When the first motorcycles were created (an engine was added to the bicycle), this problem also existed. It was solved by adding driving license categories. We go back to the beginning of the automotive industry. If people learned from history, there would be no such thing as an ebike, only a motobike.
I think there is more to it. In Norway the speed is limited to 25kmh, but I see grown men and women, who probably have been driving a car for decades suddenly seem to totally forget the importance of being predictable and clear on your intent in traffic, like positioning in the road, hands signals etc. And I also see a lot of care free cycling, guns blazing over zebra crossings, wrong way on the bicycle lane on the road, going on red lights with a “if I hurry I will probably make it” attitude. And there is not just a few people doing it, the pre covid commute can be mayhem. I really don’t understand what goes through their mind. I’m getting really bothered by this as a cyclist. Quite often when I approach a zebra crossing on the road, pedestrians about to cross freeze with fear in their eyes “oh crap, a cyclist, he will run me over if I cross”. Many times I have to wave pedestrians over that have the right of way before they dare to walk. And cars that have the right of way too for that matter.
Yeah in the UK we have same speed restrictions on them. But yeah the only people I know who have them (who can afford them) have not got bikes already they have cars and want a bike and this is the new thing. I can’t believe how much a half decent one costs.
I have enjoyed commuting on two wheels for most of my life - on bicycles, motorcycles, and now on a e-bike. Common sense is what has allowed me to travel all this time unharmed.
@@sportsfix6975 I mean, what’s your recommendation? Quit biking altogether? Cycling (at least in its non-electric variety) brings health benefits that exceed its risk. No matter what we do we can’t control what happens behind us.
As an E-bike rider, I do my best to observe traffic laws & safety, and so many non-electric bikers zoom past me without so much as a bell. It's the people, not the machines.
Exactly. So many cyclists act like cars or pedestrians whenever it suits them and do incredibly dangerous things like run red lights, weave through traffic, and ride through pedestrian cross walks.
I ve been doing this for over a decade, got hit by car twice on the bycicle, got high sided out of the road and down the mountain on the motorcycle. Worst injury i had wasn't on public roads. The ideea is to survive with minimal injuries. Don't get an ebike. If you are not physically fit you have higher chances to sustain serious injuries and the ebike is just lazy. You can go 40 kph in short sprints after a year or so and you won't need more then anaerobic short pumps from one stop light to another. I havent met a bad driver for a long long time and I'm in a country with really poor drivers. But you anticipate the dumb things they do and its no longer a bad driver, it's just some dude doing something you don't care about cos it's not a threat to you.
@@TheTrailRabbit the huge, tricked-out fat-tired behemoths seem typically ridden by said couch potatoes, and they've been notorious for bullying their way past others on the trail, with no signal or alert of any kind. ARRRRG.
Honestly, after getting an e-bike (which is limited to 32km/h, because Canada), riding it a few times and watching this video, i think 50km/h or more ebikes should be on the road like motorcycles and mopeds because at that point, they're pretty much electric motorcycles and should require a licence + all the equipment motorcycles need (like turning signals).
Ebikes that can exceed the 32km/h speed restriction DO require a license and likely a license plate as well. BUT thats up to each province (where I live, Manitoba, anything over 32km/h REQUIRES a license). I do agree that ebikes should be required to have headlights, rear lights + brakes lights and turn signals, but for all class of ebikes not JUST those that exceed 32km/h. And with the amount of $$$$ people are being gouged for ebikes these days, I think headlights and such is the LEAST they could do.
It doesn't really matter what you ride, a bike, ebike, motorcycle whatever. First of all it matters to ride it carefully cautious considerate to all other people, road users, animals and everything else. And whatever you ride it's functioning properly so it's not a danger for anyone and yourself. I had a bicycle with a 2000w motor, it could reach 37 mph but I didn't kill anyone and I'm still alive because I knew my bike very well, the brakes, the acceleration and I was always careful and considerate to others. The road it's not your own, you must share it with others and it's there for you to go somewhere, not to be an careless asshole. So it's about the man, not the bike
If you have ever ridden a motorcycle and and a (fast) E-Bike, you immediately notice the difference in stability. Besides the fact that E-Bikes are not built for street speeds (like are motorcycles), they are usually ridden where bicycles ride and they are going too fast there, but they can't ride where cars ride because they are too slow there. Whenever you have vehicles going at greatly different speeds, accidents are going to increase.
Bingo. I had several gas powered bicycles about 10 years ago before the e bike craze and quickly learned how dangerous sustained high speed on bicycles can be and total lack of real protection bicyclist have for 25+mph crashes. I wear full gear on motorcycle. Bicyclist might wear a helmet.
with heavier weight you do sacrifice some control however, at least with an ebike you can brake and turn faster since there is more momentum built with the heavy motorcycle
Riding on the road is where most cities expect cyclists to be riding. As someone who has ridden a bike for over 20 years, on road, off road, in the winter and snow, I follow the rules of the road and ride with traffic. I can tell you ebikes are no more dangerous or unstable than any normal bike. As for the speeds well... even a normal bicycle can go as fast as 50KM/h on a smooth surface. Bottom line is, you put enough idiot's behind the wheel of any kind of motorized vehicle and you'll end up with a good collection of accidents.
I was just looking at a bike path from my balcony and an ebike rider was going full speed down the path that pedestrians, parents pushing strollers, dogs, and they were riding full speed. With a normal bike you have better control. There need to be more rules for them. I get passed by them and sometimes I pass them. But really why the rush? You might be a bit faster and it might be fun, but these ebike riders need to be more careful and the problem is the riders are not. Maybe they can ride a bike but obviously they don't have the skills and common decency to ride on public paths. It is extreme egoism and going around on ebike or normal bike without any concern for other people's safety and your own is reckless.
A good idea is for cyclists and ebikers(I'm one of those), is to drive like you are in a car, following traffic laws. I am safety minded, I wear a full helmet, have turn signals, brake lights.
Better yet, pretend you are invisible to all cars. I ride a motorcycle daily and it is my responsibility to make sure cars know I’m there. Stay out of blind spots. You are invisible to them. Stay safe!💜🚲🏍
Your video shows the reasons why I don't like to ride my bike in the city. I'm "fast" most time faster than E-bike riders, except on climbs, but in the flats I'm usually overtaking these guys, and most of them ride like there is no other cyclist around. Whem I come to crossings with the priority to the right, 3 out of 4 times I got ignored from any road users, especially those with motors (especially cars and trucks). So that's why I go outside the city to ride mostly on farm lanes and roads. No more a..h...s around.
Great video and very true to my experience. There have always been terrible clueless riders in Zurich, but they were bumbling along at 10 to 15kmh. Now that they can BUY 25 to 45 kph it is a real mess. Cheers from Zurich 👍
Usually fitter bodies come with a more alert mind, but now any old weed smoking fart who can barely ride a bike can zoom past Chris Froome until they crash at the next corner. I'll admit I have an aftermarket kit that can exceed 30 mph - a deathtrap in the hands of someone with no cycling proficiency or CBT. Having said that, with a good hill, a manual cycle can be just as fast - me bombing down the hill in Bath and almost got hit by a truck. Luckily good disc brakes and dry weather but locking the front wheel at 35 mph isn't fun.
i will say that most ebikes i meet here in Germany are restricted to 25kmh, which is good to deal with on a normal basis. The fast ones can be very dangerous, many riders are not aware of that until something goes wrong.
I'm also from Germany and I haven't seen any bikes that exceed the 25 kmh limit. I think they would also need a licence plate? Anyway, the 25 kmh bikes are fine, since I'm faster with my roadbike anyway 😛
being fast and silent makes them dangerous for pedestrians and pedal bikes. E-bikers should have insurance and pass a safety course. Where I live, e-bikes do 50kph and given time they'll be going faster still, illegally of course. If people want to kill themselves, fine! just don't take others with you.
Bullshit, going fast can be dangerous, any bike can go wicked fast downhill. Motorcycles go wicked fast. It doesn't matter what the top end is, just don't ride so fast. Would you accept a 120kph speed restricted automobile? Would a restricted auto increase or decrease accidents?
@@kevinnielsen1356 fleet engines in America in the late 70s and the eighties had governors on them to keep speeds near 55 mph. Some had a passing speed limit a bit higher. It was due to gas shortages and higher prices as OPEC formed. Speed limits had been as high as 75 mph. But now it was 55 mph and companies did not want speeding tickets. It was maddeningly slow and some people did fall asleep and crash but that's an intelligence issue. But overall safety was improved. When the law was rescinded, people still fell asleep, drove worse and the accidents are exponentially worse with greater damage and deaths. Everybody wants to be a Ricky Bobby on the road even in subdivisions, running red lights and stop signs. So in answer to your question, yes, it decreased accidents. Think Honda msx125 vs a Kawasaki ninja 400 motorcycle: for the majority of commuters which is safer? Or most practical?
