Ciarán Ferrie
We have a problem with the catch-all nature of the term "e-bike" which includes both of these things.
They are, of course, entirely different machines - one a battery-powered scrambler motorbike capable of speeds up to 75km/h and the other a traditional step through bicycle which is powered primarily by pedalling, with a battery to assist on hills and against strong winds. The battery only operates when you are pedalling and cuts out at 25km/h.
Annika Backstrom
@ccferrie It would be so easy to call them e-mopeds, the legal term used by the RSA https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-transport/campaigns/e-bikes-e-mopeds-and-e-scooters/
Ciarán Ferrie
The reason this is problematic is because of headlines like this.
It creates an impression that all e-bikes are dangerous and undermines efforts to increase active travel use.
We don't generally distinguish between EVs and petrol/diesel powered cars in road collision reports. Why do we do so with bikes/motorbikes?
A more honest, informative, and less reactionary headline here would be "Arrest as young girl injured after being struck by motorbike/scrambler"
Annika Backstrom
@ccferrie I think importantly, the battery-assisted bicycles cap out at 25 kmh, very similar to the speed of many non-electric bikes. Similar weight, similar speed, requires pedalling. No need to demonize them
Ciarán Ferrie
Let's just retire the term e-bike - there are motorbikes and there are bicycles.
Some of the motorbikes are battery-powered but that doesn't make them any less of a motorbike.
Some of the bicycles have battery-assisted power but that doesn't make them any less of a bicycle.
The term e-bike is redundant.
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