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A Challenge to Our Riding Community: The E‑Bike Kids Are Coming Up — What Are We Going To Do About It?

Without getting political you'd think by now Newsom's cadre would have identified the licensing of E bikes to grab more cash. The folks buying these things are higher income types so there wouldn't be any social backlash.
Wut? Is that like only higher income folks buy $1500 i-phones? Vehicles incur reg fees because they cause road wear and tear. Bikes really don't do that. A good reason to register e-motos for public road would be licensing and liability. Use existing MSF architecture (see earlier posts about programs) and help offset those programs with collected fees. It's not "grabbing cash" to cycle fees back into the sport, just like hunting license fees support conservation of waterfowl. "No offense but" yes you are getting political.
 
Schools around here are cracking down on them, banning Class 2 bikes (like the Super 73) from being parked on campus. If found on school property they will be confiscated. So that’s a good start. And they’re talking about holding the parents liable for injuries caused by their kid. Plus the police are now educated and on the lookout for kids riding these things illegally - no helmet, two-up, on sidewalks, violating basic traffic laws. So progress is being made.
 
Wut? Is that like only higher income folks buy $1500 i-phones? Vehicles incur reg fees because they cause road wear and tear. Bikes really don't do that. A good reason to register e-motos for public road would be licensing and liability. Use existing MSF architecture (see earlier posts about programs) and help offset those programs with collected fees. It's not "grabbing cash" to cycle fees back into the sport, just like hunting license fees support conservation of waterfowl. "No offense but" yes you are getting political.
This Is reasonable. I agree
 
Have you ever spoke to a hooligan teenager? :laughing
The kids that would listen, already know better.
You’re right on this one…..
I must be kidding myself.

I am giving up on this thread the solution is not going to happen.

If I recommend an E bike kid to join our forum, I hope that’s acceptable. Maybe they can learn on their own……

PaulR
 
I spoke to a small group of these hooligans and they were trying to teach me how to wheelie. :facepalm

It appears to me these damn kids are coming from out of the city too! :afm199

 
You’re right on this one…..
I must be kidding myself.
It's an admirable idea, but probably only feasible with kids you come in contact with anyway.
I see a groups of kids going crazy in the safeway parking lot often. I've seen walnut creek PD just roll by as they're all doing wheelies across the lot. It doesn't bother me, but it seems like it should at least get blip of the siren or a warning over the loud speaker. That might at least get their attention.
 
Why the fear of anything remotely political? It’s part of life. And in this thread, I don’t see anything that is political.
 
That was a fun watch! Light traffic, seeming concern for the battery levels (I'm at 70), no mobbing cars, people stood back. Aside from the 1000+ moving violations, they weren't terrible. "We're gonna park down" instead of up on the literal seating area lol. Looked like a herd of beasts gathered around a watering hole at the park.
 
That was a fun watch! Light traffic, seeming concern for the battery levels (I'm at 70), no mobbing cars, people stood back. Aside from the 1000+ moving violations, they weren't terrible. "We're gonna park down" instead of up on the literal seating area lol. Looked like a herd of beasts gathered around a watering hole at the park.
lol I haven't watched it the whole video but I noticed they passed by where I walk or exercise. well, they did go everywhere.

but damn it, putting a motorbike on bart?!? :twofinger

Legal? I dunno, but they sure drove through a pedestrian walkway of a burger place

1785817534249.png

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as for the opposite side, here is a video where CHP or local (Socal?) Police is chasing a "kid" on a Sur-ron bike : (They caught him)

 
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The Real Advantages of E‑Bikes

Cheap speed

You get motorcycle‑adjacent acceleration without motorcycle‑adjacent bills. Twist the throttle, feel the torque.

Super73 mod potential

A Super73 can be modded until it’s basically a small motorcycle with a USB port.
Bigger controller, bigger motor, bigger grin.
You can keep up with most small bikes and still say, “It’s just a bicycle, officer.”

No registration

California wants $160+ a year to put a sticker on your motorcycle.
Your E‑bike?
Zero.
DMV can’t charge you for something they don’t understand.

No gas

Ride past gas stations like you’re above society.
Plug in at home like a smug wizard.

No insurance

No premiums.
No agents.
No explaining why your “bicycle” has a 3,000‑watt motor.

Pedal camouflage

Pedals = plausible deniability.
You can do the fake pedaling dance whenever cops, Karens, or serious cyclists appear.

If you can’t beat ’em, join em’

PaulR
 
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