[michaelt]

To me, that sounds like a task for your country’s lawmakers, rather than “Just don't call them ebikes”

Motorbikes need training, a license, insurance, registration, a minimum age, etc - and you’re competing with small petrol motorcycles which are cheap new, and plentiful on the used market.

E-bike makers aren’t going to volunteer for that - it’d destroy their business.

[gimmeThaBeet]

yeah this seems to be the catch 22 to me. the laws are out there to limit the e-bikes to speeds and power. i want an irresponsibly powered one because i have an endorsement and want a non-sketch electric motorcycle that isn't mad expensive compared to petrol bikes in north america.

but because that would indeed kill their market because most people don't have motorcycle licenses, no one gets them approved, or countries won't allow them.

[WarmWash]

New Jersey just passed some of the most onerous and short sighted ebike laws in the world last month.

Basically anything that has two wheels and a non-human energy source drive is now a motorcycle, requiring a license, registration (including a license plate), insurance, and a DOT approved motorcycle helmet, as well as This law came on the back of two teens being killed on ebikes last year.

This is the exact kind of idiotic knee-jerk legislation that will come from the public and governments general ignorance on the state of electric tandem wheel transportation.

So now in New Jersey, Betsy with her class 1 250W pedal assist ebike must get her license and don her motorcycle helmet while only riding on roads with her insured, registered, and license plated 15 mph bicycle.

Lawmakers aren't going to do their homework, they will just kneejerk appease the general public.

[parineum]

This is what happens when ebike companies take every opportunity to skirt the laws like putting easily removable limiters on motorcycles with pedals and a chain with a gear ratio that makes pedalling practically impossible.

I don't know if there was an existing attempt at regulation in NJ specifically but that's happening all around the country.

The problem is that, while ebikes have a ton of really good use cases, the big market for them is basically kids who want to drive a motorcycle before they're allowed. Ebike companies are going to try to sell to that market any way they can.

[occz]

>E-bike makers aren't going to volunteer for that it'd destroy their business.

Arguably, complete bans will be even worse for business.