Sometimes I go on r/ebikes and get stuck into various #ebike culture wars... Strange as it is to get good ideas on bicycling from the USA, the class system for ebikes makes a lot of sense. Not the specific classes they've chosen (IMO) but understanding that ebikes can have very different characteristics to serve different needs, and they should have different requirements and privileges.
Think we need some technical innovation in controls... (cont)
for example, acceleration limits (with reference to the ground), not power limits. The same power output that can get me up a long steep hill at a moderate speed (like 20km/hr) without sweating, gives acceleration from 0 on the flat that is dangerous in shared spaces with pedestrians. Torque sensing helps with the latter situation but not so much the former (I think, haven't ridden them much).
I change power settings while riding to get the balance I want, but new riders often don't.
Not sure where I'm going with this, just wandering. Maybe a flourishing and diverse micromobility sector actually needs less emphasis on regulating vehicles and more on behaviour, as for cars. Nothing about your vehicle stops you from driving 150km/hr through a pedestrian crossing. Only legal enforcement and social norms, which are currently lagging behind in cities without a cycling history.
@jroper and I’d prefer to see these kinds of performance limits imposed on cars, rather than going the other way and losening the constraints on emobility vehicles.
@milesmcbain Yes agree for both.
Btw, I was wondering what jurisdiction you ride in, and it took a while to work out you're in Australia. Is that intentional?
@jroper No sorry not intentional, that’s a good point, I should probably add something reflecting location to profile. Im in Brisbane!
@milesmcbain Ah cool. I always kinda assumed you were German, not sure why... something about the photo and lots of good data scientists there
@jroper a hearty lol was had here at that 😂
@jroper I think you’re right. I regularly have 2 kids plus their bags on the e-bike for the school / kindy run and 250W can feel a little under powered on steep inclines. It makes them manageable, but not effortless, which means the setup won’t be an attractive car replacement for many.
The suggestion of more power with controls that mean it can only be dolled out to maintain the same effectivene performance under reasonable loads is a good compromise.