this post was submitted on 01 Jan 2025
88 points (98.9% liked)

micromobility - Ebikes, scooters, longboards: Whatever floats your goat, this is micromobility

2407 readers
170 users here now

Ebikes, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, longboards, eboards, motorcycles, skates, unicycles: Whatever floats your goat, this is all things micromobility!

"Transportation using lightweight vehicles such as bicycles or scooters, especially electric ones that may be borrowed as part of a self-service rental program in which people rent vehicles for short-term use within a town or city.

micromobility is seen as a potential solution to moving people more efficiently around cities"

Feel free to also check out

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

It's a little sad that we need to actually say this, but:

Don't be an asshole or you will be permanently banned.

Respectful debate is totally OK, criticizing a product is fine, but being verbally abusive will not be tolerated.

Focus on discussing the idea, not attacking the person.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Last September, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law SB-1271, which redefines and adds to several electric bicycle regulations in...

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 12 points 3 days ago (2 children)

I imagine it's to stop them being used like motorcycles? Can't say why, maybe it's for registration / taxation purposes?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago

My nephew is 12 and has one of these with a throttle that can go over 35mph. His parents let him ride it anywhere (fucking irresponsible, but don’t get me started).

The fact is, because it looks like a bicycle, he’s essentially able to ride around like he’s on a motorcycle, even though he’s too young to have a drivers license and has no formal training in rules of the road.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Ok, but they really can't be used as motorcycles, regardless. You're pedalling 99% of the time, and to have any respectable range your legs are providing the majority of the power.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 day ago* (last edited 11 hours ago) (1 children)

Electric vehicles with a throttle (what the law is targeting) can absolutely be used as motorcycles. Hence why CA feels motorcycle-like vehicles need to be reclassified. What the law is targeting are functionally motorcycles/mopeds with pedals attached.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I have one of those and have thousands of miles recorded on it. It's been my primary method of commuting to work for the past 1.5 years. For the battery to last the 40 mile round trip, my legs are the primary driver.

They don't really work as motorcycles because the throttle cuts off at 20 mph. Short of adding more heavy batteries (thereby requiring a beefier motorcycle motor), they don't have the range to be a motorcycle.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

If your legs are the primary driver then you do not have the type of vehicle the law is targeting.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I have a class 3 ebike, which is exactly the class of vehicle that this law is targeting.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Here in Melbourne, Australia, they use them like motorcycles everywhere.

Every single food panda, or other delivery rider is on an e bike with throttle, and they never peddle.

They ride at full speed, on the roads, like motorcycles.

It's totally doable. Thousands are doing it every day here.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

Ok, but these are US street legal ebikes.

I have put thousands of miles on my class 3 as my primary commute. Definitely pedal powered with some motorized assistance.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago

Perhaps with your preferred brand(s) of ebikes. This law is targeting Super73 and similar brands that advertise and promote post-sale "off-road" or "unlimited" modifications. These modified bikes have been a nuisance on public trails for a few years now.