e-bike and e-scooters.

[Gingerbrews]

My late father, then in his 80s was knocked down, on the pavement, by another old codger in an electric wheelchair.
The driver shouted "Sorry" as she sped off. Luckily he wasn't badly hurt. These things can be lethal!!

 

[Polcho]

Somebody said earlier that as long is it goes less than 25mph, no licence, and therefore not training is required.
That’s far to fast. Hitting a person walking towards the bike, a collision would be around 30mph. Not a pleasant outcome.

 

[Galena]

Somebody said earlier that as long is it goes less than 25mph, no licence, and therefore not training is required.
That’s far to fast. Hitting a person walking towards the bike, a collision would be around 30mph. Not a pleasant outcome.

An e-bike is pedal assist, you don't pedal, you don't move. The legal limit for pedal assist in the UK is currently 25 KPH that is just 15 mph.
I can ride my non e pedal cycle at over 25 mph so the speed is not the issue.
You don't need a license because it is classed as a bicycle, remove that speed limit or the pedal assist and it requires a license. An e-scooter presumably is 100% e power and does not need you to 'scoot'?
As far as training is required, some people could do with it but as it is a bicycle it is not required, I have been riding bikes for almost 60 years and never had a days training.
Car drivers have plenty of training and look how crap and dangerous many of them are, so not sure as it would help.

 

[Polcho]

You may be quite right there in terms of some of the driving I see every day. I’m not convinced bringing new electrical vehicle drivers down to that level is the answer though.
The problem is not so much that these vehicles are unsafe, more to do with the roads being really busy these days I I think it’s Reims of the powers to be not to bring in some sort of basic test.
When I was at school (back in Roman times), pretty much all the children did the cycling proficiency. We got a flat for the bike, a badge and a certificate handed out in assembly. If all road users were required to have insurance, the insurance companies would self regulate the training by requiring it as a condition of cover. I don’t think people would object to that. Fair enough if a person has a motorbike licence, they shouldn’t be required to test again. Car licence? Not so sure.

 

[Lawrence R]

I commute 7 miles each way on an e-bike and see appalling behaviour from cyclists, e-scooter riders and cars. And cycle lanes which vary from extremely useful to downright dangerous. Personally I don’t think scooters should be on the pavements, they move too fast for many people to get out of the way, but I also agree that our roads look lethal to anyone on those tiny wheels, the rider plus scooter is top heavy and looks v unstable. Which is why they don’t really fit anywhere in our current transport structure. Cyclists also should stay off pavements for the same reasons, it infuriates me to see cyclists being on the road until they reach a red light, then switch to being a pedestrian on wheels to cross on the pelican crossing, weaving in and out of elderly, kids etc. And don’t get me started on drivers who can’t see a big bloke on a bike lit up like a Xmas tree with a reflective jacket on.
Anyone want to buy a soapbox, well used.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

No worries about small wheels and riding on the road with one of these -

 

[Leon103]

My nearest town adopted against cycle lanes, instead they split the pavement down the middle, half for walkers and the other for bikes. Bloody stupid idea and lethal. Not enough signs and the tourists don't know about them.

 

[Galena]

A basic test will

My nearest town adopted against cycle lanes, instead they split the pavement down the middle, half for walkers and the other for bikes. Bloody stupid idea and lethal. Not enough signs and the tourists don't know about them.

Shared cycle paths are potentially quite dangerous. Drivers get annoyed because they think cyclists should be on them. Unless cycle paths are designed to give riders separation and more importantly right of way at side junctions then lots of cyclists will not use them. Planners seem to think that cyclists potter along at not much above walking pace when many are riding at 17 - 20 mph.

 

[Lawrence R]

Only place I’ve seen cycle lanes that were really effective was when I lived in Germany for a couple of years. Their entire town transport systems were integrated and v well organised (no surprises). Only risk was Dozy Brits (me) walking into them but you soon learnt. But you would have to dig up a lot of road over here to match it.

