@fuck_cars Something I wish Australia would change is laws prohibiting any vehicles between a 200W ebike and a full motorcycle. I’d get a lot of value from a 60kmph limited 1kW ebike. But currently to sell such a thing it would have to comply with all motorcycle requirements, and things like ABS on both wheels is really not required for such a device.a
#AusPol #eBikes

      • @SomeoneSomewhereEnglish
        2•4 months ago

        Push bikes have a power limit because humans are pretty power limited, which results in speeds of not much more that 30-40km/h unless you find a really big hill.

        E-bikes are supposed to be both power and speed limited to about 400W and 30km/h IIRC.

          • @SomeoneSomewhereEnglish
            1•4 months ago

            Going from four classes (pushbike/e-bike, moped, LAMS motorcycle, full motorcycle) to five seems thoroughly excessive.

            Mopeds (electric or petrol) are cheap and relatively low-skill and low-risk due to the limited speeds. Write to your politicians asking them to allow them to be used on car licenses like other states and NZ allow.

            I also question whether you’re going to get any significant use out of a moped with a higher top speed but not much more power. The 4kW limit appears to be tailored to allow a moped to generally climb a moderate hill while in 50km/h traffic, rather than pull to the side and need a separate lane like pushbikes.

    • Russell
      1•4 months ago

      @SomeoneSomewhere @ajsadauskas I’ve got an electric moped. It’s speed limited to 50kmh and can be ridden on a car licence in WA. It has a battery range of 50km. Comprehensive insurance is under $150/year, registration is $130/year. Costs 1c/km electricity. Only maintenance is tyres, brake pads, and brake fluid flush. I bought it used for $2,500 three years ago. Only complaint is 50kmh limit. If it could do 60kmh would be safer. Doing 50kmh on a 4 lane 60kmh road is unsafe. Otherwise it’s great.