Investigating a teen’s death on an ebike and the Rad brand’s safety

Re:Investigating a teen’s death on an ebike and the Rad bran... by karaterobot on Friday September 29, 2023 @06:50PM (#37711021)

One of my least popular opinions, on the internet and in real life, is that you should have to be licensed to drive vehicles on the road. Including bikes. Not saying it's the same requirements to drive a car as it is to ride a bike, but just pretending you don't need to learn anything to ride a vehicle in traffic—especially a motorized one like an ebike—doesn't make sense to me. FWIW, I'm an avid bike rider, I just think it's hypocritical at best and dangerous at worst to say (as my jurisdiction does) that bikes are vehicles with all the rights and responsibilities of a car... but hey, you don't actually have to know what those rights and responsibilities are to drive one... or even prove you know how to operate the vehicle... just hop on and get goin'!

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Investigating a teen’s death on an ebike and the Rad bran... by sschueller on Friday September 29, 2023 @07:13PM (#37711208)

I'm Switzerland there are different categories of ebikes. Bikes under 20km/h (25km/h pedal assisted) 500w max do not require anything other than you must be over 14.

Ebikes that go faster (30 km/h or 45km/h pedal assisted max) 1000w max require a min. age of 16 and a special M license or vehicle license. Additionally you are required to get a plate for the Ebike and you must wear a helmet.

All ebikes require day time running lights and fast ebikes will also require a tachometer in 2024.

We do have issues with a new type of rollers that have replaced the old mopets. Those you can drive without any licenses or helmet if you are older than 16. This will probably change however even though they don't go over 20km/h they can still be dangerous.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Investigating a teen’s death on an ebike and the Rad bran... by mulmen on Friday September 29, 2023 @07:28PM (#37711310)

> fast ebikes will also require a tachometer in 2024.

Do you mean speedometer? I don’t see how motor speed is relevant to safety.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Investigating a teen’s death on an ebike and the Rad bran... by changoplatanero on Friday September 29, 2023 @07:07PM (#37711164)

I guess the difference is that a bicyclist is unlikely to kill anyone from their bad driving

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Investigating a teen’s death on an ebike and the Rad bran... by RankingMember on Friday September 29, 2023 @07:14PM (#37711214)

That is exactly the key difference.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Investigating a teen’s death on an ebike and the Rad bran... by Tao3300 on Friday September 29, 2023 @08:47PM (#37711833)

I have an even less popular opinion that license exams should involve a simulator portion where 5-10% of the time, an unavoidable freak accident occurs and you fail.

In my head, people would calmly walk away from this, and it would serve as a stark reminder of how dangerous this all is, help reduce congestion by reducing licensed drivers, and encourage carpooling and expanded public transit. In reality, an angry mob would probably tar and feather me for trying to enact such a ridiculous idea.

[ Parent | on HN ]