Apparently Ebike crashes are more resemblant of motorbike crashes than those of cycling... I've had an ebike and I truly enjoyed it but I'll be the first to admit the way I rode that thing I was a much higher risk to myself and others. I'm happy to stick with a manual cycle from now on...
The inexperience + speed is the issue here. On a normal bike you need to work your way up to being fast. As you do this you become an experienced rider who knows how to handle yourself on the road in traffic. A lot of these people are riding these bikes as their first bikes since they were children, and they're riding aggressively at speed, and they don't know how to get themselves out of tricky situations that come up in traffic. I have muscle memory of what to do and how to react.
Having purchased an ebike recently (UK ebike speed limit is 15mph/25kph) I can agree with how differently I ride. I've gained experience from years of unassisted cycling so know how to act at those speeds, but have heard from friends that don't cycle (and tested an ebike) saying that they would want the limit increased. I'm happy either way as it's much nicer than mass-car usage.
did you have to replace anything or a battery I am wanting an ebike but am scared bc I don’t know how reliable they are as something to ride every day for years
@@kylewilliams6133 I've had a Swytch conversion kit (now sold to split my commuter and leisure bike out) and now a Brompton Electric and neither have had any reliability or maintenance issues.
@@Peter-td3yk ... but most people don't and aren't used to good bicycle hazard perception at those speeds. It's like an amateur racing driver saying that they drive at high speeds all the time safely, so the national road speed limit should be increased.
When I ride my bike I'm very careful and I stop at crosswalks letting people cross the streets, and how you said in the video, people are scared to cross when seeing a bike, I stop at stop signs and all other. I ride my bike like im driving a motorcycle even tho I never drived a motorcycle, and don't have a license, I know the laws better than many do that has a driving license. And I love when I ride faster than an e-bike, the feeling of riding 31km/h is awesome. I'm waiting for the payment to buy a conversion kit to make my bike electric, and ride with less effort, but still I will ride like always, with more caution.
I ride a pushbike but did ride an ebike for a few years due to knee issues. I have a motorcycle licence and been riding bicycles all my life. I do agree with some of what you say and I agree that the most dangerous thing is that drivers are not anticipating the speed of the ebikes.
It isn't a matter of "anticipation" it is a matter of LOOKING. You can observe the speed ANY object is moving at, and make decisions based upon that observed speed. Don't make the argument that you can be stupid and drive a car (which is much more of a hazard to other people, than an eBike). The premise made in the video is weak and makes the assumption people cannot observe speed.
Drivers don't care. One: They getting underestimated. Two: Many drivers are older and although inexperienced at the same time. Three: They ain't driving as offensive as they should.
True that. I had a ebike accident with a car this month in October. Idiot driver did a last minute U-turn parked on left side of kerb on main road. I was riding along and then smashed into his driver's door at bout 40 to 50kmh. It was his fault!!! Got me by surprise. I was knocked out unconscious for a few seconds. I was helped up by public. Struggled to breathe. Taken to Hospital. Thankful to God and medical staff. No head injuries and no broken bones. I wire a helmet and gloves. Becareful out there. Never trust drivers!! They could be in all states of mental whatever? Or they forget to look etc... And yes sometimes it's the cyclist fault. Electric powered or not
Cars have on the right and left side these reinforced pillars of steel so the roof doesn't collapse and crush you. These stabilizing bars add a blind spot, toteswinkel, and on coming bicyclists could go unnoticed when you want to turn left. This is a huge danger. And also as a bicyclist know that you are commuting and not competing. Respect the road and try and obey the rules of the road. Pedestrians should pay attention too and follow rules. A lot of bicyclists are clipped in which also makes cycling risky. We are not in a professional road race and the road is closed off to all types of traffic. It's not okay to put other people at danger. Even car drivers need to get to work on time and don't want to get into an accident. I see irresponsibility in every form. Just pay attention and I personally don't think ebikes are a good idea. I ,for one, can pass most of them with my steel frame trekking bike with a steel basket on the front. I take my commuting seriously. I take my time and don't sweat.
As a 20year plus registered nurse in Southern California if have seen death on a regular bike at slow speeds from slipping on gravel and landing wrong. Just know any cycling will leads to falls. Hopefully minor ones mostly. Be careful out there. I rode a 7 speed around town during covid lockdown and had little falls here and there.There was no one, zero cars or people on the road.Got a few scratches but still ride with respect to speed and safety at all times...
Anyone can fall and it can be very serious - that's right. But you had some falls here and there, just riding around without many people around during the COVID lockdown? I'm sorry but that's a completely different problem. You shouldn't be falling that much. I would stay off of bicycles in that case.
I found this video while wondering whether I would like to upgrade from e-bike to speedpedelec. After watching it, I am rather sure I will stick with my current 25 km/h bike. Thank you for this video, more people should see this.
Thank you for the video. I have been building e-bikes for years and each one gets better, faster, and goes longer than the one before, but they cant stop on a dime like a well tuned peddle bike. They're heavier. I really respect your getting this out there. If you have an e-bike. First of all... follow the traffic signs, lights, and all the laws regarding vehicle traffic; motorized or otherwise. Be respectful to pedestrians and motor vehicles of all kinds. (Let me think... Cars, Motorcycles, Trucks, Semi Tractor Trailers, VS E-Bike....) ? Your life is in your hands, and maybe someone else's life too. No matter what you drive or ride. Don't focus on proving yourself... Focus on improving yourself. Just slow your (VTO-Go), (CC-Go) or (E-Go) down and think first and always about the other people around you, and enjoy a safe ride. Speed and Power have their place. E-Bikes are great for rabbit starts, and the climbing ability is tremendous, but not in a high traffic area. Thanks again. Great Video.
this actually stems from a much deeper problem here in Switzerland. politics decided that pretty much anything except writing tickets (with automated cameras) for being over the speed limit isn't worth perusing. bad accident happens, just decrease the speed limit by 25% so next time it's less bad. actually send some cops to write people up for the reason this accident happens (e.g. ignoring the right of way), way to expensive compared to the fines. so you end up with people only paying attention to the speed limit. additionally 99.9% of the time the other driver will act to avoid the accident (an accident is basically the only time you actually get a ticket for anything that's not checked by cameras). so you have loads of people with next to zero situational awareness, many bad habits and more attention on their speedometer than on the road. at least they are well protected by their car. now add e-bikes: some of those people switch and they keep all their bad habits, just they now have lost the protection. and because they now can weave trough traffic, chances that someone doesn't spot them in time to avoid the accident is even greater. many of them have little experience with cycling and behave as if they still carry 1t of car-armor around with them. oh and in Switzerland they are limited to 25 (free) or 45 (have yellow plate, need smallest motorcycle license, but it's included if you have a car license.)
I've ridden bicycles and motorcycles for over 50 years. Thousands of miles on road bicycles. I can definitely say, bicycles, electric or otherwise, are much more dangerous then motorcycles. Many new ebikers would be afraid to ride motorcycles, mistakenly believing the bicycles to be safer.
Today in Belgium I was cycling down a hill on a narrow "fietspad" bike-path and some asshole rings his bell behind me as if that someone magically makes it ok to pass me. Then within a second of ringing barely squeezes past me going +35mph... This happens so often. Just use the road if you're doing those speeds pls. You're silent, fast and deadly.
in the states motorcycles are required to have turn signals a horn brake light road rated tires I think that they should also require these things for ebikes as well
I like to Spider-Man’s uncle: with great power comes great responsibility. When you don’t have to use your own muscles to get moving you lose the ability to feel how fast you are actually going. Very good cyclist gets feedback from his body. The elderly on E-bikes sometimes have difficulties to oversee complicated situations in an intersection. Younger people are sometimes just careless. All in all I think we need more training for this new situation.
never the fault of a person who is holding their phone and driving, because they have become used to the idea that they are protected in a steel frame and its normal to be on your phone all the time.
Get passed by the road bike users all the time. talking about safety and those guys/girls blow by me , stop signs and lights only wearing a non DOT helmet and another layer of skin (lycra). Your argument is time served on a bike. i grew up on a bike headed back and forth to school, friends houses and anywhere else around town. i also have ridden mopeds to 600cc sport bikes. Ebikes are fine as long as there isn't an asshole riding it, the same as driving a car. I watched my dad come home with missing skin and a boken collar bone a few times. My dad watched one of his team members get ran over by a truck and killed. Nearly every accident that happened was because of a CAR. the other accidents was doing over 30mph on tires as skinny as a little finger. That being said (because there is a motor involved) i think there should be a training certification before riding on the streets and i don't think anyone under 18 should be legally allowed to ride one on their own. really not trying to be cynical but there are people who passed their driver license who should not be on the road.
