I'm a Noob and I Wanna Go 50MPH

[MattyCiii]

Other than pure thrill, what is the purpose of having a bike that goes 50+ mph?

The only reason that bicycles in general aren't more popular as transportation is because they can't safely keep up with neighborhood traffic. If you want to see what I mean, go ride a pedal only bike through a big city and then ride something like a high powered e-bike or scooter that can go 35-45mph and report back on your thoughts. For me, keeping up with and having the ability to pass traffic turns something thats normally really scary into a quick, safe, fun commute. If there were more lightweight, neighborhood speed capable bikes out there on the roads, it would only get safer out there.

How do you figure itd get safer with more electric bikes out on the road when most people drive their cars like idiots as it stands right now??

Try it and see.

Have you ever had a driver pass you aggressively while bicycling? I have to say it happens far fewer when you're doing 30mph. Yes you get passed - but get passed with respect. Maybe the motorist is concerned they can't pass you in time, and has no spare capacity to be a douche. Maybe its because they aren't trapped behind someone doing 15mph, and are showing respect. Or maybe they thing - if this dude can do 30, maybe he can do 50 and chase my arse down if I drive like a dick. Ultimately I don't care about the psychology of it. The fact is, when I'm riding at 30mph, I'm passed less often and with much more care and respect.

 

[amberwolf]

Other than pure thrill, what is the purpose of having a bike that goes 50+ mph?

What's the purpose of having a car that can do 120MPH, but is only used to commute a few miles to work and get groceries and stuff? Yet lots of them can....it is simply not normally used.

My CrazyBike2 coudl probably easily go 35MPH, but I only use it at 20MPH (because that's the legal limit here--I'd probably go at least a little faster if it were allowed). However, there are traffic circumstances that happen every so often that require I be *able* to accelerate quickly to much faster than 20MPH to get the heck outta the way of some idiot that thinks they can get in front of me or pass me and turn in front of me, etc., when there is most definitely NOT time to do that--and absolutely no time for me to slow down enough to avoid collision--if I braked that hard I'd just skid and hit them anyway.

So I have to accelerate out of their way instead--and that requires the *ability* to go a LOT faster than I would normally go, so that I still have the torque at those speeds to accelerate to that faster speed very quickly.

 

[hjns]

The only reason that bicycles in general aren't more popular as transportation is because they can't safely keep up with neighborhood traffic. If you want to see what I mean, go ride a pedal only bike through a big city and then ride something like a high powered e-bike or scooter that can go 35-45mph and report back on your thoughts. For me, keeping up with and having the ability to pass traffic turns something thats normally really scary into a quick, safe, fun commute. If there were more lightweight, neighborhood speed capable bikes out there on the roads, it would only get safer out there.

Ha, this is a very US-centered view. Here in Switzerland and many parts of the Netherlands, there are more than enough bicycle paths where cars are not allowed. Therefore, the "keeping-up with other traffic" is usually not an issue here. I don't have to keep up with any traffic. Downhill, many cars are actually blocking the way for the fast lycras on their flimsy lightweight carbon 5k racebikes who like to throw themselves of a mountain at 45-50mph. The high speed bikes (electric or not) do NOT make things safer.

And I keep being surprised by statements (not just the above) that higher speed is safer. As a person with common sense, I would say that the higher the speed, the higher the kinetic energy, the more the damage. Therefore, higher speeds are less safe. A stronger bike helps reduce the chances that you will crash. Better brakes help, and so does suspension. I wear motorbike protection gear (jacket, trouser, gloves), a helmet with visor, and motor boots. After you have seen someone in the ER who crashed at 40mph without protection, you would suit up as well.

For me, the main reason for a high powered fast (45mph) bike is to commute fast on those roads where motorcycles are not allowed. We have many forest roads and single trails here where a noisy motorbike is not allowed, not wanted, and will be yelled at. With my relatively silent ebike, I have been driving on many of these roads for quite some time. The only comments that I get are positive, like: "bravo, driving up this mountain on your bike". Obviously, that is before they have noticed I have a 6kW motor.... Of the more than 100 comments received, none of them were negative. No "cheater", or whatever. The most "negative" comment was like: "it sure does look like a small motorcycle with pedals...." I can't argue with that. It does.

