scooterbikes and their bogus cranks/pedals

sk8norcal

sk8norcal

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Joined
May 16, 2010
Messages
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Location
San Jose, CA
Do you find it awkward riding your electric bike (ebike) with the pedals on. They are a bit of a safety issue if you asked me. They rub on the ground as your lean into a turn. They also make the overall width of the ebike wider and hit the curb if you have to ride real close to it. From what I understand some police officers have told ebike riders that without the pedals on you face a fine of $5000.00. How stupid is that rule. Be safe. Here is a better way to ride with the pedals on. What do you think?
Click to expand...

[youtube]pPGpQbujLZg[/youtube]
 
You said it, scooter bikes, bogus. Back in the day, I had a gas motobecane moped and the pedals were located better, and didn't strike the ground constantly. They weren't stupidly wide either. But nowdays on the scooterlike ebikes, they are stupidly wide and low.

You want to ride with cops not bothering you, you need this.
 
I used to quail hunt using a motorcycle to get to the field. It was great. With a shotgun slung over my shoulder, I got great courtesy from the other riders, and it was allways my turn at the stop sign. 8)

Same thing for the rifle in the window of the pickup, MUCH less tailgating with a rifle showing .
 
I've always figured you should take the pedals off mount sprockets where the pedals are then build a pedal shaft on top of the battery storage area. Your legs are no longer on the outside of the bike in case of accident. You could also take the opportunity to increase you mechanical advantage or add gears.
 
^ why bother? people who buy scooterbikes are not planning on pedaling it...

they like the better ergonomics of a scooter vs a regular bicycle riding position.
(that's why I like the A2B, a bicycle with scooterlike seating position)



from one reseller,

http://www.goelectricscooters.com/products/x-treme-xb-502-electric-bicycle-moped-blue

The XB-502 Electric Bike is the ultimate alternative for commuters that need a quick way to travel but do not want the expense of operating a vehicle or motorcycle. The XB-502 is classified as an electric bicycle (since pedals can be used) but the pedals do not need to be installed and this allows it to operate like an electric moped motorcycle but you do not need to register it or carry a drivers license to operate it.
Click to expand...
 
Most laws that I've seen specify that an ebike needs to have operational pedals.
 
V_Mark said:
Most laws that I've seen specify that an ebike needs to have operational pedals.
Click to expand...
there is an e-bike[scooter] group where i live..... i dont think any of them are physicaly capable of using pedals... they cant get a drivers license,so they drive scooters :mrgreen:
 
Exactly, a cop sees you and wants to see pedals, or a licence. Or in the case of some drunks, they see you at all, you shit out of luck, period. Depends on the person, and the cops.

The guy selling the bogus scoots will tell you all kinds of half truths to make the sale. What you can do in your locality varies greatly. Some places don't care what you do as long as you don't speed and stop at the lights and signs. Other places are on an anti scooter looking bike crusade.
 
I just object to salespeople that say you can take the pedals off and still have a bicycle. Every motor vehicle statute I ever read defines bike by having pedal proplusion avaliable. Cops may care about that, especially if they know you from Dui's.

I have a commuter I pedal constantly, and a dirt ride bike that I seldom pedal. But both can be pedaled anytime.

They are mo PEDS.
 
I believe there are separate rules governing mopeds,
http://www.mopedarmy.com/wiki/Moped_laws

not sure if cranks are required,
(i am guess it varies from state to state and countries)

http://www.heeters.com/mopeds.shtml
All Tomos mopeds are available in two versions, with pedals or with foot pegs and kick start.
Click to expand...


what is the point for having cranks on gas mopeds ?
bogus...


and sales people are always bogus... :D
 
sk8norcal said:
...what is the point for having cranks on gas mopeds ?
bogus...


and sales people are always bogus... :D
Click to expand...

Ever ridden a crappy old stock moped? Lots of times you need the pedals to start the acceleration. Though they're basically useless if you were actually trying to pedal a non-running moped. You'd be faster walking and pushing the moped.

The bogus salesman thing is pretty dangerous because so many people getting into scooters and mopeds don't know jack and actually depend on the salesmen. However, I do commend the guy who sold me my Honda Ruckus 50cc. He admitted up front that although most everyone rides without a plate in my state because they're just 50cc, you legally need one for the Ruckus since it goes too fast for the other section of the statutes that most ignore. I already knew that, but am happy he wasn't just trying to make a sale at any cost.
 
Be carefull what you wish for. Once they revise the law, you know what they'll add while doing it. Ebikes limited to 200w, All mopeds 10 mph slower, new higher fees for the licence plate, only registered brands recognized by DMV, the whole make you puke list.

New Mexico has a wonderful law. Short simple, and allows me 30 mph with no registration. Anybody wants to change it I hope they get a rope!

Not worth it to let em start changing the laws, seriously. I believe you can find folding pedals though.
 
Poor cops, have to look close and notice the thing isn't going 40 mph to tell it's just an ebike, boo hoo. :lol:

But they should come with folding pedals, so the rider can just fold em up and never know they are there. Better still, make them slimmer like the motobecane moped I once had. Then it can be pedaled, and the pedals don't stick out stupidly far. It IS a stupid design in my opinion. The foot board does not need to be so wide.

Refreshing though, to see a cop or other person that isn't complaining about the scoots because fools ride them stupid. Then they blame the bike instead of the rider and want em banned.

Here in NM, the cops don't have that problem. They simply ignore whether you have a plate or not. Once you crash, and are getting your DUI, they finally notice you drove that car with no plate for years.
 
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