In the EU and UK legal e-bikes should be limited to 25kmh (around 15mph). If you ride an e-bike that goes way faster, you're basically just riding an illegal motorbike with all the legal and financial trouble that can get you into, especially if you cause and accident. First when e-bikes exploded in popularity here it was really noticeable how inexperienced many of the riders were at riding in city traffic. You get all these people that haven't ridden a bike since they were kids, suddenly on relatively fast bikes with no idea what they're doing. Lately though I feel it's gotten a lot better, or maybe they've just been overshadowed by clueless e-scooter riders. :)
I have been riding e-bikes for years. I built my first from a kit, a 350w mid motor. It really was meant to operate as a PAS system, the accelerator was not subtle and I hardly ever used it because of the rapid power drain. I mounted the kit on a boy’s 24” mountain bike. I had been riding road bikes for years before building the ebike but we moved to a house on a very steep hill and I simply couldn’t climb the hill on a regular bike, no matter what gearing. Too old, and I never was a great hill climber. I rode my first ebike a bit. It solved the hill problem but I was never really comfortable on it. The bike (a 36 V system) was a bit underpowered for the hill I live on, although it was fine for everything else. This year I replaced the first ebike with a super73 Z. It is so much more fun to ride and feels much more stable. I can put my feet on the ground when I stop and don’t have to partially dismount every time I stop. This removes the temptation to charge stop signs and intersections and makes it much easier to access the buttons that activate the walk signs and controlled intersections. The super73 is also a 36V system and a 500W hub motor. It has no PAS but the accelerator works really well at low speeds, unlike my first bike. Still a bit underpowered for my hill, I max out the accelerator and pedal as well. Otherwise it has plenty of power to travel at 10 - 15 mph which is all I need. I did upgrade my helmet when I started riding the super 73. The newer bicycle helmets offer more coverage than the old ones and the helmet makers seem to understand that many riders are on ebikes now. A motorcycle helmet would be much too heavy and fog too easily. I live in a suburb in the US and bicycle traffic is generally not at all challenging simply because there are far fewer people on bikes. I mostly ride in bike lanes on roads with low traffic or on neighborhood streets. Sometimes I ride on the sidewalk if it can’t be avoided, due to lack of cycling infrastructure. The lack of cycling infrastructure is the main problem where I live. The kind of congestion you see in this video just doesn’t happen.
In the uk if you want to use an ebike that is more than 15.5mph pedal assist it must have a license plate and you must have a provisional license and passed your CBT (training course for moped) as they are legally classed as mopeds. But there are alot of kids getting given cheap 1kw ebikes for Christmas that are twist and go they dont even need to be pedalled.
its the scooters i see the kids in mostly. saw one flash past me as i was pulling back out , after allowing emergency service past . nearly clipped him, he must of been doing 40mph. on a 30mph road.
I’m a daily E bike rider I have over 1000 miles on my bike I had one accident I broke my wrist. However, that accident was not with another person I was just being stupid out by the lake and flipped the bikes going about 10 miles an hour. But it gave me an appreciation of the machine because if I was going 25 I probably would’ve been dead or several broken bones or wishing I was dead.
Just beginning my E-bike experience and i must admit i never even thought about this total lunacy from other riders although i have been riding a motorcycle for some years in the city so i guess i kind of expect others to do what they want. thanks
You are correct. Maybe 90% of ebikers are not experienced or rude and not thinking of safety and don't follow rules. I'm an ebiker but I think defensively.
As an E-Biker I treat and ride my bike similarly to a motorcycle, the biggest problems are that most E-Bike cyclists treat them like regular bikes and all road users should begin to assume any bike could be powered, course this is hard when many car drivers hate bikes and many cyclists will continue to treat E-Bikes as bikes
Good video. As someone from the UK, living in CH for 22 years, there is a certain Swiss factor in this. The CH driving standards are simply terrible, I’m no sunday driver, I drive for enjoyment but drive safely and am aware of my surroundings and know when to let people know of my intentions (ie indicated before braking and before actually manoeuvring! I see 99% of cars, inc police and learner drivers, indicate once they are through a junction or after they even exit a roundabout. The don’t leave gaps, they constant pull out of junctions as long as the think your braking will prevent an accident. I was stopped at a red light near Jumbo I’m Suhr and behind was a driving instructor showing a video to the learner and then he put it away when the light went green! Anyway, the point is. The Swiss are like this in many things, driving, cycling, getting on a train, parking in a car park. I can get my door open but I couldn’t give a shit if you can’t get in your car easily. A very selfish nation.
In U.K. ebikes are limited to around 15mph/25kph assistance, only older ebikes have a throttle. There are a few motorised electric bikes but they’re illegal & do ridiculous speeds.
Granted I am in California, where we have much wider roads and fewer crazier intersections than what is depicted here, but as someone who started on an acoustic bike, and then got on a “class 2” ebike, and graduated to a “class 3” ebike, and am now looking at electric motorcycle scooters, I have to agree that a gradual approach and building up experience before adding speed is the right approach. At the higher end, these e-bikes ARE motorcycles. I never would have thought I’d be looking to buy a real motor bike, but at some point I realized that my ebike already was one, just without the security, suspension, and safety features required for a real DOT approved motor bike.
yeah i just got an ebike i think people see bike and think you are going slow, literally had a lady pass me up im doing 25mph and its a school zone thats 20mph in a neighborhood... and good thing there wasnt a cop in sight, i was about to turn left, she almost hit me.
A license, helmet, lights, insurance and registration for electric bikes and scooters should be mandatory. Of course any kind of modifications and custom makings shoult de banned.
man, I am glad we are getting to the days of complaining about bike riders acting like cagers. At least with E-Bikes, we won't see 2,00,000 annual deaths worldwide like we do with cages. That number would be something like 2,000 at least and 20,000 at most if everyone adopted ebikes right now worldwide.
Yes, before getting a fast e-bike, one should have experience with normal bicycles. Also it seems, some people don't understand that it's allowed to drive slower than full speed. Now I just got myself a fast one. It's amazing, it keeps you fit while taking you to far places. But be aware that it's not a bicycle.
Is it legal in Switzerland foe ebikes to give support above 25kph? I very rarely go much faster than this on my ebike - and if I do all the power comes from me (or gravity) not the motor. My top speeds are actually higher on my road bike - but my average speed is higher on my ebike.
I have been using ebikes for about six years now and yes they can very dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced rider . I still think it comes back to the basics people who drive cars badly also ride bicycles badly and with ebikes you have the combination of bad driving skills , little protection and high speed combined. It all comes back to the operator, ebikes are not the problem , bad operators are . Pity some people have to be injured or even die to realize the rules of the road apply to all vehicles including ebikes. People please use your helmet but most importantly use your brain that's in the helmet when you ride your ebike or any vehicle for that matter .
My MOM almost died with the Pedelec, and I almost died too. Serious head injuries, these parts are not without. I don't even know if her life isn't in danger after all, the case law is still not entirely clear?!?!? It wasn't even smooth, and still, it was autumn, but people were cycling on the bike path and there weren't any leaves lying around.
This makes no sense. An ebike increases acceleration, not speed, and only up to 25km/h. I have one and guys in spandex ride faster than me, even on climbs. It makes no sense to say that an ebike is more dangerous than a bike.
@@versatyledc Roadies ride like the reckless riders in the videos all the time. I have chased roadies on my electric motorcycle and they go way faster than 30 kph and they never use their brakes.
Very true, we ride them as if they're bicycles, but they are not. I've been addicted to them for a few years now, owned several different types from regular wheel to fat tire, 250w to 1,500w, 20" and 26" wheels. The freedom is unbelievable and where we can ride them, here in Texas anyway is nearly unlimited. I've even ridden over 40mph but being in my 60's slowed me down at the thought of injury at that age. I even had a mechanical failure where my bike wouldn't stop even when braking until I had the good sense to just shut it off just to stop. I have a 20" folding fat tire AWD that I take everywhere in my jeep. I love the freedom and possibilities but just now becoming aware of how to operate as I should have all along.
The main problem I've seen within the last few years is the attitude of beginning cyclists getting on E-bikes. Many (not all of course) get an e-bike believing they will be faster than a conventional bicycle. In some cases they are (like hills and wind) but it's the snobbery from ppl who after all these decades just decided that a bicycle (conventional and motorized) is the way to go. "But a conventional bicycle is too slow..I need to be faster than a car!" If this is the attitude one might have, then cycling is not for that person. Most accidents are caused by inexperience and careless riding.
I've found the faster you're going the safer you are. I've been hit by a car on my old ebike going 10mph in a school parking lot. Dude hit me going 35mph and broke my foot. I stay around 40-60mph on my skateboard and everything has been fine. It's much better having the power to move asap if needed to avoid getting ran over. Here in America people will try to run you off the road if your in anything but a gas hog. Mopeds, motorcycles, bikes, escooter anything! Drivers in America are insane!!!
@@timscott3027 Like most long-board riders, he probably has developed a skill which car drivers lack, he looks for irregularities on the road ahead. My step son had his first experience with this a couple days ago on his electric longboard. You can be certain that he will be on the lookout for them in the future. He was only going about 20 MPH at the time. Most people develop this skill while still operating at slower speeds. I have a full suspension eBike, and even with all of that I developed the intentional examination of the road ahead. But then, I used to compete in road races on a pedal-only bike with fly-weight 700c rims with sew-up tires. It is a real pain to fix a flat on those tires. After every major race, there were people replacing rims. All skills are learned, often the hard way.