The main reason for getting the positive comments, is that I actually slow down enough to be able to hear them. I only speed (>30mph) where there is no-one in sight, straight road, no side-roads / crossroads, or where in general most vehicles are driving 30mph or more anyway, where it is "safe" to do so. Whenever I am on a forest trail with possible pedestrians, I will only speed when absolutely sure no other traffic is about. If there are other people, I will slow down to their pace. For pedestrians, it means I will slow down to <3mph. And, as I keep getting positive comments, which make me feel good, I will continue to do so....

 

[e-biker]

I agree that faster is safer being that the less you get passed by cages the safer your ride will be. However you must build your bike to be able to withstand speeds up to 45 mph and even faster on all type of road conditions, IMO wally world bikes just are to risky for high speed without alot of rebuilding. I like a large steel frame with double tree marzocchi forks and 2 1/5 inch hookworms this gives me good handeling and a pretty smooth ride. I have a 10 mile ride each way to work on very busy two lane roads and at most red lights I get cage drivers giving me the thumbs up and wanting me to build them one (untill I tell them the price). It is very costly to build a bike that does 45 and up that will not wobble or shake and stops! within a safe distance. I seen on a post here somewhere where a guy said that a 30 mph 1000 dollar bike will get you killed and I must agree with him. But you can build a great bike for alot less than the big producers like stealth. Just read read read all you can here before you start putting anything together and ask the pros here they have helped me alot.

 

[docnjoj]

The only reason that bicycles in general aren't more popular as transportation is because they can't safely keep up with neighborhood traffic. If you want to see what I mean, go ride a pedal only bike through a big city and then ride something like a high powered e-bike or scooter that can go 35-45mph and report back on your thoughts. For me, keeping up with and having the ability to pass traffic turns something thats normally really scary into a quick, safe, fun commute. If there were more lightweight, neighborhood speed capable bikes out there on the roads, it would only get safer out there.

Ha, this is a very US-centered view. Here in Switzerland and many parts of the Netherlands, there are more than enough bicycle paths where cars are not allowed. Therefore, the "keeping-up with other traffic" is usually not an issue here. I don't have to keep up with any traffic. Downhill, many cars are actually blocking the way for the fast lycras on their flimsy lightweight carbon 5k racebikes who like to throw themselves of a mountain at 45-50mph. The high speed bikes (electric or not) do NOT make things safer.

And I keep being surprised by statements (not just the above) that higher speed is safer. As a person with common sense, I would say that the higher the speed, the higher the kinetic energy, the more the damage. Therefore, higher speeds are less safe. A stronger bike helps reduce the chances that you will crash. Better brakes help, and so does suspension. I wear motorbike protection gear (jacket, trouser, gloves), a helmet with visor, and motor boots. After you have seen someone in the ER who crashed at 40mph without protection, you would suit up as well.

For me, the main reason for a high powered fast (45mph) bike is to commute fast on those roads where motorcycles are not allowed. We have many forest roads and single trails here where a noisy motorbike is not allowed, not wanted, and will be yelled at. With my relatively silent ebike, I have been driving on many of these roads for quite some time. The only comments that I get are positive, like: "bravo, driving up this mountain on your bike". Obviously, that is before they have noticed I have a 6kW motor.... Of the more than 100 comments received, none of them were negative. No "cheater", or whatever. The most "negative" comment was like: "it sure does look like a small motorcycle with pedals...." I can't argue with that. It does.

The main reason for getting the positive comments, is that I actually slow down enough to be able to hear them. I only speed (>30mph) where there is no-one in sight, straight road, no side-roads / crossroads, or where in general most vehicles are driving 30mph or more anyway, where it is "safe" to do so. Whenever I am on a forest trail with possible pedestrians, I will only speed when absolutely sure no other traffic is about. If there are other people, I will slow down to their pace. For pedestrians, it means I will slow down to <3mph. And, as I keep getting positive comments, which make me feel good, I will continue to do so....

