Posted on 04/04/2025 10:14:15 AM PDT by 4Runner
US Experience The US has seen two eras in e-bike injury—an early era with the majority of deaths in older patients who have the financial resources to purchase earlier generation and more expensive e-bikes but were less skilled riding a bicycle. During the pandemic, sales of all bikes increased, and the closure of gyms and social distancing led some to purchase e-bikes as a safe option for outdoor exercise. In the second era, e-bike prices fell significantly and became more affordable, leading to a dramatic increase in pediatric use and injury.
[snip]
For decades, MarinHealth Medical Center has been the primary hospital treating bicyclists injured across the county. In 2023, Marin surgeons began reporting the new hazards with e-bikes.
An analysis of the MarinHealth Medical Center trauma registry revealed that e-bike accident victims compared to regular bicyclists were nearly a decade older in age, more likely to require hospital admission, and had a higher risk of dying (more than 10% of e-bike riders who crash and then present to the trauma center expired). The e-bike injury pattern includes pelvic fractures, which are more commonly seen in motorcycle riders than bicyclists.
(Excerpt) Read more at facs.org ...
“You can get all the exercise you need on a real bike. Just not as fast.”
And see less.
You are correct, they are not bicycles. They are electric mopeds or just electric motorcycles. They have no business being on bike trails or lanes, let alone sidewalks.
A public health hazard?
Perhaps due to the fact that e-bike sales have increased from 3.7 million in 2019 to over 300 million two years ago.
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/how-many-e-bikes-have-been-sol-ajYsDVL8SoGsVWVFv0jJXQ
I would not agree that they need to be classified as a motorcycle.
I do think they should be classified the same as a moped or scooter. Meaning anything UNDER 50 CC engine that goes under a certain speed.
The issue is that there are several Ebikes now that already go 60+ MPH. See my previous post.
“Buy a electric bike defeats the purpose of buying a bicycle but handy for the stupid and lazy.”
My wife is 73. She is probably smarter and less lazy than you.
So you aren’t really looking for exercise after all.
“So you aren’t really looking for exercise after all.”
There isn’t one single reason why people post comments that others perceive as “stupid.” It’s a complex mix of factors, and what one person considers stupid, another might see differently. Here are some common underlying reasons:
Lack of Understanding or Misinformation:
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Emotional Reasons:
* Seeking Attention: Some individuals post outlandish or controversial comments to provoke reactions and gain attention, even if it’s negative. This can be a form of online attention-seeking behavior.
* Frustration or Anger: People might lash out with poorly thought-out or aggressive comments when feeling frustrated, angry, or emotional.
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* Trolling: Some individuals intentionally post inflammatory, off-topic, or nonsensical comments to disrupt discussions, provoke others, and cause amusement for themselves. This can be linked to personality traits like sadism and psychopathy.
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It’s important to remember that:
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Instead of simply dismissing “stupid” comments, trying to understand the underlying reasons can sometimes lead to more productive conversations or at least provide insight into online human behavior.
You get as much exercise on an e-bike as on a regular bike, you just go further, assuming you pedal and don’t just lean on the throttle. On a non-e-bike, my typically ride might be ten or twenty miles; on an e-bike I’ll go forty miles. For me, it’s much more fun.
I fully agree that Bikes of all kinds, bicycles or e-bikes should not be on sidewalks. On this we fully agree. Just as bicycles shouldn’t be allowed on sidewalks.
However I have heard lots of pedestrians who say bikes have no business being on a walking trail.
And I have heard lots of auto drivers saying bikes have no business being on roads.
I don’t agree with either of those.
Class II E-Bikes don’t go faster than regular bicycles. In my state we have laws that Class I and Class II E-Bikes can’t go on bike trails. I don’t see why they should not be allowed.
No way I do 5 miles a day
At 73 she needs to also many people older than her do.
Can’t be to smart she’s with you.
Exercise is what it’s all about.
“Exercise is what it’s all about.”
Then just go to the gym. A lot safer and climate controlled.
“No way I do 5 miles a day”
LOL!
That is less than 30 minutes!
Yeah leaves you plenty of time for your posting.
My doctor told me to ride 40 miles a day. I called him a week later and said doc I’m 280 miles away!
RIP Rodney Dangerfield
My 370 lbs brother-in-law has one that must weigh about 200 lbs...big balloon tires etc.
I don’t want that barreling him around on any hiking trail with my family.
I wish him luck with the weight.
The guy goes fast food twice a day, every day.
bookmark
Well, it might be for you. What if someone simply likes being out in the open air and seeing the world go by?
I’m generally not in favor of a one size fits all purpose for bicycling.
Or anything else, IMO. I always prefer to leave people’s reasons for doing legal things up to their discretion.
“horrific, all caught on video.“
I was shocked when I saw the size of the explosion in that enclosed space. Terrifying.
“Exercise is what it’s all about.”
Not always.
When I was in college I had a roommate that rode his bike from Washington State to Florida.
I had my bike to commute to my classes.
That’s a lot of exercise
Think about the guy that rode around the world.
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