E-bikes in Switzerland do not have built-in speed limiter? I recently bought an e-bike too (as a second bike for specific use), and during the search all of them had a 25 km/h speed limit as a maximum achievable speed with electrical assistance (over 25km/h you need serious strength to move your 20-25kg weighing bike). Of course you can hack it and re-wire the system but I don't think everybody does that :) Which I can still think of, maybe it is only valid in the EU and not in CH.
the ones with yellow numberplates are speed pedelecs and limited to 45 km/h, all the others are limited to 25. If you hack a 25 pedelec it is illegal and the insurance will not help you if you are in an accident. I am using a speed pedelec myself and you have to be careful as lots of drivers still underestimate you. What I hate are regular bicyclists using me as a windshield. I am not used to that and it is dangerous because inside a city sometimes you have to brake instantly, I don't want a man hanging on my ass because he thinks he is a hero following me in my shadow... LOL
People on E bikes tend not to come to a complete stop when they’re supposed to because they’re much heavier and they cannot balance the bike properly when they are stopped. So they just blow through lights and stop signs.
I already see a fail and that's not looking behind you when your potentially about to come into contact with someone behind you when crossing or passing
I think the solution is to have a license for e-bike. e-bike is a transportation that have comparable speed to normal car and motorcycle. An uneducated person who are clueless of traffic rule that have access to something that are as fast as car and motorcycle is mildly dangerous
Unfortunately, most of these accidents are caused by lack of respect for the rules and dangerous driving - as is perfectly demonstrated in this video. Many cyclists, including non E-bikers, think they're invincible and exempt from all traffic rules. Yet again shown in this video by the many red lighters and even the cyclist that honks at the pedestrian for using the pedestrian crossing! This mentality is the cancer in traffic that causes all these accidents. I drove many kilometers with my car at my previous job, but the last 2 years i've been driving with an E-bike to work and I ordered a speed pedelec because I will be doing more KM's next year (64 per day). I feel much more confident in traffic because I've been driving a car for the past 11 years and I know what the look out for and I also know the traffic rules. For regular bikes and E-Bikes (25km/h ones) there is no driving license required - hence they do not know the actual rules in traffic and where to give right of way etc... I think we should all drive more defensively and pay attention to our surroundings. Common sense. When I ride my bike through village centers, I never ride full speed. I always slow down to a safe pace so I can react accordingly when people come rushing out of store and other similar situations. We must all live together on this planet, so it's best to be a little more understanding and drive defensively. If you're late for work, leave earlier. Then you can take it easy.
This is all rider respect and road etiquette. Same as other non car groups ie motorcycles . We have to learn to first respect each other. There are going to be a lot of laws and issues that we are going to have to combat as a group. First we have to respect each other
It’s the riders not the bike itself if used responsibly by a person who has rode a normal bike also it’s fine but yes maybe for inexperienced bikers a ebike isn’t good for those people
Thank you for this video because I also ride electric bicycle too but I'm more careful than the one's that where on the video because I take my riding seriously man I really love looking at ebikes videos but what I don't like is when they start popping Willies running stop signs and red lights ,I don't support those videos and I never shall
i Admit getting an Ebike you have to be so much more aware of your surroundings because those bikes really do fly, especially if your close distance around pedestrians turn your PAS Off or if your that lazy have it on Assist 1 with fingers on the brakes and stay in your lane. people who've never ridden a normal bike that own an ebike should try it for a day. You should be respectful with the advantage of having a Motor on your wheel.
Ppl you gotta be responsible with crap like that. The moterized bike are fun but you have to respect what they are. A human powered machine that has a engine added. Sure it can go faster than normal but that doesn't mean you should go fast. Especially on bike path with other cyclist. On a bike path I might have my engine on but it just idling along until I get away from ppl. Never know when a child or some one will walk into ur path and bad enough hitting some one normally but with the added weight and speed stand a good chance of a serious injury.
I have a truck for Canadian winters and for maintaining my properties, a 150cc Honda scooter (120-135 Imp. mpg) for seven months of the year, and a couple of pedal bikes...because bikes are about simplicity, convenience and economy, not worrying about whether or not my overweight e-bike will make it home before my battery dies. The people that I know that have or want an e-bike are some of the most inconsiderate drivers on our roads.
The issue is that allot of those accidents come from just people who do not respect how much power is actually in their hands. Going 20+ mph is serious. You should be wearing a helment, and maybe even rider gear honestly. Deff if you're trying to commute and like most of the US< is infostructure is archaic, you will find yourself in mahy dangerous situations.
I have experience riding bikes for 15-20 plus and ebike for a couple of years now back on regular bike for the time being, but I partly agree and disagree with you. It is 100% the people riding, I see bad riding across the board. I drive buses for a living too and see bad driving as well. I think some of the reason your seeing ebike accidents more is because a lot of riders are coming to ebikes from a background driving cars. I don't know the laws where you live but in the UK people have to pass a driving test once and that's it, and then they pick up bad habits driving, cutting corners, speeding, overtaking too close, late braking, general arrogance etc. Then they are taking their shitty driving attitude across to their ebike. We need more education and policing of roads here, too many people are getting away with bad and dangerous driving everyday, not sure if things are exactly the same for you there.
I don´t want E-Bike. I am riding to do some sport, not to use more electricity :-D And second thing is in my town, to many bicycles are stolen. So I can sleep good only when I have normal bike from sale for 500 USD for example.
Here in UK we have ebike laws limiting the motor to 250w and 15.5mph. They are legal EAPCs. I agree with one poster who says you get idiots whichever mode of transport. The overriding thing is they do so without due care and attention to other road users. Often because they are just selfish and won’t be told otherwise. So don’t blame The ebike blame the riders who are selfish, ride too fast and without due care and attention.
I'm old enough to remember when "electric bikes" were called "motorcycles", aka motorized bicycles. Just because it's got an electric motor instead of a gasoline motor doesn't make it not a motorcycle. Idiots near me taking their electric motorcycles on exercise paths and typically used at high speeds by idiotic teenagers too fat and lazy to use a pedal bike.
They are new bikers and normally they would make these mistakes at slower speeds so it's more dangerous. My city is very hilly so they are becoming popular here. I think it's great overall but like everything there will be problems, that is just how humans are.
Авто/Мото
It's not the fact It's an e bike, idiots use e bikes, cars, lorries etc, just the same as sensible people.
Don't blame the bike, blame the operator.
Yep.
Agree
Correct! e-bikes are for disabled people - the one way or the other.
When the first motorcycles were created (an engine was added to the bicycle), this problem also existed. It was solved by adding driving license categories. We go back to the beginning of the automotive industry. If people learned from history, there would be no such thing as an ebike, only a motobike.
I think there is more to it. In Norway the speed is limited to 25kmh, but I see grown men and women, who probably have been driving a car for decades suddenly seem to totally forget the importance of being predictable and clear on your intent in traffic, like positioning in the road, hands signals etc. And I also see a lot of care free cycling, guns blazing over zebra crossings, wrong way on the bicycle lane on the road, going on red lights with a “if I hurry I will probably make it” attitude.
And there is not just a few people doing it, the pre covid commute can be mayhem. I really don’t understand what goes through their mind.
I’m getting really bothered by this as a cyclist. Quite often when I approach a zebra crossing on the road, pedestrians about to cross freeze with fear in their eyes “oh crap, a cyclist, he will run me over if I cross”. Many times I have to wave pedestrians over that have the right of way before they dare to walk. And cars that have the right of way too for that matter.
Yeah in the UK we have same speed restrictions on them. But yeah the only people I know who have them (who can afford them) have not got bikes already they have cars and want a bike and this is the new thing. I can’t believe how much a half decent one costs.
They should start on a bicycle for a few weeks. Then get an ebike.
@@issacrudio989 and survive
I have enjoyed commuting on two wheels for most of my life - on bicycles, motorcycles, and now on a e-bike. Common sense is what has allowed me to travel all this time unharmed.
Common sense and patience are key
Says every person who's been hit from behind...
@@sportsfix6975 I mean, what’s your recommendation? Quit biking altogether? Cycling (at least in its non-electric variety) brings health benefits that exceed its risk. No matter what we do we can’t control what happens behind us.
@@bybikeboston1334 Biking in the streets is a crap game...too many people can't pay attention..
@@sportsfix6975 You are correct.
Here in the US most cycling is done in the same space as cars, so being able to keep up with traffic and accelerate faster has been helpful.
Only to people that wear a bag on their head, and can't see the light. Ebikes are everywhere.
As an E-bike rider, I do my best to observe traffic laws & safety, and so many non-electric bikers zoom past me without so much as a bell. It's the people, not the machines.
