Wednesday, August 20, 2025
A modified electric assisted pedal cycle with that can reach 80mph has been seized in Sunderland (a port city in England) because the pearl clutching old maids there are freaked out at anything over 15 mph. Yes, they passed a law
That's crazy, you can go faster than 15 mph with just pedals and no motor!
ReplyDeletenot near Sunderland... they have a speed limit, and police, who seem to be actively preventing the speed freaks who dare to move faster than 15 mph. Oh, it's evident that they aren't going to "stand for it". I think the original article stated they seized this bike, because it was modified. Not because it was speeding. So, even having the ability to outrun the cops is a crime, and that's England and it's old fuddy duddy rulers for you!
DeleteAt what point does an e-bike become a motorcycle?
ReplyDeleteA 15 mph threshold may seem too low, but 80 mph is certainly too high.
The distinction matters: bicycles and motorcycles are governed by very different rules. That difference impacts where they can be ridden, what insurance is required, and even the minimum age for riders.
you are all over the place on your comments.
DeleteAn ebike will never be a motorcycle. There is no motor.
See?
And the 15 to 80 issue? Isn't grounds for seizure, as this article stated, this bike was spotted, and seized. Not ticketed for speeding.
SO, this English town isn't just outraged about speeding, they are preventing the speeding, by making it illegal to have the ability to achieve more than 15 mph, and a human can easily pedal a road bike to 20 mph.
So, since you state that the distinction matters, how about you start, with showing in your writing that you find it matters, and write clearly with those distinctions in mind?
Onto the fact that you then, jump entirely into another a debate over bikes, and motorbikes, and ignore that this is a third thing, an electric motor driven bike, nothing you say about motorbikes matters. This isn't one.
As to where an electric bike can be ridden, there is zero distinction on the legal paths, as they haven't legally been recognized as a separate new thing. They are in the category of bicycles, and so, there is no different rule. There is no insurance required. There is no minimum age for an electric bike.
Looking at everything you wrote, there isn't but one pertinent fact in it.
80 mph is too high for a safe ride on an electric bike. The tires aren't rated for it, not perfectly round, and balanced on the rim, for 80 mph. But you didn't even mention that.
Are you ok? You seem angry
DeleteI'm fine, enjoying the day, but not your rambling off topic. Try, do give it a go, to stick to relevant, pertinent, on topic discussion? And figure out a username.
Delete