Don't you have different levels in the US? In Sweden and EU normal electric bikes can only assist up to 25 km/h (15,5 mph) but the next level can go up to 45 km/h (28 mph). They are still allowed in bike lanes but has a requirement on helmet and insurance.
Re:The Electric-Bike Conundrum
by codingdave on Friday August 18, 2017 @07:58PM
(#15050669)
IANAL, but I think once you get past the low-speed electric bicycle category, you are just treated as a motorcycle.
Re:The Electric-Bike Conundrum
by hocuspocus on Saturday August 19, 2017 @06:36AM
(#15052676)
In most European countries you aren't allowed in bike lanes with 45km/h ebikes.
Is that a recent law? I have a few friends, one of who used to work for an electric bike manufacturer, and they can get up to 35mph on their electric bikes. But that was from a few years ago.
Re:The Electric-Bike Conundrum
by codingdave on Friday August 18, 2017 @07:57PM
(#15050660)
Not very recent, no. But it is an easy hack to bypass the limits... just tell your controller you have a different wheel size. So it could very well be that your friends are simply speeding.
They cannot. At least, not with electric assist. The motors are programmed to power you up to 20MPH only, by federal law, but many limit it to 18MPH, to be on the safe side. If anyone is going faster than that, they are doing it by their own power, not with the motor.