Exactly. So many cyclists act like cars or pedestrians whenever it suits them and do incredibly dangerous things like run red lights, weave through traffic, and ride through pedestrian cross walks.
the e scooters yes it's annoying. no honk or anything they pass incredibly close to you
I ve been doing this for over a decade, got hit by car twice on the bycicle, got high sided out of the road and down the mountain on the motorcycle. Worst injury i had wasn't on public roads. The ideea is to survive with minimal injuries. Don't get an ebike. If you are not physically fit you have higher chances to sustain serious injuries and the ebike is just lazy. You can go 40 kph in short sprints after a year or so and you won't need more then anaerobic short pumps from one stop light to another. I havent met a bad driver for a long long time and I'm in a country with really poor drivers. But you anticipate the dumb things they do and its no longer a bad driver, it's just some dude doing something you don't care about cos it's not a threat to you.
Nope. Ebikes make it way too easy for couch potato riders to go way too fast. Nice try.
@@TheTrailRabbit the huge, tricked-out fat-tired behemoths seem typically ridden by said couch potatoes, and they've been notorious for bullying their way past others on the trail, with no signal or alert of any kind. ARRRRG.
No reason an ebike should ever be faster than 20mph
No reason a car should ever be faster than 20klm.
Honestly, after getting an e-bike (which is limited to 32km/h, because Canada), riding it a few times and watching this video, i think 50km/h or more ebikes should be on the road like motorcycles and mopeds because at that point, they're pretty much electric motorcycles and should require a licence + all the equipment motorcycles need (like turning signals).
Ebikes that can exceed the 32km/h speed restriction DO require a license and likely a license plate as well. BUT thats up to each province (where I live, Manitoba, anything over 32km/h REQUIRES a license). I do agree that ebikes should be required to have headlights, rear lights + brakes lights and turn signals, but for all class of ebikes not JUST those that exceed 32km/h.
And with the amount of $$$$ people are being gouged for ebikes these days, I think headlights and such is the LEAST they could do.
Here in Germany ist 25 Kmh the Limit.
S-Pedelecs can be driven to 45kmh but the have to drive on the Street.
It doesn't really matter what you ride, a bike, ebike, motorcycle whatever. First of all it matters to ride it carefully cautious considerate to all other people, road users, animals and everything else. And whatever you ride it's functioning properly so it's not a danger for anyone and yourself. I had a bicycle with a 2000w motor, it could reach 37 mph but I didn't kill anyone and I'm still alive because I knew my bike very well, the brakes, the acceleration and I was always careful and considerate to others. The road it's not your own, you must share it with others and it's there for you to go somewhere, not to be an careless asshole. So it's about the man, not the bike
If you have ever ridden a motorcycle and and a (fast) E-Bike, you immediately notice the difference in stability. Besides the fact that E-Bikes are not built for street speeds (like are motorcycles), they are usually ridden where bicycles ride and they are going too fast there, but they can't ride where cars ride because they are too slow there. Whenever you have vehicles going at greatly different speeds, accidents are going to increase.
Bingo. I had several gas powered bicycles about 10 years ago before the e bike craze and quickly learned how dangerous sustained high speed on bicycles can be and total lack of real protection bicyclist have for 25+mph crashes. I wear full gear on motorcycle. Bicyclist might wear a helmet.
I ride motorcycle and my friend let me test out his ebike and I felt really unstable on it. The motorcycle is much safer.
with heavier weight you do sacrifice some control however, at least with an ebike you can brake and turn faster since there is more momentum built with the heavy motorcycle
Riding on the road is where most cities expect cyclists to be riding. As someone who has ridden a bike for over 20 years, on road, off road, in the winter and snow, I follow the rules of the road and ride with traffic. I can tell you ebikes are no more dangerous or unstable than any normal bike. As for the speeds well... even a normal bicycle can go as fast as 50KM/h on a smooth surface.
Bottom line is, you put enough idiot's behind the wheel of any kind of motorized vehicle and you'll end up with a good collection of accidents.
I was just looking at a bike path from my balcony and an ebike rider was going full speed down the path that pedestrians, parents pushing strollers, dogs, and they were riding full speed.
With a normal bike you have better control.
There need to be more rules for them. I get passed by them and sometimes I pass them.
But really why the rush? You might be a bit faster and it might be fun, but these ebike riders need to be more careful and the problem is the riders are not. Maybe they can ride a bike but obviously they don't have the skills and common decency to ride on public paths. It is extreme egoism and going around on ebike or normal bike without any concern for other people's safety and your own is reckless.
A good idea is for cyclists and ebikers(I'm one of those), is to drive like you are in a car, following traffic laws. I am safety minded, I wear a full helmet, have turn signals, brake lights.
Better yet, pretend you are invisible to all cars. I ride a motorcycle daily and it is my responsibility to make sure cars know I’m there. Stay out of blind spots. You are invisible to them. Stay safe!💜🚲🏍
Your video shows the reasons why I don't like to ride my bike in the city. I'm "fast" most time faster than E-bike riders, except on climbs, but in the flats I'm usually overtaking these guys, and most of them ride like there is no other cyclist around. Whem I come to crossings with the priority to the right, 3 out of 4 times I got ignored from any road users, especially those with motors (especially cars and trucks). So that's why I go outside the city to ride mostly on farm lanes and roads. No more a..h...s around.
Great video and very true to my experience. There have always been terrible clueless riders in Zurich, but they were bumbling along at 10 to 15kmh. Now that they can BUY 25 to 45 kph it is a real mess. Cheers from Zurich 👍
Usually fitter bodies come with a more alert mind, but now any old weed smoking fart who can barely ride a bike can zoom past Chris Froome until they crash at the next corner. I'll admit I have an aftermarket kit that can exceed 30 mph - a deathtrap in the hands of someone with no cycling proficiency or CBT. Having said that, with a good hill, a manual cycle can be just as fast - me bombing down the hill in Bath and almost got hit by a truck. Luckily good disc brakes and dry weather but locking the front wheel at 35 mph isn't fun.
i will say that most ebikes i meet here in Germany are restricted to 25kmh, which is good to deal with on a normal basis. The fast ones can be very dangerous, many riders are not aware of that until something goes wrong.
I'm also from Germany and I haven't seen any bikes that exceed the 25 kmh limit. I think they would also need a licence plate? Anyway, the 25 kmh bikes are fine, since I'm faster with my roadbike anyway 😛
being fast and silent makes them dangerous for pedestrians and pedal bikes. E-bikers should have insurance and pass a safety course. Where I live, e-bikes do 50kph and given time they'll be going faster still, illegally of course. If people want to kill themselves, fine! just don't take others with you.
Bullshit, going fast can be dangerous, any bike can go wicked fast downhill. Motorcycles go wicked fast. It doesn't matter what the top end is, just don't ride so fast. Would you accept a 120kph speed restricted automobile? Would a restricted auto increase or decrease accidents?
@@kevinnielsen1356 fleet engines in America in the late 70s and the eighties had governors on them to keep speeds near 55 mph. Some had a passing speed limit a bit higher. It was due to gas shortages and higher prices as OPEC formed. Speed limits had been as high as 75 mph. But now it was 55 mph and companies did not want speeding tickets. It was maddeningly slow and some people did fall asleep and crash but that's an intelligence issue. But overall safety was improved. When the law was rescinded, people still fell asleep, drove worse and the accidents are exponentially worse with greater damage and deaths. Everybody wants to be a Ricky Bobby on the road even in subdivisions, running red lights and stop signs.
So in answer to your question, yes, it decreased accidents. Think Honda msx125 vs a Kawasaki ninja 400 motorcycle: for the majority of commuters which is safer? Or most practical?
@@ewokwarrior2656 i was there for all that. In any event, none of that has anything to do with ebikes
Apparently Ebike crashes are more resemblant of motorbike crashes than those of cycling... I've had an ebike and I truly enjoyed it but I'll be the first to admit the way I rode that thing I was a much higher risk to myself and others. I'm happy to stick with a manual cycle from now on...
If only other e-bikers have the same mindset as you.
You have no self-control?
@@difflocktwo of course I do, but on an ebike you do the same things you do on a regular bike but at higher speeds.
@@bybikeboston1334 So you can't control the speed? No brakes?
@@difflocktwo go back under your bridge, troll.
Not dangerous ebikes , just dangerous ebike riders
The inexperience + speed is the issue here. On a normal bike you need to work your way up to being fast. As you do this you become an experienced rider who knows how to handle yourself on the road in traffic. A lot of these people are riding these bikes as their first bikes since they were children, and they're riding aggressively at speed, and they don't know how to get themselves out of tricky situations that come up in traffic. I have muscle memory of what to do and how to react.
Me after this video: Full throttle to 30 mph on my Chinese ebike.
