Discussion
Concerning these e bikes, last night travelling through Romford we stopped at a rounderbout as a small white light just caught my eye like a firework, then a bike that was travelling I recon 25mph flashed by then out of site as it had no back light but the rider had box bag strapped to his back advertising a pizza company.
They are taking the PI** out of everyone, no ins, illegal transport, etc. The poor MC riders have to jump through expensive hoops to be on the road.
What can be done to stop this.
They are taking the PI** out of everyone, no ins, illegal transport, etc. The poor MC riders have to jump through expensive hoops to be on the road.
What can be done to stop this.
See them about, I built one to see what the fuss was about but it’s a bloody ridiculous thing, rode it once and it will hit 40 mph, now consigned to the shed. Be good if you had a large property or something but shouldn’t be used on the road. The kids asked to use it, absolutely no chance, would skip it before that happens.
The limits of 15.5 mph and 250 watts are set for a reason as the make cycling a bit easier without turning the bike into a small motorcycle. It’s too fast as car drivers don’t expect bikes to be travelling at that kind of speed, plus it’s pretty heavy.
I just felt self conscious riding it, you can get six points for driving without insurance and am not up for that, was mostly off road.
Seen a few locally and was in Manchester centre a couple of weeks back and every takeaway delivery driver was on one, Police not interested or don’t have time to deal with it.
Plus, with a legal one, it assists so you still get some exercise, with the more powerful ones you don’t if you use the assists at the higher levels, and if you don’t, may as wel just have less power anyway.
The limits of 15.5 mph and 250 watts are set for a reason as the make cycling a bit easier without turning the bike into a small motorcycle. It’s too fast as car drivers don’t expect bikes to be travelling at that kind of speed, plus it’s pretty heavy.
I just felt self conscious riding it, you can get six points for driving without insurance and am not up for that, was mostly off road.
Seen a few locally and was in Manchester centre a couple of weeks back and every takeaway delivery driver was on one, Police not interested or don’t have time to deal with it.
Plus, with a legal one, it assists so you still get some exercise, with the more powerful ones you don’t if you use the assists at the higher levels, and if you don’t, may as wel just have less power anyway.
Well, e-bikes over here that are derestricted beyond 25kmh or sold with an e motor over 250w are required to:
-have at least 3rd party insurance and have its number plate mounted
-not use cycle lanes
-the Rider needs a license with an ‘AM’ class (moped 50cc equivalent)
-and wear an approved helmet.
These ‘speed pedelecs’ are restricted to 45kmh.
So yeah, that’s what the UK needs to do.
As far as idiots riding them around idiotically, no idea, but I’m sure that’s not a problem exclusive to e bikes.
-have at least 3rd party insurance and have its number plate mounted
-not use cycle lanes
-the Rider needs a license with an ‘AM’ class (moped 50cc equivalent)
-and wear an approved helmet.
These ‘speed pedelecs’ are restricted to 45kmh.
So yeah, that’s what the UK needs to do.
As far as idiots riding them around idiotically, no idea, but I’m sure that’s not a problem exclusive to e bikes.
I think it’s only a matter of time before some ‘tragic’ deaths of those on modded scooters and e bikes.
I’m a cyclist (I’ve just done an hour of indoor training) and can’t say I’ve always been an angel but going through Southampton in the past you may of seen d@*kheads ride through lights at 14 mph but now they’re shooting through at 30 and jumping onto pavements avoiding oncoming traffic and people.
As I say I’ll have zero sympathy when the inevitable happens.
Btw I’m someone who doesn’t see the need for UberEats to get your KFC and Maccys
I’m a cyclist (I’ve just done an hour of indoor training) and can’t say I’ve always been an angel but going through Southampton in the past you may of seen d@*kheads ride through lights at 14 mph but now they’re shooting through at 30 and jumping onto pavements avoiding oncoming traffic and people.
As I say I’ll have zero sympathy when the inevitable happens.
Btw I’m someone who doesn’t see the need for UberEats to get your KFC and Maccys
This thread will go much like the e-scooter one I suspect.
There’s a market for legal ones, there’s a market for illegal ones. Because the introduction of the regulations was quite fluffed, it’s pretty hard to prove on an e-bike what is and is not illegal.
If someone’s using an electric moped looking thing with a box on the back to do Just Eat, I don’t have much of an issue tbh, they’re legal by the letter of the law even if the pedal assistance required is laughable. Sounds more like the OP encountered one of the home brew 1000w hub motor DIY efforts and sadly there’s not a lot can be done about them.
The Police certainly don’t have the knowledge or resources to tackle them. Boy I know just had his house broken in to and expensive Mountainbike stolen, the culprits arrived and fled using Surron e-bikes. Now they’re illegal on the streets without full registration and number plates, yet the cops can’t get near them.
There’s a market for legal ones, there’s a market for illegal ones. Because the introduction of the regulations was quite fluffed, it’s pretty hard to prove on an e-bike what is and is not illegal.
