John in CR said:
dogman said:
Why don't you just admit 20 mph feels like you're crawling and you want to haul ass.
Not only does it feel like crawling, but in this tropical sun it's too friggin hot and I want the cooling breeze of at least 30. For those so concerned of the increased risk that comes with speed, I submit that 20mph is still too fast for the average Joe on a bike, and 20
kph is probably more appropriate if protecting people from themselves is the goal. My attitude is let people decide for themselves just like they must do going down any hill. Instead assign speed limits more appropriately for each roadway/pathway.
Couldn't agree more. The law is written for the average Joe. He didn't gravity race bikes when he was young, ( I did) nor did he ride a high powered motorcycle through the school zone at 90 mph, ( I did, but at midnight), nor did he take that 750 out looking for wet greasy roads so he could drift corners. ( I did)
So that average Joe may just be about at his limit with 750 watts going 20 mph. While we riders can easily handle our 40 mph bikes with decent brakes.
I do think 30 mph is a good number in the US for an ebike speed limit on the street. Even the crappy bikes can usually stop from 30, and if it's safe to drive a car through a neighborhood at 25 mph why is it dangerous to ride a bike 25 on a 25 mph street. Limiting to 20 is just silly there.
As for riding on 45 mph streets, you guys know I'm a crazed adrenaline junky but I sure stay the hell off those streets on a bike! Lucky me, I do have other routes I can take. If I ride crosscountry though, then I am on 55 mph roads with no shoulder. In that case I ride slow enough to dive into the ditch anytime I must. I've been put into a ditch many many times. Often you hear the laughter as they go by. Since those guys are doing 80 on the 55 mph road, keeping up is not the answer in NM. All you'd do is get ditched at 45 mph.
One thing is for sure though, It sure would be nice if state law in NM allowed a new category of vehicle. Light motorcycle. CC's up to 150, speed up to 50. Homebuilt bikes like ebikes and Morini's allowed if they can pass a few tests. Head and brake lights and a certain stopping distance at 30 mph. Then you could hang a licence plate on a good fast ebike and ride in the traffic if you want to. No need to take a crappy motorcycle and convert it, just to get the dang vin number. No need to hang useless pedals on it. Then riding in traffic on a 45 mph street would be possible, with a bike able to do 50 and brake lights.
As it is an ebike in NM is a moped, and the speed limit is 25. Not too bad, but 30 would be more realistic. That would make a 9c on 48v a legal bike. Watt limits are stupid. A moped can have a 5 horse motor but an ebike is limited to 1 horse? Dumb. But in NM we are mopeds, so we can put all the power we want on the bike, as long as top speed is 25.
In the end, the fed law doesn't mean squat really. The road rules are set by the states, counties, and cities law, or even park regulations for bike trails. I think a sensible law would be to allow a typical hubmotor kit on 48v to be a legal bicycle. So 1500 watts max power, 30 mph max speed, must be 16 yr old. Then tell the rider to obey all vehicle laws. Speed limits, etc. And then put up speed limit signs where needed, like a bike path shared by mom and the baby buggy. Anybody riding like a bike messenger should be ticketed for unsafe lane changes or whatever.
The big problem with too restrictive watt limits and speed is making the bike into an impractical vehicle. Essentially, you must have a toy, not a transportation device that can climb a hill. Make em toys by law, and they will be seen as useless toys forever.