😂
Having purchased an ebike recently (UK ebike speed limit is 15mph/25kph) I can agree with how differently I ride. I've gained experience from years of unassisted cycling so know how to act at those speeds, but have heard from friends that don't cycle (and tested an ebike) saying that they would want the limit increased. I'm happy either way as it's much nicer than mass-car usage.
did you have to replace anything or a battery I am wanting an ebike but am scared bc I don’t know how reliable they are as something to ride every day for years
@@kylewilliams6133 I've had a Swytch conversion kit (now sold to split my commuter and leisure bike out) and now a Brompton Electric and neither have had any reliability or maintenance issues.
thats too slow 15 is a joke.. I pedaled much faster then that..
@@Peter-td3yk ... but most people don't and aren't used to good bicycle hazard perception at those speeds. It's like an amateur racing driver saying that they drive at high speeds all the time safely, so the national road speed limit should be increased.
15 mph is slow, but not for a beginner. I can pedal at 20mph with no problem.
When I ride my bike I'm very careful and I stop at crosswalks letting people cross the streets, and how you said in the video, people are scared to cross when seeing a bike, I stop at stop signs and all other. I ride my bike like im driving a motorcycle even tho I never drived a motorcycle, and don't have a license, I know the laws better than many do that has a driving license. And I love when I ride faster than an e-bike, the feeling of riding 31km/h is awesome. I'm waiting for the payment to buy a conversion kit to make my bike electric, and ride with less effort, but still I will ride like always, with more caution.
I ride a pushbike but did ride an ebike for a few years due to knee issues. I have a motorcycle licence and been riding bicycles all my life. I do agree with some of what you say and I agree that the most dangerous thing is that drivers are not anticipating the speed of the ebikes.
It isn't a matter of "anticipation" it is a matter of LOOKING. You can observe the speed ANY object is moving at, and make decisions based upon that observed speed. Don't make the argument that you can be stupid and drive a car (which is much more of a hazard to other people, than an eBike).
The premise made in the video is weak and makes the assumption people cannot observe speed.
Drivers don't care.
One: They getting underestimated.
Two: Many drivers are older and although inexperienced at the same time.
Three: They ain't driving as offensive as they should.
True that. I had a ebike accident with a car this month in October. Idiot driver did a last minute U-turn parked on left side of kerb on main road. I was riding along and then smashed into his driver's door at bout 40 to 50kmh. It was his fault!!! Got me by surprise.
I was knocked out unconscious for a few seconds. I was helped up by public. Struggled to breathe. Taken to Hospital. Thankful to God and medical staff. No head injuries and no broken bones. I wire a helmet and gloves.
Becareful out there. Never trust drivers!! They could be in all states of mental whatever? Or they forget to look etc...
And yes sometimes it's the cyclist fault. Electric powered or not
Cars have on the right and left side these reinforced pillars of steel so the roof doesn't collapse and crush you. These stabilizing bars add a blind spot, toteswinkel, and on coming bicyclists could go unnoticed when you want to turn left. This is a huge danger.
And also as a bicyclist know that you are commuting and not competing. Respect the road and try and obey the rules of the road. Pedestrians should pay attention too and follow rules. A lot of bicyclists are clipped in which also makes cycling risky. We are not in a professional road race and the road is closed off to all types of traffic.
It's not okay to put other people at danger. Even car drivers need to get to work on time and don't want to get into an accident.
I see irresponsibility in every form. Just pay attention and I personally don't think ebikes are a good idea. I ,for one, can pass most of them with my steel frame trekking bike with a steel basket on the front. I take my commuting seriously. I take my time and don't sweat.
As a 20year plus registered nurse in Southern California if have seen death on a regular bike at slow speeds from slipping on gravel and landing wrong. Just know any cycling will leads to falls. Hopefully minor ones mostly. Be careful out there. I rode a 7 speed around town during covid lockdown and had little falls here and there.There was no one, zero cars or people on the road.Got a few scratches but still ride with respect to speed and safety at all times...
Anyone can fall and it can be very serious - that's right. But you had some falls here and there, just riding around without many people around during the COVID lockdown? I'm sorry but that's a completely different problem. You shouldn't be falling that much. I would stay off of bicycles in that case.
I found this video while wondering whether I would like to upgrade from e-bike to speedpedelec. After watching it, I am rather sure I will stick with my current 25 km/h bike. Thank you for this video, more people should see this.
Thank you for the video. I have been building e-bikes for years and each one gets better, faster, and goes longer than the one before, but they cant stop on a dime like a well tuned peddle bike. They're heavier. I really respect your getting this out there. If you have an e-bike. First of all... follow the traffic signs, lights, and all the laws regarding vehicle traffic; motorized or otherwise. Be respectful to pedestrians and motor vehicles of all kinds. (Let me think... Cars, Motorcycles, Trucks, Semi Tractor Trailers, VS E-Bike....) ?
Your life is in your hands, and maybe someone else's life too. No matter what you drive or ride. Don't focus on proving yourself... Focus on improving yourself. Just slow your (VTO-Go), (CC-Go) or (E-Go) down and think first and always about the other people around you, and enjoy a safe ride. Speed and Power have their place. E-Bikes are great for rabbit starts, and the climbing ability is tremendous, but not in a high traffic area. Thanks again. Great Video.
I go hard on my e bike.
It’s borderline too fast lol.
this actually stems from a much deeper problem here in Switzerland. politics decided that pretty much anything except writing tickets (with automated cameras) for being over the speed limit isn't worth perusing. bad accident happens, just decrease the speed limit by 25% so next time it's less bad. actually send some cops to write people up for the reason this accident happens (e.g. ignoring the right of way), way to expensive compared to the fines. so you end up with people only paying attention to the speed limit.
additionally 99.9% of the time the other driver will act to avoid the accident (an accident is basically the only time you actually get a ticket for anything that's not checked by cameras).
so you have loads of people with next to zero situational awareness, many bad habits and more attention on their speedometer than on the road. at least they are well protected by their car.
now add e-bikes: some of those people switch and they keep all their bad habits, just they now have lost the protection. and because they now can weave trough traffic, chances that someone doesn't spot them in time to avoid the accident is even greater. many of them have little experience with cycling and behave as if they still carry 1t of car-armor around with them.
oh and in Switzerland they are limited to 25 (free) or 45 (have yellow plate, need smallest motorcycle license, but it's included if you have a car license.)
I've ridden bicycles and motorcycles for over 50 years. Thousands of miles on road bicycles. I can definitely say, bicycles, electric or otherwise, are much more dangerous then motorcycles. Many new ebikers would be afraid to ride motorcycles, mistakenly believing the bicycles to be safer.
Today in Belgium I was cycling down a hill on a narrow "fietspad" bike-path and some asshole rings his bell behind me as if that someone magically makes it ok to pass me. Then within a second of ringing barely squeezes past me going +35mph... This happens so often. Just use the road if you're doing those speeds pls. You're silent, fast and deadly.
On the road not so bad but e-bikes don't belong on hiking/walking trails
in the states motorcycles are required to have turn signals a horn brake light road rated tires I think that they should also require these things for ebikes as well
I like to Spider-Man’s uncle: with great power comes great responsibility. When you don’t have to use your own muscles to get moving you lose the ability to feel how fast you are actually going. Very good cyclist gets feedback from his body. The elderly on E-bikes sometimes have difficulties to oversee complicated situations in an intersection. Younger people are sometimes just careless. All in all I think we need more training for this new situation.
Incompetent cyclist makes it harder for the rest of us.
It's the same in ALL walks of life, the majority get punished for the minorities bad behaviour.
never the fault of a person who is holding their phone and driving, because they have become used to the idea that they are protected in a steel frame and its normal to be on your phone all the time.
@@larondiealpha7807 incompetent cyclists and phone drivers make it harder for the rest of us
Get passed by the road bike users all the time. talking about safety and those guys/girls blow by me , stop signs and lights only wearing a non DOT helmet and another layer of skin (lycra). Your argument is time served on a bike. i grew up on a bike headed back and forth to school, friends houses and anywhere else around town. i also have ridden mopeds to 600cc sport bikes. Ebikes are fine as long as there isn't an asshole riding it, the same as driving a car. I watched my dad come home with missing skin and a boken collar bone a few times. My dad watched one of his team members get ran over by a truck and killed. Nearly every accident that happened was because of a CAR. the other accidents was doing over 30mph on tires as skinny as a little finger. That being said (because there is a motor involved) i think there should be a training certification before riding on the streets and i don't think anyone under 18 should be legally allowed to ride one on their own. really not trying to be cynical but there are people who passed their driver license who should not be on the road.
In the EU and UK legal e-bikes should be limited to 25kmh (around 15mph). If you ride an e-bike that goes way faster, you're basically just riding an illegal motorbike with all the legal and financial trouble that can get you into, especially if you cause and accident.
First when e-bikes exploded in popularity here it was really noticeable how inexperienced many of the riders were at riding in city traffic. You get all these people that haven't ridden a bike since they were kids, suddenly on relatively fast bikes with no idea what they're doing. Lately though I feel it's gotten a lot better, or maybe they've just been overshadowed by clueless e-scooter riders. :)
In the EU/UK e-bikes ARE limited to 25km/u.
