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E-bikes show distinct pattern of severe injuries
Reuters ^ | 2/15/23 | Vishwanda Chander

Posted on 02/15/2023 3:11:24 PM PST by DallasBiff

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To: Jonty30

Don’t park your e-bike near or in your house. YouTube has video of one sending wisps of smoke a minute before it erupts (big-time) with fire.

A news story covers a dozen suffocated from fire fumes among parked e-bikes in India.


21 posted on 02/15/2023 3:53:27 PM PST by Does so (What distinguishes today's Russian aggression from that of the USSR?)
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To: FLNittany

Sometimes people have trouble learning a new type of bicycle, too. I recall my dad, who had never ridden a bicycle that didn’t have a coaster brake, trying out my brother’s new 10-speed that had hand brakes. He was still pedaling backward when he hit the fence. Much hilarity.


22 posted on 02/15/2023 3:55:34 PM PST by HartleyMBaldwin
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To: Jonty30

Some ebike batteries are removable.

We live in a fairly hilly area. My wife has had knee surgery and, while she loves to cycle, couldn’t make the uphill climbs. Her ebike has let her cycle again.

Yes, you can go without pedaling. Yes, you can go too fast. You can go too fast in your car, too. It does take a little getting used to, but it is fun and it lets you get exercise without overdoing it.


23 posted on 02/15/2023 3:58:51 PM PST by Crusher138 ("Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just")
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To: DallasBiff
Also, regular bikes generally don't burst into flames and burn down your house.
24 posted on 02/15/2023 4:06:38 PM PST by Bubba_Leroy (Dementia Joe is Not My President)
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To: DallasBiff

Our family owns five e-bikes that we ride around the San Francisco area - I bought mine b/c it is impossible to park anywhere and it is easier to get around on my bike, there is plenty of bike parking everywhere and the city is bike friendly, unlike the town I live in.

We know they are being banned on some bikeways - I believe b/c of speed - and my son told me they are banned on some group rides such as the great CicLAvia in Los Angeles - we took them anyway and no one said a thing.

The bikes are pedal assist - meaning if you don’t pedal, the bike stops. I cannot convince my neighbor that my bike does not have a throttle on it.

Anyway, they are massively fun and we have had many family excursions on them - my Son-in-law has an e-bike with a bucket in the front so the dogs can come along.


25 posted on 02/15/2023 4:18:54 PM PST by Bon of Babble (Rigged Elections have Consequences)
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To: Jonty30

The batteries are removable - they go so many miles before they are replaced - my e bike is two years old and has gotten heavy usage (our family owns five) - and not one of us has had to change out the battery yet.


26 posted on 02/15/2023 4:21:35 PM PST by Bon of Babble (Rigged Elections have Consequences)
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To: Persevero

Oh, I’m sorry to hear this. Bikes are NOT allowed on sidewalks in my town, or skateboard or anything else with wheels.

My friend’s son had to go to court when he was caught riding a skateboard on the sidewalk - judge chewed him out good.

Doesn’t stop idiots from riding bikes FAST on sidewalks, my elderly mother almost got mowed down by one. I’ve been known to scream at them if I see them - embarrassed my husband to death, even though he was in a wheelchair and was vulnerable to being run down.


27 posted on 02/15/2023 4:24:39 PM PST by Bon of Babble (Rigged Elections have Consequences)
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To: Bon of Babble

Bikes, ebikes and scooters aren’t allowed on the sidewalk here either.

But some ignore the law.

Motorcycles on the other hand do in fact stay off the sidewalks, to their credit.

Ebikes are more dangerous than regular bikes obviously. I am not a fan but if we must have them then the laws need to be enforced. Keep the bicycle rules. Which, hardly anyone here is doing either.


28 posted on 02/15/2023 4:42:59 PM PST by Persevero (You cannot comply your way out of tyranny. )
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To: DallasBiff

They put these stupid e scooters in Wroclaw when I lived there. Idiot tourists kept crashing in to people. Within a few weeks the locals had thrown them all in to the canal.


