBikes out there.)
Jonathan
But then the e-bike riders can, conversely, ride as fast as their fitter fellow non e-bike riders.
The notion that an increase in e-bikes that can go as fast (but no faster) than non e-bikes would be a matter for concern, such that their speed should be limited, is a peculiar argument. In that case, any increase in non e-bikes ought to attract the same response, with auto-applied brakes if any of the increased hordes of cyclists try to go above 25kph.
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Meanwhile, a new category of electrically-assisted personal transport could be defined (or several of them). For example, a cargo carrying two or three wheeler with a maximum rider + motor power of 500 watts but with a speed limit of 50kph, for use in urban traffic, where it could keep pace. That's not a bike, though .... is it?
Cugel