As always, the pedestrian is the loser in the end. Now that it's winter here in Toronto those e-bikes with huge fat tires seem to be everywhere downtown (mostly, but not exclusively, delivery drivers).
A couple days ago one ripped past me on the sidewalk, then weaved through a crosswalk filled with pedestrians at high speed. Its giant tires looked like they belonged on a car, and the frame itself was also enormous, with big flat paneled sections of metal. The handlebars were level with my shoulders. wouldn't be surprised if the rider plus vehicle weighed 250 lbs or more. A pedestrian collision could easily be fatal even at a lower speed. Calling that thing a "bike" is really stretching the limits of reality.
But as with everything related to Toronto traffic: rules and vehicle classes and other regulations are pointless when there is zero enforcement. Seeing adults riding regular bikes on crowded sidewalks angers me, but with these things, the selfishness escalates to another level.
One thing that really changed during my 10 years in NYC was when citi-bikes became quite powerful e-bikes. The unfortunate (unforeseen?) issue with this, is that suddenly you had a lot of people that had never been on a bike before (why do it when you have to peddle yourself, seems to be the common theme there) going 20-25mph, unaware of other bikers, pedestrians, or anything else around them. Not holding their lanes, not orienting themselves in traffic, not knowing how to gauge their speed, no understanding the timing of traffic lights; all of which made it quite dangerous for everyone around them.
If a vehicle can propel you to greater speed, then you can make that same vehicle go on its own, you should need a license for it because you don't understand the power of that vehicle. Those of us who have biked since being kids have learned over time to deal with moving through the city at greater and greater speeds. What to be aware of, to look over your shoulder and actually use the information to determine if you can pull out. To understand if you will be able to just make the light or you will just make it in time for pedestrians to step out in front of you. That no matter if you're the greatest biker in the world, if you get into it with a car, you will lose; and that also goes for anyone else that you might push into a car because you're not able to handle biking at this speed.
Ages ago, in Germany, moped/scooter riders and bicyclists shared one side of cycle lanes, while pedestrians were assigned the adjoining lane of the shared pathways, but then bicycles tended to be for leisurely riding, had fewer gears, and were ridden carefully and slowly past pedestrians, with friendly bell ringing before they passed them! Moped/scooter riders tended to be fewer but also fairly leisurely, even when mopeds were being used for commuting or to go into the city centre. It was the culture of the day. I know it sounds unbelievable! Very few people wore sports gear to cycle either. It was the norm to wear comfortable clothing for pedalling and there was little competitiveness with regard to kit, or much time pressure - journey time was second to expected speed, which was easy.
I am a motorcyclist who lived in Europe for many years. I have ridden my motorcycle from London to Russia, and my bicycle from London to Paris
Simply put, eBkies *are* motorcycles - i.e. motorized bicycles. That's how motorcycles started - with smaller motors that gradually became more powerful - requiring stricter regulations and licensing
Australia now has special driver licensing for supercars - and the UK and others have graduated licensing requirements for motorized two-wheelers that relate to engine size and/or power. Unfortunately, the US is a hodgepodge - with at least two states not even requiring helmets - so good luck and stay safe. I fear progress will only be made when some famous person (or politician's) child is killed or maimed by a rogue eBiker
Makes sense to me. I was once an avid cyclist. I could reach 20 mph on a good day, on open road, and a little downhill grade, but I also didn't have to contend with e-bikes. I'm no longer riding, but reading this article, it makes sense to constrain this evolutionary curve now, while we, perhaps, still can.
I agree. The problem getting more attention here in NYC is the fire hazard of uncertified Li-ion batteries. But overwhelmingly ebikes here in Brooklyn are food delivery services. While I don't get into the controversy as to whether bicycles should have dedicated separated lanes, I will say that the design in NYC is awful, with a line of parked cars between the roadway and the bike lane, with the sidewalk opposite the bike lane. The mother of one of my daughter's friends was killed by an ebike as she crossed past the line of parked cars.
The other thing is enforcement. Ebikes are allowed in bike lanes here (class 1, 2, and 3, up to 25 mph); "mopeds" (electric or gas) class A, B, and C may NOT ride in bike lanes, are supposed to be registered and have license plates. But they routinely ride in bike lanes and very few have license plates.
Full disclosure: I know Gersh Kuntzman (yes, his real name). He's a good guy, and quite a character.
Gersh is indeed a good guy; I have chatted with him. I wish he would stop his license plate un-defacing thing; so many Americans have guns! I worry about his safety.
I've seen that. He was my tenant for almost 12 years. He's bigger than I am, but not that much bigger. I saw a video where he defaced a police car plate.