 

[Lawrence R]

You may be quite right there in terms of some of the driving I see every day. I’m not convinced bringing new electrical vehicle drivers down to that level is the answer though.
The problem is not so much that these vehicles are unsafe, more to do with the roads being really busy these days I I think it’s Reims of the powers to be not to bring in some sort of basic test.
When I was at school (back in Roman times), pretty much all the children did the cycling proficiency. We got a flat for the bike, a badge and a certificate handed out in assembly. If all road users were required to have insurance, the insurance companies would self regulate the training by requiring it as a condition of cover. I don’t think people would object to that. Fair enough if a person has a motorbike licence, they shouldn’t be required to test again. Car licence? Not so sure.

Quite agree, seems strange that we will allow untrained, unlicensed and uninsured drivers on the road if they are on 2 wheels with an electric engine or no engine, unless they’re an electric motorbike, or a petrol/electric powered 2/3/4wheeler+. Each is a potential hazard and capable of causing life changing injury. I actually do carry insurance for my e-bike and my potential liability if I hurt someone or their vehicle, it’s not much. This whole area needs regulatory review. there goes my blood pressure again.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

I saw this earlier apparently its not uncommon for lithium-ion batteries to set on fire.


What Makes a Lithium-Ion Battery Explode?
The very thing that makes lithium-ion batteries so useful is what also gives them the capacity to catch fire or explode. Lithium is really great at storing energy. When it’s released as a trickle, it powers your phone all day. When it’s released all in one go, the battery can explode.
Most lithium-ion battery fires and explosions come down to a problem of short circuiting. This happens when the plastic separator fails and lets the anode and cathode touch. And once those two get together, the battery starts to overheat.

 

[Pezza24]

All the drug dealers/runners around me use these E scooters for super speedy deliveries. Often bombing towards oncoming traffic and straight through red lights. Like someone else said I think it's the pedal assist on a bike that means it's not a vehicle.

 

[trummy]

I wrote war an peace to had my tuppence worth but its all been said.
Suffice to say' There is a war between those who say there is a war and those that say there is not one'!

Thanks for not including it on the Cyclist thread Chippy- that's a happy place!

 

[cushyno]

An e-bike is pedal assist, you don't pedal, you don't move. The legal limit for pedal assist in the UK is currently 25 KPH that is just 15 mph.
I can ride my non e pedal cycle at over 25 mph so the speed is not the issue.
You don't need a license because it is classed as a bicycle, remove that speed limit or the pedal assist and it requires a license. An e-scooter presumably is 100% e power and does not need you to 'scoot'?
As far as training is required, some people could do with it but as it is a bicycle it is not required, I have been riding bikes for almost 60 years and never had a days training.
Car drivers have plenty of training and look how crap and dangerous many of them are, so not sure as it would help.

Agree with this. Scooters are a great idea and eco-friendly but have writing flaws when put alongside other road users and pedestrians. You have more "skin in the game" with a bicycle wether e-bike or not. On a bike if you're going too fast in the wrong place you'll get hurt. On a scooter it's easier to see yourself in the same upright pose as a pedestrian and able to just let go or jump off. There is less risk for the rider and more risk to others. It's hard to see them coming too - pedestrian sized and shaped rider on a crowded street and you wouldn't give a second glance. It should be forbidden to use e-scooters on pavements. Anything not self propelled should have a license, including mobility scooters that can go more than walking pace.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

I think electric scooters are a great idea especially if you don't have room to store a cycle but they need to limit their speed and ban them off pavements so they are not such a menace they also need to have an age limit and i would suggest like mopeds 16 would be a good start..

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Man critically hurt in e-scooter crash with car in Wolverhampton

A man has suffered critical injuries after the e-scooter he was riding collided with a car.

The 20-year-old suffered a head injury in the crash with a VW Golf on Prestwood Road, Wolverhampton, on Saturday.

West Midlands Police said a woman, 19, who they believe was a passenger on the e-scooter was also seriously hurt.

The woman driving the VW Golf was unhurt, the force added.

Officers have started house-to-house inquiries, studied CCTV footage and have appealed for witnesses.

Earlier this month, West Midlands Police said it was starting a month-long e-scooter operation to "tackle riders who break the law and put others at risk".

The force said the move followed complaints about inappropriate use of e-scooters.

Those caught face having it seized or having their accounts to hire one suspended.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-57460485