ShadowZone

ShadowZone , 1 month ago

No, no and no. In our country, there's a loophole in traffic regulation allowing for anything under 25kph on bike paths if it's electric powered. This resulted in a super dangerous situation for normal cyclists. I commute by normal bike and believe my it's terrible:

• food delivery guys switched to electric scooters (think Vespa) and clog bike paths. These things are way too heavy in case of a collision with a pedestrian or cyclist.
• the 25kph speed limit is not observed! Either the manufacturers don't care or the drivers tweak their rides.
• the acceleration is way too sudden. Even a regular E-Bike needs to ramp up to speed. And you see when the driver engages his drivetrain by way of them moving their legs. With a throttle you just have a lump of mass that suddenly jumps forward. Super unpredictable.

So now we basically have way too big, way too heavy and way too quick objects on bike paths endangering everyone else.

There needs to be strict mass limits for vehicles allowed on bicycle paths. There need to be acceleration limits. There need to be mandatory checks for pedal-less ebikes. If a bike from a manufacturer is found that can exceed the speed limit, there need to be existentially threatening fines. Because their products are threatening lives!

ShadowZone , 1 month ago

Nope, Austria.
I can imagine they have the same problem in Amsterdam as we have here in Vienna.