Be Careful on that E-Bike
According to the Guardian the Dutch authorities are becoming concerned about the number of reported deaths involving older people using electric bikes. Of the 189 cycling deaths in the Netherlands last year 28 of them involved people on electric bikes. The concern seems to be that older people, over 60, are turning to electric bikes so they can keep cycling but might have difficulties controlling them when they get into a difficult situation. I suppose the good news is that given the number of active cyclists in the Netherlands the number of accidents are fortunately quite low. According to Beyond the Kerb there were 125 deaths of cyclists in the UK in 2016. This figure did include all types of cycles but they did not say how many, if any involved electric bikes.
David
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Geez, don't give the UK Govt an excuse to slap ecycling with a raft of new laws & extra taxes
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I think the point of posting was more directed at those using e-bikes and to highlight the possible dangers for older people who are likely to be the ones changing using e-bikes. Last year Margaret had a bit of an incident with her e-bike so a bit close to home! Whilst e-bikes are a wonderful invention I think people need to treat them with respect.
David
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We all pay IPT on every insurance premium, that's tax
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I believe that many in Europe, who like the Dutch are "born riding a bicycle" are concerned about the dangers posed by electric bikes to the rider and others. The particular concern is about the type of ebike which have their motors in either the front or rear hub. These can be used as unlicensed electric vehicles requiring no pedaling at all by the rider, simply the push of a button with a thumb. They do not encourage the user to adopt and practise cycling skills.
The other type of ebikes have the motor in the bottom bracket with the chainset attached to it. The rider must pedal to get electrical help, as the assistance only cuts in when the rider does work. You can choose the level of help but you still ride it like a "proper" bike.
I believe that some countries are considering or have already band the former type because of the extra dangers they pose. I have ridden both types and own the latter and consider the hub motor type much more dangerous.
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All e bikes sold nowadays in the uk should not have a separate throttle and must only work when the rider is pedalling. They should also not have a motor greater than 250w
I have a throttle on one of mine but I wouldn't say it was more dangerous than the one without or a normal bike. The most dangerous part of any bike is the rider
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You are nearly correct, there are two types of e-bikes, but where the motor is, doesn't really define them. There is throttle controlled and what is known as pedal-assist. With the former, you just open the throttle and away you go, with pedal-assist, you must pedal the bicycle or the motor will not run. Pedal-assist bicycles are the only legal type you can use in the UK, provided the motor is 500W or less.
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We have the twist throttle type of ebike, it has a rear hub motor. The bike is 4 years old so was made before the change in law. These are our second twist throttle bikes over a 12 year period so have some experience of them. We have a choice of 3 speeds and 7 gears, we use them as pedal assist and tend only to use the throttle if we have to push the bikes up an incline while walking with them.
The front wheel hub motor type I have been informed,( by someone who previously owned one) was in his words dangerous. He felt that should you be on gravel or gritty surface and twisted the throttle it would kick up the front wheel. We have the rear hub type and have not found this to be a problem.
Recently I had a bit of a fall off my bike, entirely rider error (OH's fault really ) my front wheel brushed his bake wheel, I know I shouldn't have been so close. This could have happened on an ordinary bike, speed was not an issue.
As far as I'm aware the type we have are no longer sold in the UK but many are still in use.
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Yes, my mistake, it a maximum of 250W, but everything else was correct, it must be a pedal-assist cycle, if you can just open the throttle and it will move without pedalling, it is illegal. The law didn't change, it has always been like this.
More info, see here: https://www.gov.uk/electric-bike-rules
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Yes, very dangerous.
Our neighbour is a retired gent who lives on his own. He has a newish camper van, and is off most weekends with his brother in law and his nephew.
He purchased a new electric tricycle, which after using it for the weekend whilst on charge, caught fire and destroyed the contents of his shed ( containing all of his camping gear).
So through his insurance, replaced shed, camping gear and another electric tricycle of a different brand.
He told me that this new tricycle was a far better make, and zoomed off on his first test ride.
Came home, put it in new shed, put it on charge.
After 3 hours, it promptly caught fire and destroyed everything that had been replaced !!!!
He is now using a second hand mobility scooter!
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Hope Santa brings him a proper charger!
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I take offence at your post. "Older people, over 60".
I am 67 and still ride a motorcycle, and have been since I was 16, that's 51 years in the saddle.
My current mount is a Yamaha XSR900, soon to be changed for a new Triumph Bonnie 1200, both have a bit more power than 250 watts.
Dont be ageist!,
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Don't shoot the messenger
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Goodness, a voice from the past.
You're very sensitive, Ivor. I'm 68 and I'm old in body if not in mind.
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It as apt to note the story in the news today of a chap who saw off an armed burglar and chased him down the road. He is 84.
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