29 posted on 02/15/2023 4:44:58 PM PST by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes)
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To: DallasBiff

Vintage 1940's Radio Line Metal Push Scooter w/ Stand Emblem &  Rubber Tires | eBay

A throwback kick scooter of the style I still
have a scar on my chin from a wipeout.

30 posted on 02/15/2023 4:57:24 PM PST by chief lee runamok (Anti Socialist Derelict At Large)
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To: DallasBiff

A bicycle provides the exercise of a stationary bike. A powered bike provides the exercise of a couch.


31 posted on 02/15/2023 5:00:31 PM PST by ChessExpert (Informed consent: "We have a new, experimental vaccine you might consider.")
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To: Mariner

Yep. Get a real bike and keep in shape.


32 posted on 02/15/2023 6:43:35 PM PST by Blood of Tyrants (Blacks have placed stronger chains on themselves than the slave masters of old ever forged.)
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To: JBW1949

Bell Bottoms


33 posted on 02/15/2023 6:47:31 PM PST by Tijeras_Slim
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To: DallasBiff

“What happens when the battery runs out?”

You pedal, just like you did before the battery runs out. The battery is an assist, mostly for climbing hills and such.


34 posted on 02/15/2023 7:01:25 PM PST by Nik Naym (It's not my fault... I have compulsive smart-ass disorder. )
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To: Persevero

“Some scooters and ebikes do.” (Ride on sidewalks)

I know that where I am it is strictly illegal to ride e bikes on the sidewalk, and in most areas of this town it is illegal to ride ANY bike on a sidewalk.


35 posted on 02/15/2023 7:07:05 PM PST by Nik Naym (It's not my fault... I have compulsive smart-ass disorder. )
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To: ChessExpert

” A powered bike provides the exercise of a couch.”

You have no idea what you are talking about.

But don’t worry, going on about things which one knows nothing about is becoming quite the tradition here on FR, so you aren’t alone.


36 posted on 02/15/2023 7:11:53 PM PST by Nik Naym (It's not my fault... I have compulsive smart-ass disorder. )
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To: Nik Naym

I admit that I overstated. It depends how they are used. I have seen young people zipping along a level trail with no exertion. They are missing out IMO. And then there are bicyclists who ride as though they intend to compete in the Tour de France.


37 posted on 02/15/2023 7:57:33 PM PST by ChessExpert (Informed consent: "We have a new, experimental vaccine you might consider.")
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To: Mariner

My 74 year old knees vigorously dispute your assertion. My days of riding conventional bikes are over, because of those knees. Behind only cordless power tools, e-bikes are one of the best inventions of my lifetime.


38 posted on 02/15/2023 10:08:27 PM PST by allblues (God is neither a Republican nor a Democrat but Satan is definitely a Democrat)
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To: JBW1949
...what’s the difference in an E-Bike and the old MoPed?

Ebikes are (generally) much less power than a moped. The Lemond bike mentioned above has 250 Watts output where an old Puch Moped was 3hp, roughly 2300 Watts.

I am researching an ebike buy for myself. It appears places that allow ebikes on multi-use trails/sidewalks limit the bikes to class 2. That is 750W max with a power dropout @ 20mph (no power assist >20mph), and pedal assist only (no separate throttle).

Class 3 ebikes are for off-road only and have 1000W motors, a max speed of 28mph + with motor-only driving (throttle).

There are a few bikes (I think these are Class X) that have AWD dual motors and are pushing the +2000W threshold. Fat tires and a large cargo rack made specifically for hauling you in to your deer-stand (no scent trail) and back out with a deer on the rack.

Most of the controllers can be "jail-broken" and programmed to allow the motors to run at their max - and you can also buy professional looking Class 2 decals to put on a bike that might be something other than a legal class 2.

39 posted on 02/16/2023 5:20:19 AM PST by Damifino (The true measure of a man is found in what he would do if he knew no one would ever find out.)
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