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e-bike commuting

bccap said:
There are three classes . Class 1 which is pedal assist only . That means that you do not have a power only option . Class 2 which differs between Canada and the U.S. .... In Canada it means a motor of 500 watts or less that can be operated with either pedal assist or power only and cannot exceed 32 kph ...... And Class 3 which in Canada can exceed 32kph and is classified as a motorcycle requiring license registration and insurance . I don't believe Class 3 does that in the U.S. but Mason would know for sure ..... Using the pedal assist gives you more battery range as well as some exercise .....
Click to expand...
If one gets tired (or lazy) on a class 1, what happens? Can you lift your legs out of the way and the pedals would rotate on their own?

I'm not really looking yet, but I've accepted that it's going to happen sooner or later.
 
Rob, both mine and Garth's ebikes are of the pedaled variety. They have pedal assist at five different levels. Mine also has a thumb twist throttle, cruise control, etc. (I am not sure about Garth's). I bought this bike to ride (as in pedal) 16 miles to work, and the pedal assist makes what would be maybe 15 mph 24 mph (more if I want, but that is the ideal speed), so I can get to work much quicker. On the way home, if it's been a long day, I put it on PA5 and spin home at 35 mph with low effort.

Class 3 ebikes (mine is one) require a motorcycle license to operate, and once you exceed 28 mph, you need to move out of the bicycle lane.
 
Rob S. said:
If one gets tired (or lazy) on a class 1, what happens? Can you lift your legs out of the way and the pedals would rotate on their own?

I'm not really looking yet, but I've accepted that it's going to happen sooner or later.
Click to expand...
If you have a cadence sensor, all you have to do is spin the pedals the slightest amount and the PA will take the bike to the limit of its setting.
 
Ran into a guy in Indy over the weekend with a 4kw ebike pulling a bicycle trailer. He had it WAY overloaded and has broken the tongue on it twice since leaving Cleveland two months ago. He thinks he's going to make it to Quartzite, AZ on it, I told him to ditch the trailer and head back home before the weather turns. He ain't very bright to start with.
 
Rob S. said:
If one gets tired (or lazy) on a class 1, what happens? Can you lift your legs out of the way and the pedals would rotate on their own?

I'm not really looking yet, but I've accepted that it's going to happen sooner or later.
Click to expand...
The best quality bikes are Class 1 ... Specialized, Gazelle, etc. They use the best electronics and are mid-drive . Bosch and Shimano electrics . Mason and I have hub drives . I originally wanted a Gazelle but the shop quickly pointed me in a different direction .I have two leg aneurysms and limited range for walking . I also use the bike for Costco runs and Vancouver is hilly . It would have been difficult with pedal assist only for me to get up the hill from Costco with loaded panniers ..... Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't remember a lot of hills in NYC and from talking with other rider groups I belong to you have an excellent bike infrastructure { enclosed bike lanes } ..... We do live in similar environments . I live in the downtown core of Vancouver . And like you we have an good infrastructure of bike lanes .... I rarely need to venture on a road ..... If you get one the first thing you'll notice is when you go out for a couple of hours ride half an hour later you will have covered what you thought would take a couple of hours ..... Trust me on this... You're going to love it .....

My advice would be : If you are heavy and want the bike to have the capacity to haul loaded panniers go with Class 2 ..... If you want the best of quality parts and don't need the bike to be a workhorse go with Class 1 ..... But remember with Class 1 . You won't need to pedal hard but you will need to pedal ......
 
GS1150Pilot said:
...once you exceed 28 mph, you need to move out of the bicycle lane.
Click to expand...

Someone should make that announcement in Manhattan.

Standing at the curb, waiting to cross the street...wham! Your nose could be taken off by one of those things flying by. When you got hit by my Z1, at least you heard it coming. 😁
 
e-bikes are everywhere in my area. The bike rack at the local school went from being a cobweb catcher a few years ago to overflowing now. I wonder if any young riders will turn into motorcyclists in the future? I suspect that some will.

Related but different, there are these unicycle devices I see cruising around these days. Not a Segway, much larger. They move crazy fast, and the users I've seen are delivery guys. Most users are well decked out in protective gear, which makes sense given the speed they move at and the operator's vulnerability.
 
I'm quite glad to see them being accepted and more importantly being used. The only gripe I have when playing the part of a grumpy old man is people using them at campgrounds. Ebike users and also bicyclists are renoun for believing that traffic rules don't seem to apply to them, most notably speed.
 
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