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ridein wrote:

Why any big concern with "e-bike rider whizzing past" ? Granted the first time is a bit of a shocker. There will be quiet electric motorcycles doing at least 3X=5X a bicyclist speed in the very near future.

How about the fact that these current "modified" devices are inherintly dangerous, and also illegal.  An E-bike is legally restricted to 250W, and a max assisted speed of 25km/h across the EU area. The brakes on these monsters are no better than normal bike brakes, yet they weigh a lot more, and where they have been tested are unfit for purposse.
Many of these "can" be made street legal, in Norway at least you can register them, get a number plate, pay insurance, and use a motorcycle helmet - then keep out the bike lanes.
As an example of the issue, a rider in Tronheim is looking at (equivalent to) £7,500 in compenasation to a cyclist he hit, plus 6 month loss of his driving licence, and several weeks in jail after he crashed his modified "e-bike" with a 5600W motor into another cyclist and broke her neck. Drivers on the road alongside report that as they were doing 60-70 km/h he was "sailing past with ease", he left a 19m skid mark before the point of impact. Under testing after the accident it was found to have a top speed on 108km/h (almost 70mph) 
Yes Electric motorbikes are on their way, but these will be registered, and tested by roads authorities to ensure they are street legal, will require EU control/MOT check (country dependant), a drivers licence, insurance (not just home insurance cover). They will also have muchbetter brakes, and be illegal on shared use foot and cycle ways.

StuInNorway wrote:

ridein wrote:

Why any big concern with "e-bike rider whizzing past" ? Granted the first time is a bit of a shocker. There will be quiet electric motorcycles doing at least 3X=5X a bicyclist speed in the very near future.

How about the fact that these current "modified" devices are inherintly dangerous, and also illegal.  An E-bike is legally restricted to 250W, and a max assisted speed of 25km/h across the EU area. The brakes on these monsters are no better than normal bike brakes, yet they weigh a lot more, and where they have been tested are unfit for purposse.
Many of these "can" be made street legal, in Norway at least you can register them, get a number plate, pay insurance, and use a motorcycle helmet - then keep out the bike lanes.
As an example of the issue, a rider in Tronheim is looking at (equivalent to) £7,500 in compenasation to a cyclist he hit, plus 6 month loss of his driving licence, and several weeks in jail after he crashed his modified "e-bike" with a 5600W motor into another cyclist and broke her neck. Drivers on the road alongside report that as they were doing 60-70 km/h he was "sailing past with ease", he left a 19m skid mark before the point of impact. Under testing after the accident it was found to have a top speed on 108km/h (almost 70mph) 
Yes Electric motorbikes are on their way, but these will be registered, and tested by roads authorities to ensure they are street legal, will require EU control/MOT check (country dependant), a drivers licence, insurance (not just home insurance cover). They will also have muchbetter brakes, and be illegal on shared use foot and cycle ways.

Yep, any electric bike that fast should be registered as a motor scooter. That means the rider needs to have a licence, a motorcycle helmet and insurance. I agree that the weight and speed of the thing means that the brakes won't be up to the job when it's at full tilt and as it's quiet, pedestrians (and drivers) won't be looking out for it either.

I see that the cops in Sweden stopped a guy on an electric bike after he hit close to 100km/h. A quick check showed it was more powerful than allowed and further tests revealed its motor was 16 times the limit for electric bikes. Ths tory I read was a bit vague but I think he converted it himself with a kit he bought. The Swedes don't look kindly on traffic offences and he's being hit with a big fine.

As for fast descents, well top TdF riders can hit 120km/h for sure. But that's on stretches of roads where it's expected. Hitting those speeds on a bike with inadequate brakes in normal traffic conditions is like playing Russian Roulette.