Thoughts on using electric unicycles?

[hayden55]

Originally Posted by JSH

Was Louis riding an electric bicycle or an electric motorcycle? (An electric bicycle as defined by the NY law: Less than 20 mph, 1 hp or less, no throttle)

If he was riding an electric motorcycle then arrest and confiscation of the vehicle is the normal police action. When the police stop a personal riding a gas powered motorcycle and that person does not have a license, the motorcycle is not registered, and the motorcycle is not insured that person can be arrested and the vehicle impounded. It happens all the time at checkpoints.

This comes down to people not following the law and then complain when they get caught.

From the video of his just a standard electric bicycle mountain bike.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by hayden55

From the video of his just a standard electric bicycle mountain bike.

From his build video:
He is using a Bafang BBSHD middrive which is illegal for on-road use.
In the setup he sets the max speed to 60 mph.

So he is riding a motorcycle per NYC and Federal law.

[hayden55]

Nah I'm talking about the ebike ban in nyc. All electric bicycles were banned. I do see type 1 is okay now though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J02iZ3FvRoc

(6:40)

https://ride.tech/mobility-lifestyle...-no-go-in-nyc/

[redpoint5]

I don't even know how you go about banning an Ebike. As long as you pedal, you could just say you were pedaling the bike. Doesn't seem like something that's enforceable. Not only that, but I don't see how the slower speed of a pedal bike in traffic is more safe than being able to keep up with traffic. Is there research showing that a bike capable of going with the flow of traffic is more dangerous than one that isn't? Finally, what business is it of the government on how I take risk? There's no law against balancing on the top rung of a ladder on one foot, but that's probably very risky. Should we outlaw balancing on the top rung of a ladder on 1 foot, or just assume people will be responsible for evaluating risk.

[Frank Lee]

Re: e-unis: I think there would be too much bleeding.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Re: e-unis: I think there would be too much bleeding.

Most of the vids I've seen show people pretty decked out in armor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lobc_9XqRBw

[JSH]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I don't even know how you go about banning an Ebike. As long as you pedal, you could just say you were pedaling the bike. Doesn't seem like something that's enforceable. Not only that, but I don't see how the slower speed of a pedal bike in traffic is more safe than being able to keep up with traffic. Is there research showing that a bike capable of going with the flow of traffic is more dangerous than one that isn't? Finally, what business is it of the government on how I take risk? There's no law against balancing on the top rung of a ladder on one foot, but that's probably very risky. Should we outlaw balancing on the top rung of a ladder on 1 foot, or just assume people will be responsible for evaluating risk.

NYC is using the presence of a throttle on the bike as the deciding factor. Easy to see, easy to enforce, and any bike with a throttle is a motor vehicle in NYC.

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I don't even know how you go about banning an Ebike.

Tour de France needed close inspection to find hidden motors in 2015.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Tour de France needed close inspection to find hidden motors in 2015.

I'd like to see an unlimited bike race where you can do anything as long as it's 100% human powered. The basic bike shape hasn't changed since 1885. We might see some trickledown innovation if there were an unlimited class.

[Grant-53]

See recumbents.com for events. The DMV laws in each state specify the definition of a motor vehicle by class.