Push-electic-bikes

[Black Knight]

I've seen a hell of a lot of these recently. I think they are called Sacuras or something simalar? AFAIK they are electic powered pushbikes?

Im seeing about 5 or 6 a day bobbing in and out of traffic usually guided by scantily clad middle aged women!

Is it just me or are these things damn dangerous? They seem to be able to go a fair old speed and most on this forum will know you dont need to be going fast to suffer some nasty injurys.

No gloves, no helmets, just a whirring between their legs and a big smile on their face! Should this be legal!

[extreme3d]

If you ban them from the roads .... no more scantily clad women

[ArabianKnight]

[thx1138]

Well, as I understand it the electric bicycles can do no more than 15mph without pedal assitance.

[Yoshi]

You can ride them at 14 as well. There are some that look like mountain bikes with electric motors, and some that look like scooters. I think they are just stupid, get a good racing or mountain bike and just cycle!

Matt
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Present: GS650 Katana - Getting ready for summer touring!
Past: TS50, RS50, ZXR400, LT80, TS250

[thx1138]

Speaking as a postman, I'd kinda like one to do my job with.

There's only one chuffing hill in this town, and that's where my round is.

[Black Knight]

Is it just me that think they're bloody dangerous!

[Nath]

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

They are treated as pushbikes and do an okay job. I'd personally stick to normal pushbikes as I can hold that speed anyway. And taking that up a hill would be tiring to say the least.

Concerning helmets, there are no laws regarding the use of cycle helmets though obviously they are highly advised. They are however only tested upto 12mph so if involved in an accident with a glancing blow they will be very effective, anything more direct towards the head and it will be relatively inneficient.

I do not use one at the moment but am pondering whether to purchase one. Dont fancy scraping my head along a kerbstone at 20mph.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[Rookie]

They are for people who can't be arsed to cycle properly all the time. And they won't get you up a hill by any means, but they'll give you a bit of a push, I suppose.

[cyprinis]

Has anyone actually ridden a pushbike since they passed their test?

I did a few months ago in jeans and a t-shirt, and christ i felt vulnerable!

Freewheeling down ketts hill in norwich was bloody scary!

wouldn't catch me on one of those!

[thx1138]

[Aikman666]

My dad had one of these Electric push bikes to get around on when he had lost his license. Theyre easy enough to drive, and are front wheel drives, most can pull up to 10mph without you pedal assisting. Basicly if you could crash one, you'd be an idiot, and if you did, it wouldent hurt that much. The only thing i'd say is the things weigh a ton and the brakes are absoulute shit, so your not stopping in a hurry. I took it on a 2 mile journey once (one which ive also sneakily taken my bike on) and i tell ya, it was easier on the pushbike! But my dad was happy to see it go and would happilly ride his Virago over it any day...So would i . But theyre handy for people with no license/banned drivers/cant afford tax/mot/unsurance/running costs!
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My Design Blog

[thx1138]

From what I have seen of electric bicycles they vary enormously in style and build quality, and price.

A mountain bike style one, that at first glance doesn't look anything out of the ordinary, is around £1k in town.

On the net, one built to look like a moped, and I am speculating inferior build quality, I've not physically seen one, is about £300


There was a time when I was tempted to buy one, but now if I had the cash I'd spend it on motorbikes. My bicycle I got tax free from some govenrment scheme or other, to encourage people to cycle to work, which I don't...