If someone’s using an electric moped looking thing with a box on the back to do Just Eat, I don’t have much of an issue tbh, they’re legal by the letter of the law even if the pedal assistance required is laughable. Sounds more like the OP encountered one of the home brew 1000w hub motor DIY efforts and sadly there’s not a lot can be done about them.
The Police certainly don’t have the knowledge or resources to tackle them. Boy I know just had his house broken in to and expensive Mountainbike stolen, the culprits arrived and fled using Surron e-bikes. Now they’re illegal on the streets without full registration and number plates, yet the cops can’t get near them.
Fundoreen said:
The consequence of having a government that parrot 'deregulation' and 'turbocharging the economy' endlessly.
Someone importants grandma needs to be run over by one before they will pay attention.
And the reaction will be, as it always is, something kneejerk and ill considered that will inconvenience the law abiding majority a lot more than the inconsiderate few - 20mph urban speed limits being a prime example (people doing 30 mph were never a problem; they're now stuck doing 20mph with broken springs, meanwhile the yobs doing 50 are still doing 50). If legislation comes into force it won't bother the 1500w motorcycle dSomeone importants grandma needs to be run over by one before they will pay attention.
heads one bit, but it'll probably hit legit ebike users.The legal ebikes aren't fast enough to be causing a major problem. After the 15.5mph cut off you are pedalling a heavy bike with no assist so ironically they are slower than a conventional bike, well unless you're going down a blooming steep hill 
I think the Op ran into a DIY kit/illegal bike. There's plenty of 48v/52v kits out there that can see an ebike hit 40mph or maintain 30mph no problem. The police are starting to crack down on them now though and they are very obvious to spot. Even if you don't get caught, a 160mm disk rotor and a 2" tyre isn't really up to stopping 120kg of bike + rider at 40mph quickly. I certainly wouldn't want a pair of jeans, t-shirt and a polystyrene helmet as my only protection crashing at that speed.
I think the Op ran into a DIY kit/illegal bike. There's plenty of 48v/52v kits out there that can see an ebike hit 40mph or maintain 30mph no problem. The police are starting to crack down on them now though and they are very obvious to spot. Even if you don't get caught, a 160mm disk rotor and a 2" tyre isn't really up to stopping 120kg of bike + rider at 40mph quickly. I certainly wouldn't want a pair of jeans, t-shirt and a polystyrene helmet as my only protection crashing at that speed.
According to this FOI request with the Met https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/...
"Deliveroo does not have any employees riding for them, they are all self-employed riders working normally on multiple apps at the same time, in fact just because they are wearing one companies uniform there is no guarantee that they are necessarily working for that company at that given time.
The company itself does not provide the bikes and it is down to the individual rider to ensure that their bike is compliant with the law. For this reason the MPS has never charged Deliveroo or its directors as a company for these offences as they would be issued to the rider at the time of stopping."
sounds like Deliveroo, etc are using employment law loopholes to divest themselves of any sort of responsibility.
"Deliveroo does not have any employees riding for them, they are all self-employed riders working normally on multiple apps at the same time, in fact just because they are wearing one companies uniform there is no guarantee that they are necessarily working for that company at that given time.
The company itself does not provide the bikes and it is down to the individual rider to ensure that their bike is compliant with the law. For this reason the MPS has never charged Deliveroo or its directors as a company for these offences as they would be issued to the rider at the time of stopping."
sounds like Deliveroo, etc are using employment law loopholes to divest themselves of any sort of responsibility.
These things are a fking nuisance in city centres. These weird fat tyred, long stemmed bikes that look like a Motocross bike and a Brompton had a love child. Only ever ridden by Uber eats and deliveroo folk. I very rarely see one being ridden on the road here in Glasgow, they are always being ridden far too quickly on pavements or through pedestrianised areas.
A few weeks ago a little girl waiting on a bus with her father outside my work was hit by one. It was charging along the pavement and the handlebar caught a strap on her bag pulling her off her feet. The rider rode off at speed so no-one could catch him.
Something desperately needs to be done about forcing them on to the roads where they should be subject to the same laws and requirements as mopeds at the very least. Having vehicles of that weight silently speeding around pedestrian areas piloted by untrained riders that don't seem to give a single fk is going to end in tragedy.
king nuisance in city centres. These weird fat tyred, long stemmed bikes that look like a Motocross bike and a Brompton had a love child. Only ever ridden by Uber eats and deliveroo folk. I very rarely see one being ridden on the road here in Glasgow, they are always being ridden far too quickly on pavements or through pedestrianised areas.A few weeks ago a little girl waiting on a bus with her father outside my work was hit by one. It was charging along the pavement and the handlebar caught a strap on her bag pulling her off her feet. The rider rode off at speed so no-one could catch him.
Something desperately needs to be done about forcing them on to the roads where they should be subject to the same laws and requirements as mopeds at the very least. Having vehicles of that weight silently speeding around pedestrian areas piloted by untrained riders that don't seem to give a single f
k is going to end in tragedy.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff