My Class II pedal assist makes the bike feel like it is going to jump out from under me. On settimg 1, 2 or 3 it will jump when I push on either pedal when I push down from the upright position.
Let me get this straight... I have a choice of 60 hp kei truck or a 600hp f150 (and everything else on the market) but in the bicycle market I can only use certain power thresholds. In my flea bitten opinion speed limits should determine access. One can drive a Porsche in a school zone at 20mph same as a kei van. If someone has 4000 watts a little self control should share space provided a reasonable speed limit is shared by all.
The reality is that the police are unlikely to ever check the wattage of your e-bike, especially if you ride something that looks like a normal bike and ride it in a way that doesn't endanger other people. You can slap a 750W sticker on your 4000W motor, and most cops won't know the difference. However if you are riding a Sur Ron which isn't street legal and looks like a moped and popping wheelies while going over the speed limit in front of the cops to call attention to yourself, then you are asking for trouble. (See Sur Ronster's RU-vid channel for an example of how not to ride an e-bike.)
So let’s make cars that can only go the speed limit. Ebike wattage limits are flawed. People need to ride responsibly but we know that is never going to happen
Laws only matter when enforcable and actively enforced. People were always going to ride those bikes anywhere they'd ride a pedal bike. Doesn't take a RU-vidr to influence them, it's more the other way around if anything. If the bike looks pretty legal and you're riding normally there's no way to tell if it is legal and may as well be. If you're riding recklessly like an ass you should be ticketed/fined same as in any type of vehicle.
Just about every class 2 ebike can be unlocked to go faster than 20 by peddling. Essentially combining 2 and 3. Technically illegal, but technically that it is.
So do the classifications change by state? I know most states have the 3 tier system, but do the definitions vary? For example do some states define class 3 at 20mph while some do 25mph?
In an effort to not share a comment that is dated sometime in the future, we would highly suggest going to www.peopleforbikes.org/ for the most current information. That being said, the Class 3 is 28 mph in the US (pedal only), Class 2 is throttle assist up to 20mph, Class 1 is pedal only up to 20mph. Some bikes may be labeled Class 2 (due to the throttle), but when pedalling you can exceed that up to 28mph. This can be confusing, but they will likely have a sticker as how they are classified.
New York City just banned the sale of ebikes that are not UL certified. Awkward for Rad Power Bikes that opened a store there. Also, the new ebike tax credit bill in congress will only apply to UL certified bikes.
European and Asian certified Batteries are CE . The certificate Is recognized in over a hundred Countries. New York City should recognize this certificate.
Trying to get clear answers/understanding of classes and laws and higher power bikes is a nightmare. I want to know if a dual motor setup with 2 motors rated 750w nominal--since you can run 1 motor, since you dont exceed "a motor of 750w or less"-- legally a class 2 on 1 motor? Street legal as such?
As far as we understand. 1 motor, 2 motors. 250w or 750w. shouldn't matter. The Classes are speed related and throttle related. Class 1/2 Up to 20mph, Class 3 Up to 38mph. If it has a throttle it can only be Class 2 legally, if it exceeds 20mph with a throttle it does not land under the 3 Classes.
I have been on bike rail trails and had 🤡's fly by (really close) going 30 plus mph. No intention on slowing down when approaching people walking. Someone could be killed going that fast with those heavy bikes. I saw another 🤡 riding a dirt bike on the trail.
It's like everything, a few jerks can ruin it for everybody. But remember, it's not the bike, it's the idiot Rider. Because there are many athletic bike riders who can ride faster than 30 mph using muscle alone, and they should be ticketed as well. Seems to me in this age of technology, there should be a simple scan app on your phone, that starts whenever you enter one of these trails. If you go past say 20 mph on one of these trails, you should immediately be billed. I think this would be easy to do.
I subscribed and liked this video because you gave clear explanation on this topic while others are making it even difficult to understand . Thank you 🎉
Thanks for clearing this up. I’m going to share the information with some folks who have asked. Mostly for there kids as they are asking for class 3s of course. Hey if I where a kid I would try for the fastest possible E Bike of course…
very nice video, easy to understand. may I ask if your ebike is rated at 28mph then after purchase you change the setting to max out at 20mph, doesthan mean it is now legal class 2? thwnk you!
I'm not sure we have an exact answer for that. We'd be happy to reach out to peopleforbikes.org and ask. They are the leading resource for information like that.
Most police won't bother you as long as you are not riding in traffic like an idiot like many of these young riders do. Just obey the rules of the road.
Why are almost all Class 2 bikes sold are advertised that they can be unlocked to a Class 3 status when in reality they can’t be Class 3 while having a throttle? I also don’t understand the difference between a class 2 and 1 and why the throttle makes a difference. Since both can provide assistance to 20mph, why does it matter how that speed is achieved, throttle or pedal?
Class 1 & 3 refer to speeds for Pedal Assist support. Class 2 is just a throttle classification. Class ratings are set for safety and local laws. Class 1 = 20mph Pedal Assist Class 3 = 28mph Pedal Assist Class 2 = Has a throttle
@@ElectricBikeJournal I'm familiar with the different classes. But in reading about Class 3 bikes, it reads as though they don't have throttles. Class 2 bikes have throttles but many can be unlocked to be Class 3. But if you unlock them they still have a throttle which suggests they would qualify to be a Class 3.
@@ElectricBikeJournalI have same question. There are many e-bike manufacturers that are claiming their products are class 3, even though they have a throttle. Many of those bikes can be operated as a class 3 (up to 28 mph with pedal assist), but they have a throttle going up to 20 or more, unassisted. Some even provide an extra sticker you can apply to the bike, so it can be identified as a class 3 (covering up the class 2 sticker). These companies are selling thousands of e-bikes in the US, and adding much confusion, although it’s easy to spot a thumb throttle when there is one (except for the twist grip kind). This will probably be a nightmare for those enforcing bike laws, just like the mess we have with some automobile laws.
@@Scomelbasses And how about buy a class 3 set controller led at no throttle and 15 mph you have a class 1 . Off the class 1 path to the street set to class 2 or 3 . If you feel guilty unplug the throttle and put in your rack pack .
dont break the law,are you kidding me its happening everyday in the uk and the law and government dont give a toss about it.i dont know why thay get payed its a disgrace.
It wouldn’t be fair to say one is the best because there are so many different riding styles and purposes for bikes. Thankfully. We did just share our picks for what bikes we liked the most for 2023. Check out the website!
I see the same thing and it's frustrating, but at least the good news is they are not generally putting cars at risk. Thousands of bike riders are hurt every year by cars, but almost never does a bike hurt a car driver. For this reason, I do believe cars s should be more careful, and the impetus of responsibility must be on them. (And at the same time bicyclists who break the law should be ticketed).
From what we understand, in the US, an electric bike that exceeds 28mph of Pedal Assist is "unclassified" and the operator would be subject to a traffic ticket and fine. We have gathered that they although "unclassified" fall under the restrictions of a moped or scooter, mean they would need to be registered and insured, as well as having to abide by the same road laws. Essentially, it would be treated no differently then an electric pit bike or motorcycle like a Surron or Talaria. Ask your local PD and let us know, we'd be really curious to hear more.
When not required to register and license a eBike the class really done matter . The adjustments easy within a few seconds someone has class 1,2,3 or basic pedal removing the battery .Speed max setting along with adjusting throttle setting to not working or unplugging the connection .
I mainly want 1 or 3, although throttle could be nice for starting on hills and taking pressure off when your tired and such, mainly looking for bike for roads paths and cush for excersise and fu with friends
Not worth it anyway. Maintaining it is to costly, replacing parts and battery. Not to mention catching on fire. E-bikes are also very limited in service areas. Buy one locally that services them and can source the parts and hope that place doesn’t go out of business. This will limit your choice to one maybe two brands. And then the headache of where you can ride it.
Why are people in such a hurry??? 40 km/h is plenty fast enough... Sadly electric unicycles are so powerful enough they can now do 80 km/h...yes they do have bigger than 750 watts but they need that just to keep you upright and avoid motor cutoff.... You do not want that going top speed!!! That said euc should be classified as class 3 ebike!!! And electrically speed restricted...
Some people would like to not get hit by cars or be able to accelerate easily out of the way of whatever they need to. It's fine for areas with designated bike areas but not sharing the road.
