Is it a bicycle or a motorbike? Fight Fight Fight

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I think we're all going to be hearing a lot more about ebikes...
 
I guess the issue is that for a lot of people the nuance is irrelevant because they're not interested in any type of bike.

You would hope that any new laws would make the distinction between pedal and throttle 'bicycles'

But you can totally see how that might not happen, particularly with scenes like at the golf course.

I have to confess the animated gif in the article did make me laugh though. Maybe they can outlaw golf as well while they're at it.
 
The easiest distinction between bicycle and motorbike is:

Does it have a motor?

  • Yes. Then it's a motorbike. (needs a licence)
  • No. Then it is a bicycle. (doesn't need a licence)

Now, I do not have a problem with pedalelecs on mtb trails but if society (and the government) want a simple solution to the eeeeee-pidemic, then the above covers all bases.

Does it have a motor (pedalelec included)? Then it needs to be registered AND you need a licence to operate it.

Just my opinion WRT a blanket fix for the problem that has arisen from electric motor assisted balance bikes :p
 
fjohn860 said:
The easiest distinction between bicycle and motorbike is:

Does it have a motor?

  • Yes. Then it's a motorbike. (needs a licence)
  • No. Then it is a bicycle. (doesn't need a licence)

Now, I do not have a problem with pedalelecs on mtb trails but if society (and the government) want a simple solution to the eeeeee-pidemic, then the above covers all bases.

Does it have a motor (pedalelec included)? Then it needs to be registered AND you need a licence to operate it.

Just my opinion WRT a blanket fix for the problem that has arisen from electric motor assisted balance bikes :p
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The other issue would be that if you need a licence, it would need to be registered, if it needs to be registered, it needs to be ADR compliant for the road as a motor cycle is. Apart from just a couple of actual electric motorcycles, no Ebike is ADR compliant. Pedalelec bikes come under bicycle ADRs.

Again, it is no different to my YZ250. Yes, it's a motorcycle, but it's not ADR compliant so I can't ride it on the roads, public foot paths, etc. These Ebikes aren't legal as they already are not allowed on public roads, shared paths and public places. It's not like what these dickheads are doing is legal and the rules need to be changed.

If you ban "Ebikes" that would mean that you would have to stop any electric bike from coming into the country.
 
Stredda said:
The other issue would be that if you need a licence, it would need to be registered, if it needs to be registered, it needs to be ADR compliant for the road as a motor cycle is. Apart from just a couple of actual electric motorcycles, no Ebike is ADR compliant. Pedalelec bikes come under bicycle ADRs.

Again, it is no different to my YZ250. Yes, it's a motorcycle, but it's not ADR compliant so I can't ride it on the roads, public foot paths, etc. These Ebikes aren't legal as they already are not allowed on public roads, shared paths and public places. It's not like what these dickheads are doing is legal and the rules need to be changed.

If you ban "Ebikes" that would mean that you would have to stop any electric bike from coming into the country.
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Yep. That's pretty much what I was getting at, they aren't ADR compliant. There is no easy fix.

But then, there is a reason why all bicycles sold in Australia must have dork discs, reflectors (and at one point a maximum allowed handlebar width) etc.

For my blunt (and fanciful) proposal to work any vehicle with a motor would need an ADR kit to be sold with it (like below):
1768784574562.png
 
Mattyp said:
I'm fine with this
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Well, then where do you stop? Plenty of hoons on pit bikes. Ban all motorcycles as well? Hoons in cars. Ban cars?

Do you really want to be the "I don't do (insert thing I don't do here) so it should be banned" person?

fjohn860 said:
Yep. That's pretty much what I was getting at, they aren't ADR compliant. There is no easy fix.

But then, there is a reason why all bicycles sold in Australia must have dork discs, reflectors (and at one point a maximum allowed handlebar width) etc.

For my blunt (and fanciful) proposal to work any vehicle with a motor would need an ADR kit to be sold with it (like below):
View attachment 422021
Click to expand...
Exactly, they are already illegal so it's just a matter of policing the issue. Just don't let them get off with a slap on the wrist.
 
I think adding a level of personal responsibility to the purchase by the purchaser - A simple acknowledgment of the laws governing the bike you just purchased - Bike gets modified out of spec / ridden where not compliant it gets destroyed and owners fined. I think registration and licensing is going to be a huge undertaking given the volume in use and probably unrealistic.
 
Minlak said:
I think adding a level of personal responsibility to the purchase by the purchaser - A simple acknowledgment of the laws governing the bike you just purchased - Bike gets modified out of spec / ridden where not compliant it gets destroyed and owners fined. I think registration and licensing is going to be a huge undertaking given the volume in use and probably unrealistic.
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While I totally agree with @Mattyp , the above is a great suggestion and could be applied equally to pit bikes, YZS250's and Surrons.
I think this also applies to an E-mtb which has been modified to be faster than the allowable maximum speed in the relevant jurisdiction. No warnings, just crush it and a $1500 fine.
I also think if you have a BMI over 30 then you should be escorted from the trails to a re education camp where you can stop putting pies in your face to lose weight. Sitting on a powered bike isn't exercise.
 
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