As always, the pedestrian is the loser in the end. Now that it's winter here in Toronto those e-bikes with huge fat tires seem to be everywhere downtown (mostly, but not exclusively, delivery drivers).
A couple days ago one ripped past me on the sidewalk, then weaved through a crosswalk filled with pedestrians at high speed. Its giant tires looked like they belonged on a car, and the frame itself was also enormous, with big flat paneled sections of metal. The handlebars were level with my shoulders. wouldn't be surprised if the rider plus vehicle weighed 250 lbs or more. A pedestrian collision could easily be fatal even at a lower speed. Calling that thing a "bike" is really stretching the limits of reality.
But as with everything related to Toronto traffic: rules and vehicle classes and other regulations are pointless when there is zero enforcement. Seeing adults riding regular bikes on crowded sidewalks angers me, but with these things, the selfishness escalates to another level.
One thing that really changed during my 10 years in NYC was when citi-bikes became quite powerful e-bikes. The unfortunate (unforeseen?) issue with this, is that suddenly you had a lot of people that had never been on a bike before (why do it when you have to peddle yourself, seems to be the common theme there) going 20-25mph, unaware of other bikers, pedestrians, or anything else around them. Not holding their lanes, not orienting themselves in traffic, not knowing how to gauge their speed, no understanding the timing of traffic lights; all of which made it quite dangerous for everyone around them.
If a vehicle can propel you to greater speed, then you can make that same vehicle go on its own, you should need a license for it because you don't understand the power of that vehicle. Those of us who have biked since being kids have learned over time to deal with moving through the city at greater and greater speeds. What to be aware of, to look over your shoulder and actually use the information to determine if you can pull out. To understand if you will be able to just make the light or you will just make it in time for pedestrians to step out in front of you. That no matter if you're the greatest biker in the world, if you get into it with a car, you will lose; and that also goes for anyone else that you might push into a car because you're not able to handle biking at this speed.
Ages ago, in Germany, moped/scooter riders and bicyclists shared one side of cycle lanes, while pedestrians were assigned the adjoining lane of the shared pathways, but then bicycles tended to be for leisurely riding, had fewer gears, and were ridden carefully and slowly past pedestrians, with friendly bell ringing before they passed them! Moped/scooter riders tended to be fewer but also fairly leisurely, even when mopeds were being used for commuting or to go into the city centre. It was the culture of the day. I know it sounds unbelievable! Very few people wore sports gear to cycle either. It was the norm to wear comfortable clothing for pedalling and there was little competitiveness with regard to kit, or much time pressure - journey time was second to expected speed, which was easy.
I am a motorcyclist who lived in Europe for many years. I have ridden my motorcycle from London to Russia, and my bicycle from London to Paris
Simply put, eBkies *are* motorcycles - i.e. motorized bicycles. That's how motorcycles started - with smaller motors that gradually became more powerful - requiring stricter regulations and licensing
Australia now has special driver licensing for supercars - and the UK and others have graduated licensing requirements for motorized two-wheelers that relate to engine size and/or power. Unfortunately, the US is a hodgepodge - with at least two states not even requiring helmets - so good luck and stay safe. I fear progress will only be made when some famous person (or politician's) child is killed or maimed by a rogue eBiker
Makes sense to me. I was once an avid cyclist. I could reach 20 mph on a good day, on open road, and a little downhill grade, but I also didn't have to contend with e-bikes. I'm no longer riding, but reading this article, it makes sense to constrain this evolutionary curve now, while we, perhaps, still can.
I agree. The problem getting more attention here in NYC is the fire hazard of uncertified Li-ion batteries. But overwhelmingly ebikes here in Brooklyn are food delivery services. While I don't get into the controversy as to whether bicycles should have dedicated separated lanes, I will say that the design in NYC is awful, with a line of parked cars between the roadway and the bike lane, with the sidewalk opposite the bike lane. The mother of one of my daughter's friends was killed by an ebike as she crossed past the line of parked cars.
The other thing is enforcement. Ebikes are allowed in bike lanes here (class 1, 2, and 3, up to 25 mph); "mopeds" (electric or gas) class A, B, and C may NOT ride in bike lanes, are supposed to be registered and have license plates. But they routinely ride in bike lanes and very few have license plates.
Full disclosure: I know Gersh Kuntzman (yes, his real name). He's a good guy, and quite a character.
Gersh is indeed a good guy; I have chatted with him. I wish he would stop his license plate un-defacing thing; so many Americans have guns! I worry about his safety.
I've seen that. He was my tenant for almost 12 years. He's bigger than I am, but not that much bigger. I saw a video where he defaced a police car plate.