I have been riding e-bikes for years. I built my first from a kit, a 350w mid motor. It really was meant to operate as a PAS system, the accelerator was not subtle and I hardly ever used it because of the rapid power drain. I mounted the kit on a boy’s 24” mountain bike. I had been riding road bikes for years before building the ebike but we moved to a house on a very steep hill and I simply couldn’t climb the hill on a regular bike, no matter what gearing. Too old, and I never was a great hill climber.
I rode my first ebike a bit. It solved the hill problem but I was never really comfortable on it. The bike (a 36 V system) was a bit underpowered for the hill I live on, although it was fine for everything else.
This year I replaced the first ebike with a super73 Z. It is so much more fun to ride and feels much more stable. I can put my feet on the ground when I stop and don’t have to partially dismount every time I stop. This removes the temptation to charge stop signs and intersections and makes it much easier to access the buttons that activate the walk signs and controlled intersections. The super73 is also a 36V system and a 500W hub motor. It has no PAS but the accelerator works really well at low speeds, unlike my first bike. Still a bit underpowered for my hill, I max out the accelerator and pedal as well. Otherwise it has plenty of power to travel at 10 - 15 mph which is all I need.
I did upgrade my helmet when I started riding the super 73. The newer bicycle helmets offer more coverage than the old ones and the helmet makers seem to understand that many riders are on ebikes now. A motorcycle helmet would be much too heavy and fog too easily.
I live in a suburb in the US and bicycle traffic is generally not at all challenging simply because there are far fewer people on bikes. I mostly ride in bike lanes on roads with low traffic or on neighborhood streets. Sometimes I ride on the sidewalk if it can’t be avoided, due to lack of cycling infrastructure. The lack of cycling infrastructure is the main problem where I live. The kind of congestion you see in this video just doesn’t happen.
Here in the U.K. E-Bikes are limited to 15mph……however they are easily adapted to bypass this limiter. 🙄
Good to bypass the rediculous speed restrictions. Although, if one rides an unrestricted ebike a license should be required.
It could also be argued that ebikes are not fast enough to keep pace with in town traffic therefore making operation dangerous.
If you can't handle the extra speed and responsibility, ride a regular bike. Simple!!
im always humble when im on the streets. even driving a car i always slow down if someone tries to overtake :)
In the uk if you want to use an ebike that is more than 15.5mph pedal assist it must have a license plate and you must have a provisional license and passed your CBT (training course for moped) as they are legally classed as mopeds. But there are alot of kids getting given cheap 1kw ebikes for Christmas that are twist and go they dont even need to be pedalled.
its the scooters i see the kids in mostly. saw one flash past me as i was pulling back out , after allowing emergency service past . nearly clipped him, he must of been doing 40mph. on a 30mph road.
The Problem: Riders with the skills/reaction time for 15 mph are riding 25-30 mph
I’m a daily E bike rider I have over 1000 miles on my bike I had one accident I broke my wrist. However, that accident was not with another person I was just being stupid out by the lake and flipped the bikes going about 10 miles an hour. But it gave me an appreciation of the machine because if I was going 25 I probably would’ve been dead or several broken bones or wishing I was dead.
Just beginning my E-bike experience and i must admit i never even thought about this total lunacy from other riders
although i have been riding a motorcycle for some years in the city so i guess i kind of expect others to do what they want.
thanks
You are correct. Maybe 90% of ebikers are not experienced or rude and not thinking of safety and don't follow rules. I'm an ebiker but I think defensively.
As an E-Biker I treat and ride my bike similarly to a motorcycle, the biggest problems are that most E-Bike cyclists treat them like regular bikes and all road users should begin to assume any bike could be powered, course this is hard when many car drivers hate bikes and many cyclists will continue to treat E-Bikes as bikes
Good video. As someone from the UK, living in CH for 22 years, there is a certain Swiss factor in this. The CH driving standards are simply terrible, I’m no sunday driver, I drive for enjoyment but drive safely and am aware of my surroundings and know when to let people know of my intentions (ie indicated before braking and before actually manoeuvring! I see 99% of cars, inc police and learner drivers, indicate once they are through a junction or after they even exit a roundabout. The don’t leave gaps, they constant pull out of junctions as long as the think your braking will prevent an accident. I was stopped at a red light near Jumbo I’m Suhr and behind was a driving instructor showing a video to the learner and then he put it away when the light went green! Anyway, the point is. The Swiss are like this in many things, driving, cycling, getting on a train, parking in a car park. I can get my door open but I couldn’t give a shit if you can’t get in your car easily. A very selfish nation.
What bike is that called and can i get it in the UK?
In U.K. ebikes are limited to around 15mph/25kph assistance, only older ebikes have a throttle. There are a few motorised electric bikes but they’re illegal & do ridiculous speeds.
And what is ratio of ebikes to regular bicycles?
Not sure, but it's bound to overtake regular bikes soon. Here in my town, some bike shops only have about 10% non- e-bikes in inventory.
It’s not the bike it’s the rider
Been cycling in the city for 10 years never had an issue really. Follow the rules and be respectful especially of vehicles.
Granted I am in California, where we have much wider roads and fewer crazier intersections than what is depicted here, but as someone who started on an acoustic bike, and then got on a “class 2” ebike, and graduated to a “class 3” ebike, and am now looking at electric motorcycle scooters, I have to agree that a gradual approach and building up experience before adding speed is the right approach. At the higher end, these e-bikes ARE motorcycles. I never would have thought I’d be looking to buy a real motor bike, but at some point I realized that my ebike already was one, just without the security, suspension, and safety features required for a real DOT approved motor bike.
Yes it's so fast that their bikes are getting totaled right away lol
yeah i just got an ebike i think people see bike and think you are going slow, literally had a lady pass me up im doing 25mph and its a school zone thats 20mph in a neighborhood... and good thing there wasnt a cop in sight, i was about to turn left, she almost hit me.
A license, helmet, lights, insurance and registration for electric bikes and scooters should be mandatory. Of course any kind of modifications and custom makings shoult de banned.
man, I am glad we are getting to the days of complaining about bike riders acting like cagers. At least with E-Bikes, we won't see 2,00,000 annual deaths worldwide like we do with cages. That number would be something like 2,000 at least and 20,000 at most if everyone adopted ebikes right now worldwide.
Yes, before getting a fast e-bike, one should have experience with normal bicycles.
Also it seems, some people don't understand that it's allowed to drive slower than full speed.
Now I just got myself a fast one. It's amazing, it keeps you fit while taking you to far places. But be aware that it's not a bicycle.
Is it legal in Switzerland foe ebikes to give support above 25kph? I very rarely go much faster than this on my ebike - and if I do all the power comes from me (or gravity) not the motor. My top speeds are actually higher on my road bike - but my average speed is higher on my ebike.
I have been using ebikes for about six years now and yes they can very dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced rider . I still think it comes back to the basics people who drive cars badly also ride bicycles badly and with ebikes you have the combination of bad driving skills , little protection and high speed combined. It all comes back to the operator, ebikes are not the problem , bad operators are . Pity some people have to be injured or even die to realize the rules of the road apply to all vehicles including ebikes. People please use your helmet but most importantly use your brain that's in the helmet when you ride your ebike or any vehicle for that matter .
Is that Fabian Cancellara racing away from the peloton at over 35 miles and hour on cobbles? His electric bike was a good'ern.
Mine does 63mph. I now have 2 fractured ankles, terrible road rash, and a hyperextended acl
You're lucky to be alive riding at that speed. And let me guess, your only protection at the time was a helmet?
@@metarugia2176 no helmut.i was lucky though. I'm icing my knee right now.i learned my lesson for next time
Absolutely fantastic video Mr.
Top marks
My MOM almost died with the Pedelec, and I almost died too. Serious head injuries, these parts are not without. I don't even know if her life isn't in danger after all, the case law is still not entirely clear?!?!? It wasn't even smooth, and still, it was autumn, but people were cycling on the bike path and there weren't any leaves lying around.
This makes no sense. An ebike increases acceleration, not speed, and only up to 25km/h. I have one and guys in spandex ride faster than me, even on climbs. It makes no sense to say that an ebike is more dangerous than a bike.
In the U.S. a lot of Ebikes have a top speed of 30 mph but I have never seen anyone ride one as recklessly as the people in this video.
@@versatyledc Roadies ride like the reckless riders in the videos all the time. I have chased roadies on my electric motorcycle and they go way faster than 30 kph and they never use their brakes.
Very true, we ride them as if they're bicycles, but they are not. I've been addicted to them for a few years now, owned several different types from regular wheel to fat tire, 250w to 1,500w, 20" and 26" wheels. The freedom is unbelievable and where we can ride them, here in Texas anyway is nearly unlimited. I've even ridden over 40mph but being in my 60's slowed me down at the thought of injury at that age. I even had a mechanical failure where my bike wouldn't stop even when braking until I had the good sense to just shut it off just to stop. I have a 20" folding fat tire AWD that I take everywhere in my jeep. I love the freedom and possibilities but just now becoming aware of how to operate as I should have all along.
