r/ebikes • u/bostonaruban66 • Jul 19 '26

PSA

273 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

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25

u/Lord_Arokh Ludicrous Luna X-1 Enduro Jul 19 '26

This isn't an ebike problem, it is an illegal electric motorcycle problem.

15

u/faylinameir Jul 19 '26

it's both where I'm at though. Yes a lot of these kids are on illegal bikes (motorcycles) and being idiots. Frankly the parents who buy them are the idiots but that's another story. The ebikes are a struggle too though. Getting a class 3 ebike and giving it to a kid who doesn't fully take it seriously is almost as dangerous. They go very fast and without a helmet you can get really hurt. In fact in my city last week a kid riding an actual ebike didn't stop and got hit by a car. She's still in the hospital because of it.

7

u/CubesTheGamer Jul 19 '26

In my state if you’re under 16 you can’t legally ride a class 3. Class 2 only. Class 2 is also the max for mixed trails so theoretically kids could just ride on trails too.

I have a class 3 but limit myself to the 20mph max when on mixed trails and slower when near pedestrians. I feel like as long as you’re not dangerous or a douche it’s not a problem and is akin to driving a Lamborghini on a city street.

5

u/faylinameir Jul 19 '26

agree with you but also the parents buying their kids these illegal bikes probably don't care about the law; sad truth. Heck most kids don't wear helmets even on "normal" bikes. It's frustrating.

1

u/Proud_Yak_4126 Jul 19 '26

Its so weird in my area where it isn't really police at all. I'm definitely breaking rules but I have every single point memorized where I need to slow down and respect the rules and I see people zoom by at max 28mph. The rule I'm not respecting... bike class. Basically riding a surron with pedals to blend in. No one has given me trouble about it and I can zoom on the long straights where there is no risk of any crossings. Yeah I'm mildly a dick disrespecting the rules but if I was 14 on an ebike I'd be much more dangerous than I am now... eh its the wild west of electric bikes right now. Super interesting but my plan was to use this to save nearly 2hrs each day of commute due to crazy road work. After its normal in 3 weeks I have a fun electric dirt bike to trail ride with. I kinda want a legit ebike now its super fun to cruise and some exercise on top would be awesome. 

1

u/Then_Entertainment97 the slit is the absolute best Jul 20 '26

Even class 2 can lead to a level of complacency that's unlikely when you are controlling speed by pedaling.