I;m not sure this speed view is only US centric, Henk. We try to ride Multi Use Paths whenever we can and down here in the South there are quite a few of them. Different rules apply. We really can't go over 20 mph (about 30kph) on a bike path and must be ready to slow down, like you do, for pedestrians, dog walkers and other bicycles going in opposite direction. The path we use most is next to a fast 2 lane road with 50 mph traffic. The only separation is a little bit of grass. The real problem is the lawn care folks parking their trucks on the path itself, and sometimes we have to go around them into oncomming traffic. That is bad. If I ever get annoyed enough it is a simple task to call the Sheriff and take a photo of them parked. It is illegal, but I do know these folks also have to make a living.
otherDoc

 

[skyungjae]

I used to commute on a motorcycle, and I don't agree that going at the speed of traffic is necessarily safer for an e-bike. Sure, you don't notice those drivers that are annoyed at you when you're on a regular bike or e-bike going 15mph along side the road, but I'm pretty darned sure that it's because they don't notice or see you when you're going at the flow of traffic. Almost on every ride, some person in a car would not see me and almost run me off the road. Of course, I'm not dumb enough to cruise along in people's blind spots, so these incidents happened when I was in their field of vision.

Personally, I'd rather have someone be annoyed at me going slower on the side of the road than not notice me altogether. :wink:

 

[hjns]

I;m not sure this speed view is only US centric, Henk. We try to ride Multi Use Paths whenever we can and down here in the South there are quite a few of them. Different rules apply. We really can't go over 20 mph (about 30kph) on a bike path and must be ready to slow down, like you do, for pedestrians, dog walkers and other bicycles going in opposite direction. The path we use most is next to a fast 2 lane road with 50 mph traffic. The only separation is a little bit of grass. The real problem is the lawn care folks parking their trucks on the path itself, and sometimes we have to go around them into oncomming traffic. That is bad. If I ever get annoyed enough it is a simple task to call the Sheriff and take a photo of them parked. It is illegal, but I do know these folks also have to make a living.
otherDoc

OK. I probably need to back off a bit. So there are obviously different ways to skin a cat, aka to provide a place on the road for cars, bicycles and pedestrians. In some countries, too many roads are targeted to cars only (US, etc) whereas in other countries there are many more roads more suited for bicycles. If you have a max of 20 mph on these Multi Use Paths, then I admit that it is not well suited for ebikes. Here in Switserland and the Netherlands, there is no such restriction.

I would hesitate to get on a fast road with 50mph even with a 60mph ebike. Most 80kmh roads are not open for bicycles, whether electric or not. I would definitely feel unsafe on these roads on whatever kind of ebike. Those are roads for cars or real motorbikes. Just my feeling here...

 

[docnjoj]

I;m not sure this speed view is only US centric, Henk. We try to ride Multi Use Paths whenever we can and down here in the South there are quite a few of them. Different rules apply. We really can't go over 20 mph (about 30kph) on a bike path and must be ready to slow down, like you do, for pedestrians, dog walkers and other bicycles going in opposite direction. The path we use most is next to a fast 2 lane road with 50 mph traffic. The only separation is a little bit of grass. The real problem is the lawn care folks parking their trucks on the path itself, and sometimes we have to go around them into oncomming traffic. That is bad. If I ever get annoyed enough it is a simple task to call the Sheriff and take a photo of them parked. It is illegal, but I do know these folks also have to make a living.
otherDoc

OK. I probably need to back off a bit. So there are obviously different ways to skin a cat, aka to provide a place on the road for cars, bicycles and pedestrians. In some countries, too many roads are targeted to cars only (US, etc) whereas in other countries there are many more roads more suited for bicycles. If you have a max of 20 mph on these Multi Use Paths, then I admit that it is not well suited for ebikes. Here in Switserland and the Netherlands, there is no such restriction.

I would hesitate to get on a fast road with 50mph even with a 60mph ebike. Most 80kmh roads are not open for bicycles, whether electric or not. I would definitely feel unsafe on these roads on whatever kind of ebike. Those are roads for cars or real motorbikes. Just my feeling here...

I wish the MUT's were away from the road like some in Georgia. Unfortunately is is a lot cheaper to run the path at the side of the 2 or 4 lane. Our Mayor chose the cheapest way, namely to paint pictures of bicycles on the town streets and paint some lines on the sides, thus narrowing the traffic lanes. I refuse to ride on these because the cars don't have enough room. Crazy!
otherDoc

 

[mlt34]

I wish the MUT's were away from the road like some in Georgia. Unfortunately is is a lot cheaper to run the path at the side of the 2 or 4 lane

In Tel Aviv they have an interesting solution that I haven't yet seen in the US, where the bicycle lane is still on the side of the road, sharing the same strip of pavement, but with a strip of parallel parking separating the traffic from the bicycle lane.