Some e bikers ride too fast on the canal towpaths which we share with walkers kids etc in the uk .they to slow down and think of others.
Don't they have speed limit in that country?
The main problem I've seen within the last few years is the attitude of beginning cyclists getting on E-bikes. Many (not all of course) get an e-bike believing they will be faster than a conventional bicycle. In some cases they are (like hills and wind) but it's the snobbery from ppl who after all these decades just decided that a bicycle (conventional and motorized) is the way to go. "But a conventional bicycle is too slow..I need to be faster than a car!" If this is the attitude one might have, then cycling is not for that person. Most accidents are caused by inexperience and careless riding.
I have been riding an e-bike for many year and I haven't get hit by cars and motorcycles yet. I ride my e-bike up to 50 km/h.
Great video
I've found the faster you're going the safer you are. I've been hit by a car on my old ebike going 10mph in a school parking lot. Dude hit me going 35mph and broke my foot. I stay around 40-60mph on my skateboard and everything has been fine. It's much better having the power to move asap if needed to avoid getting ran over. Here in America people will try to run you off the road if your in anything but a gas hog. Mopeds, motorcycles, bikes, escooter anything! Drivers in America are insane!!!
40-60mph on a board? Good luck hitting a pothole at that speed and walking away.
@@timscott3027 Like most long-board riders, he probably has developed a skill which car drivers lack, he looks for irregularities on the road ahead. My step son had his first experience with this a couple days ago on his electric longboard. You can be certain that he will be on the lookout for them in the future. He was only going about 20 MPH at the time. Most people develop this skill while still operating at slower speeds.
I have a full suspension eBike, and even with all of that I developed the intentional examination of the road ahead. But then, I used to compete in road races on a pedal-only bike with fly-weight 700c rims with sew-up tires. It is a real pain to fix a flat on those tires. After every major race, there were people replacing rims.
All skills are learned, often the hard way.
E-bikes in Switzerland do not have built-in speed limiter? I recently bought an e-bike too (as a second bike for specific use), and during the search all of them had a 25 km/h speed limit as a maximum achievable speed with electrical assistance (over 25km/h you need serious strength to move your 20-25kg weighing bike). Of course you can hack it and re-wire the system but I don't think everybody does that :)
Which I can still think of, maybe it is only valid in the EU and not in CH.
the ones with yellow numberplates are speed pedelecs and limited to 45 km/h, all the others are limited to 25. If you hack a 25 pedelec it is illegal and the insurance will not help you if you are in an accident. I am using a speed pedelec myself and you have to be careful as lots of drivers still underestimate you. What I hate are regular bicyclists using me as a windshield. I am not used to that and it is dangerous because inside a city sometimes you have to brake instantly, I don't want a man hanging on my ass because he thinks he is a hero following me in my shadow... LOL
Have fun going up your swiss alps with only a 250 watt motor going sub 25kph up a hill!🤣🤣
People on E bikes tend not to come to a complete stop when they’re supposed to because they’re much heavier and they cannot balance the bike properly when they are stopped. So they just blow through lights and stop signs.
E bike riders should have to go on a test. The bikes should have mirrors on them as well.. They getting quicker and faster..
I already see a fail and that's not looking behind you when your potentially about to come into contact with someone behind you when crossing or passing
it’s like cars 3 opening where McQueen couldn’t keep up with the ‘new gens’ 😞
on the road you better anticipate shit or you're a dead man. assume everyone is crazy & you will be fine.
I think the solution is to have a license for e-bike. e-bike is a transportation that have comparable speed to normal car and motorcycle. An uneducated person who are clueless of traffic rule that have access to something that are as fast as car and motorcycle is mildly dangerous
this is why I’m scared riding my bike on the highway 😩😫😢😬
Very interesting. Greetings from Greece...
Unfortunately, most of these accidents are caused by lack of respect for the rules and dangerous driving - as is perfectly demonstrated in this video. Many cyclists, including non E-bikers, think they're invincible and exempt from all traffic rules. Yet again shown in this video by the many red lighters and even the cyclist that honks at the pedestrian for using the pedestrian crossing! This mentality is the cancer in traffic that causes all these accidents. I drove many kilometers with my car at my previous job, but the last 2 years i've been driving with an E-bike to work and I ordered a speed pedelec because I will be doing more KM's next year (64 per day). I feel much more confident in traffic because I've been driving a car for the past 11 years and I know what the look out for and I also know the traffic rules. For regular bikes and E-Bikes (25km/h ones) there is no driving license required - hence they do not know the actual rules in traffic and where to give right of way etc... I think we should all drive more defensively and pay attention to our surroundings. Common sense. When I ride my bike through village centers, I never ride full speed. I always slow down to a safe pace so I can react accordingly when people come rushing out of store and other similar situations. We must all live together on this planet, so it's best to be a little more understanding and drive defensively. If you're late for work, leave earlier. Then you can take it easy.
This is all rider respect and road etiquette. Same as other non car groups ie motorcycles . We have to learn to first respect each other. There are going to be a lot of laws and issues that we are going to have to combat as a group. First we have to respect each other
Haha i like that you called that guy out
It’s the riders not the bike itself if used responsibly by a person who has rode a normal bike also it’s fine but yes maybe for inexperienced bikers a ebike isn’t good for those people
Thank you for this video because I also ride electric bicycle too but I'm more careful than the one's that where on the video because I take my riding seriously man I really love looking at ebikes videos but what I don't like is when they start popping Willies running stop signs and red lights ,I don't support those videos and I never shall
Wart uf de Tag wo ich di in Muttenz/Basel mol seh!
i Admit getting an Ebike you have to be so much more aware of your surroundings because those bikes really do fly, especially if your close distance around pedestrians turn your PAS Off or if your that lazy have it on Assist 1 with fingers on the brakes and stay in your lane. people who've never ridden a normal bike that own an ebike should try it for a day. You should be respectful with the advantage of having a Motor on your wheel.
Ppl you gotta be responsible with crap like that. The moterized bike are fun but you have to respect what they are. A human powered machine that has a engine added. Sure it can go faster than normal but that doesn't mean you should go fast. Especially on bike path with other cyclist. On a bike path I might have my engine on but it just idling along until I get away from ppl. Never know when a child or some one will walk into ur path and bad enough hitting some one normally but with the added weight and speed stand a good chance of a serious injury.
I have a truck for Canadian winters and for maintaining my properties, a 150cc Honda scooter (120-135 Imp. mpg) for seven months of the year, and a couple of pedal bikes...because bikes are about simplicity, convenience and economy, not worrying about whether or not my overweight e-bike will make it home before my battery dies. The people that I know that have or want an e-bike are some of the most inconsiderate drivers on our roads.
mirrors would help
No - are cars too fast?
The issue is that allot of those accidents come from just people who do not respect how much power is actually in their hands.
Going 20+ mph is serious. You should be wearing a helment, and maybe even rider gear honestly.
Deff if you're trying to commute and like most of the US< is infostructure is archaic, you will find yourself in mahy dangerous situations.
I have experience riding bikes for 15-20 plus and ebike for a couple of years now back on regular bike for the time being, but I partly agree and disagree with you. It is 100% the people riding, I see bad riding across the board. I drive buses for a living too and see bad driving as well. I think some of the reason your seeing ebike accidents more is because a lot of riders are coming to ebikes from a background driving cars. I don't know the laws where you live but in the UK people have to pass a driving test once and that's it, and then they pick up bad habits driving, cutting corners, speeding, overtaking too close, late braking, general arrogance etc. Then they are taking their shitty driving attitude across to their ebike. We need more education and policing of roads here, too many people are getting away with bad and dangerous driving everyday, not sure if things are exactly the same for you there.
Some people just do not deserve to own any vehicle. Rules are simple, people are simpler.
Same samples are not even e-bikes.
I don´t want E-Bike. I am riding to do some sport, not to use more electricity :-D
And second thing is in my town, to many bicycles are stolen. So I can sleep good only when I have normal bike from sale for 500 USD for example.
My next ebike will be pedal assist only, no throttle. I rode mine a year until I almost killed myself. Yes, way too fast.
Here in UK we have ebike laws limiting the motor to 250w and 15.5mph. They are legal EAPCs. I agree with one poster who says you get idiots whichever mode of transport. The overriding thing is they do so without due care and attention to other road users. Often because they are just selfish and won’t be told otherwise. So don’t blame
The ebike blame the riders who are selfish, ride too fast and without due care and attention.
I'm old enough to remember when "electric bikes" were called "motorcycles", aka motorized bicycles. Just because it's got an electric motor instead of a gasoline motor doesn't make it not a motorcycle.
Idiots near me taking their electric motorcycles on exercise paths and typically used at high speeds by idiotic teenagers too fat and lazy to use a pedal bike.
They are new bikers and normally they would make these mistakes at slower speeds so it's more dangerous. My city is very hilly so they are becoming popular here. I think it's great overall but like everything there will be problems, that is just how humans are.