When is an ebike not an ebike? When it has a powerful illegal engine. Get this menace off our roads | Peter Walker
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/sep/15/ebike-powerful-illegal-engine-roads-cyclist
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/sep/15/ebike-powerful-illegal-engine-roads-cyclist
13 Comments
skeezix@lemmy.world · 10 pts · 1d
Ebikes dont have engines you bozo they have motors. What if im going down a long hill on my speed limited e-bike and get up to 20mph from gravity assist?
rumschlumpel@feddit.org · 6 pts · 1d
Typically, when an ebike is going too fast the motor disengages. Non-issue.
prex@aussie.zone · 3 pts · 1d
There was a photo somewhere of some european cops using a portable dyno.
Im sure a lot of these bike can have lockouts & secret 'boost mode' type stuff but it seemed like a fair way of checking them.
nilloc@discuss.tchncs.de · 1 pts · 1d
That makes sense. I wonder if it measures the torque input requirements vs output, or is it just measuring the maximum speed the motor will spin.
We used to regularly break the speed limit (35mph) going down hills in my neighborhood on our 1980s 10-speeds.
Digestive_Biscuit@feddit.uk · 1 pts · 1d
My ebike is road legal in the UK. But the controller can be used to override the settings and use it as an illegal bike. I don't do this because if I got caught then I can loose my driving license. It would be deemed as a moped/motorcycle which won't have an MOT, insurance, tax. Which basically means they could come down heavy and also pin driving a dangerous vehicle (ie no safety checks via MOT). Not worth the risk.
Sadly the police here only seem to be interested in enforcing these laws when it's in their favour, like finding a legit way to bust a drug dealer.
Digestive_Biscuit@feddit.uk · 2 pts · 1d
A motor is a type of engine. Just like how jet engines, steam engines, internal combustion engines are.
If you're going down a big hill that's no different than being on a normal bicycle.
_haha_oh_wow_@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 23h
You can get up to 20 on an unpowered bike on a flat no problem even if you're not in very good shape, the motor and battery would just be slowing you down at that point on a class 1 or 2.
ThomasWilliams@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 1d
But e-scooters which are a total death trap are fine ?
psx_crab@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 1d
I'm pretty sure the "powerful engine" also include the e-scooter with insanely high power motor that can go for 40mph.
Malica@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 21h
Yeah those are dangerous especially if given to kids
vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 7 pts · 23h
Well if it's an ebike it's not an engine, it's a motor.... Like I get it's a stupid technicality but this had to go through an editor, and imo that's a pretty large mistake to have in a title.
fruitycoder@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1d
I mean I think I get it. They are talking dedicated bike roads right? It makes sense for most dedicated bike roads and pathways pedestrians share that you should have weight and speed maximums.
If they are talking on mixed car roads? Moron. If they are talking dedicated bike lane on mixed car roads that seems like a real pain in the ass problem to solve, but honestly yeah a problem still.
Malica@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 21h
E bikes have motors, not engines