While I initially enjoyed these bike lanes and the obvious physical buffer they provide, an occasional problem is that when the parallel parking spots are full (and they nearly always are; Tel Aviv is essentially New York City but with palm trees) it becomes impossible to see when someone jaywalks from the opposite side of the road and then cuts into the bike lane. I've nearly smeared a few unsuspecting jaywalkers, though I guess that is much easier to do on an ebike than a standard bicycle.

 

[docnjoj]

I wish the MUT's were away from the road like some in Georgia. Unfortunately is is a lot cheaper to run the path at the side of the 2 or 4 lane

In Tel Aviv they have an interesting solution that I haven't yet seen in the US, where the bicycle lane is still on the side of the road, sharing the same strip of pavement, but with a strip of parallel parking separating the traffic from the bicycle lane.

While I initially enjoyed these bike lanes and the obvious physical buffer they provide, an occasional problem is that when the parallel parking spots are full (and they nearly always are; Tel Aviv is essentially New York City but with palm trees) it becomes impossible to see when someone jaywalks from the opposite side of the road and then cuts into the bike lane. I've nearly smeared a few unsuspecting jaywalkers, though I guess that is much easier to do on an ebike than a standard bicycle.

That is a really clever idea! You do need wider streets to do it since ours really have no room to park. In fact on many of the town streets with houses on them you must park in the driveway. Streets are too narrow and overnight parking will be ticketed! All this in a picturesque small southern town.
otherDoc

 

[RLD70]

I wish the MUT's were away from the road like some in Georgia. Unfortunately is is a lot cheaper to run the path at the side of the 2 or 4 lane

In Tel Aviv they have an interesting solution that I haven't yet seen in the US, where the bicycle lane is still on the side of the road, sharing the same strip of pavement, but with a strip of parallel parking separating the traffic from the bicycle lane.

While I initially enjoyed these bike lanes and the obvious physical buffer they provide, an occasional problem is that when the parallel parking spots are full (and they nearly always are; Tel Aviv is essentially New York City but with palm trees) it becomes impossible to see when someone jaywalks from the opposite side of the road and then cuts into the bike lane. I've nearly smeared a few unsuspecting jaywalkers, though I guess that is much easier to do on an ebike than a standard bicycle.

That is a really clever idea! You do need wider streets to do it since ours really have no room to park. In fact on many of the town streets with houses on them you must park in the driveway. Streets are too narrow and overnight parking will be ticketed! All this in a picturesque small southern town.
otherDoc

Ill 2nd that. That is one hell of an idea for US streets.

 

[ian.mich]

I'll have to go get a pic of Roncesvales, we have bike lanes on the side of the road that cross directly through platforms meant for peds to walk onto streetcars

 

[Ykick]

Ill 2nd that. That is one hell of an idea for US streets.

NYC's trying it on 8th Ave but they can't keep pedestrians out of the bike lane. Those are parking spots where that truck is parked and the traffic flows (yeah right) similar to the TelAviv lanes.

 

[wesnewell]

The cops need to start writing lots of tickets to the peds in the bike lanes. Otherwise this will never work.

 

[mlt34]

The other problem with our Tel Aviv bike lanes is that because they are bordered by the parallel parking, every now and again an asshole parks head on into the bike lane. I guess for normal bikes it's only slightly annoying, but for electrics having to slow down from 40 or 50 kph to hop up onto the curb and go around the car, it makes me always want to keep a few eggs in a handlebar holster for such cars...

 

[oldbiker]

You are aware that cars, motorcycles, and trucks, etc., can accomplish your desires, right?
But on a bike, in traffic, a pebble can send you to meet your maker. But if you persist, RIP.

 

[floppy2floppy]

I road my electric bike in New York last year, it is a very annoying place to ride. The pedestrians are more aggressive than the cars.

 

[mlt34]

I would love to see the end all, perfect solution to a bike lane that keeps cars, cyclist and pedestrians from intentionally or unintentionally pissing each other off. So far the Tel Aviv design is one of the closest I've seen but still suffers the peek-a-boo pedestrian and whack-a-mole car door issue. I have to believe that with enough trial and error, some city could figure it out. Of course we'll probably have destroyed our planet before that happens anyways...

