Electric Bikes: Aural Annoyance or Environmental Ally?

For when pedaling is just too much work. (AP)

You may have noticed that electric bikes, or "e-bikes," are increasingly popular in New York. But before you get swept up in the fad, be aware they're technically banned from state roads and city streets, which makes sense, because these things are annoying as they are dangerous—especially when driven by reckless delivery men who tear around like maniacs. The problem is that some e-bikers act like cyclists, using bike lanes and crowding bridge paths, when in fact they have the speed and force of a motor vehicle. And yet a proposal in Albany could flood NYC with these abominations!

Today Spokes takes a look at the e-bike trend, and notes that a bill making its way through Albany would amend the law to allow electric bikes with a top speed of 20 mph. While it's true that some pedal-powered cyclists sometimes suprass speeds of 20 mph, at least they earn it. But like most modes of transportation, the owners love their rides. Local screenwriter Anthony Jaswinski (Backwoods) rides a moped-style A2B and tells Spokes, "Love love love it. Can’t help but grin a little when gliding by angry cars and even scooters. Two times cops have approached me. Both times, they asked where they could get a bike like the A2B."

You know who else loves the A2B? Jay Leno. 'Nuff said. If these things get any more popular, you can count on an inevitable turf war rumble between the e-bikers, the moped gangs in Greenpoint, and the Black Label bike kill crowd. Which is our fantasy.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on October 20, 2009 4:59 PM

Comments [rss]

AdamTorski

Great bike i have bought it and tried it out really excelent quality but the design didnt quite speak to me. I changed it at bicycle motor they have chrommed it and now it looks a lot better if you have that bike i really advice to do the same.

namtab

Wow. The author must go to the Fox News school of journalism.

"The speed and force of a motor vehicle"???? You have no idea what you are talking about, you clearly didn't do any research and you are hate mongering with lies.

Yeah, that's Fox News for ya. Palin 2012 Baby!

potsmoker

none of you translpants from Ohio even remember when something in 2001 called Ginger was supposed to change the landscape of the entire planet.

Dwayne Hoover

The eZee Forza weighs 58lbs and has a top speed of 22mph. Hardly comparable to "the speed and force of a motor vehicle", even a Vespa! And FYI, it's not all that hard for anyone in reasonable shape to break 20mph on any bike....I've done up to 37-39mph under pedal power on a slight incline.

verbal

fuckin chinamen running up on sidewalks at high speed - i'm going to start carrying an air horn and blast them as they get close

Jen S

Related? I heard of these guys last week - they're taking this idea to Obama: http://www.shockingbarack.com/

Bike Rider

environmental ??? it's just a longer tailpipe

DarkGemini

"Speed and force" of a motor vehicle?

Aural annoyance?

I don't know where to start? The obvious ridiculousness of this article, or the fact that Obvious Troll obviously wrote this article?

I should've just hit the back button...

Spirit of 76

I've had one for over a decade. JDS doesn't know what he's talking about. He's just trying to rouse the rabble, as usual. "Speed and force of a motor vehicle," indeed. They're not even as fast or heavy as a 50cc scooter. And what's this "aural annoyance"? Did JDS mention anything about the way they sound even once in the piece? Maybe because they don't make any sound? Judging from his picture in the Sigg piece some months back, he could use some exercise.

CR

Your average cyclist goes 15mph. Only those in excellent shape are going to be able to sustain 20mph on a flat surface over a long distance.

Also, that A2B thing is MASSIVE - where's the average NYer going to park that thing?

Erk

wee! that means according to CR I'm in excellent shape! I'm gonna order chinese...

emilydickinson

Have you ever ridden one of these bikes? They "have the speed and force of a motor vehicle" for about 5 minutes, then the battery starts to die and they barely move.