 

[Ykick]

The cops need to start writing lots of tickets to the peds in the bike lanes. Otherwise this will never work.

That's cute, spent much time in NYC?

State law - "....drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians..." Doesn't matter if they're walking against a light and/or traffic has right of way. If you hit one, you're at fault.

 

[wesnewell]

Actually I stayed in Manhattan for about 7 months straight back in the mid 70's. There were no bike lanes then. So you're saying I can jump out in front of car in NYC and it's automatically the driver fault if he hits me. I don't think so. Just an urban myth. The cops can issue jaywalking tickets. They can also issue tickets for obstructing traffic if they want to. They should also paint no pedestrian signs in the bike lanes. The city can do whatever the heck they want to do within state law.

 

[Ykick]

Actually I stayed in Manhattan for about 7 months straight back in the mid 70's. There were no bike lanes then. So you're saying I can jump out in front of car in NYC and it's automatically the driver fault if he hits me. I don't think so. Just an urban myth. The cops can issue jaywalking tickets. They can also issue tickets for obstructing traffic if they want to. They should also paint no pedestrian signs in the bike lanes. The city can do whatever the heck they want to do within state law.

Don't be silly or put words in my posts. All I'm saying is that after riding nearly everyday in midtown for 8 years I deal with plenty of these signs and the peds who see 'em too:


Sure, cops can write tickets for lots and lots of things and that's cute to think they will because you say so. May I suggest you attempt another go here and run for Mayor this Fall? I hear there's an opening...

 

[doctorGONZO]

Other than pure thrill, what is the purpose of having a bike that goes 50+ mph?

BINGO!

I am an old time two wheel rider, motorscooters and motorcycles long ago and far away when in my teens and early twenties. 30k or so. Now I drive my pickup truck but I would greatly prefer the economy and freedom of a bike.

I live on a State Highway with a speed limit of 55MPH going south 7 miles to one village and 55MPH going north about one mile to a lower speed limit of 45MPH in another village. It would be too dangerous to go less than 45MPH in the 55MPH zones. Believe me. And there are no "back roads" only the highway.

If I had an ebike or a motorbike that would give me 50MPH I would feel reasonably safe about flowing with traffic until I could get to the safety zone of one of the lower speed limit zones..

 

[hjns]

I would love to see the end all, perfect solution to a bike lane that keeps cars, cyclist and pedestrians from intentionally or unintentionally pissing each other off. So far the Tel Aviv design is one of the closest I've seen but still suffers the peek-a-boo pedestrian and whack-a-mole car door issue. I have to believe that with enough trial and error, some city could figure it out. Of course we'll probably have destroyed our planet before that happens anyways...

Man, you live in a different world..... This is my world:

Cities in the Netherlands

Amsterdam

Den Haag

Rotterdam

Amersfoort

Cities in Germany

Belin 1930

Frankfurt

München

 

[docnjoj]

Aw man! All it takes is money and the will! I'm afraid this country is out of money and certainly does not have the will. Those bike lanes are gorgeous!
otherDoc
Some of those lanes still could get you squashed but I assume Europeans have more belief in the survival of cyclists than drivers in the US. Maybe some laws too?

 

[leffex]

I would like to go 43Mph for a mile of roadway designated at that speed. Cars do 40-50 on that road, a few 100mph 11pm in the night.
Traffic doubled from 2012.12 to 2013.01 because of newly induced tolls in the west. (Gothenburg, Sweden)
When the new runway(26,5m$) is finished in the end of 2013 the speed will increase up to 56mph as well as increasing traffic on my road stretch.

For my own safety I need to go fast, only because a cheap bike lane is not being build

1 mile cheapskate road is all I need.
- Could serve to be a very high cost saving for the community and communities around that area affecting 50 thousand people living in the area.
- Cost of implementation: 40,000$ ( shared between EU 25% ,
Swedish state 25% , and last 50% shared between the two neighboring municipalities)
- Project status. High status in 2009 bicycle municipality review.
- Roadway stretch: http://goo.gl/maps/Vi2Ol

The county have a plan of building 62 miles biking lane until 2021 or I thought it was 2016 last I checked but but...

I would have loved to have bike lanes like they have in Netherlands/Holland also in my country.

Gothenburg commuter bike videos. No high speed lanes here, no´no
http://gbgcyklaren.com/