California’s ambitious statewide electric bicycle incentive program is officially dead – and it didn’t even get a funeral. After years...

cross-posted from: https://fedia.io/m/[email protected]/t/2946252

California’s ambitious statewide electric bicycle incentive program is officially dead – and it didn’t even get a funeral. After years…

  • RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.worldEnglish
    418·
    3 days ago

    Good.

    E-bikes are too fast, heavy, ridden by idiots in close proximity to pedestrians, and are just as bad as E-scooters at disregarding traffic rules. Riders are way under-equipped to handle a crash at E-bike speeds. These riders are always on pedestrian rights of way even where there are plenty of signs stating electric scooters and bikes are not allowed.

    I’m all for alternative transportation that reduces cars on the road, but fuck these things.

    • StitchInTime@piefed.socialEnglish
      172·
      3 days ago

      I’m assuming you don’t live in a hilly area. As someone who rides for recreation around areas with steeper inclines, my ebike has been a gateway to outdoor activity I would have otherwise avoided. Now I’m not zooming on trails inconsiderately, and that is a problem, but from a technology standpoint they’re kind of the best of both worlds when used responsibly.

      • RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.worldEnglish
        26·
        3 days ago

        You’re basically saying that because you say you behave right e-bikes are fine. I’m sure there are responsible car owners that have exactly the same excuse.

        • StitchInTime@piefed.socialEnglish
          81·
          3 days ago

          It sounds like we’ve had drastically different experiences.

          I’m saying they are better than fine, and a great technology for mobility as an alternative to cars for single riders, and if paired with other methods of transport (busses, light rail) they’re a fantastic last mile solution.

          I’ve personally nearly been run over by bike riders going way too fast on the streets of Amsterdam, I doubt the extra 20lbs of a battery would have made a difference in the danger there. Lack of education, personal responsibility, and enforcement doesn’t equate to a wonderful technology being discouraged for those who would most be positively impacted, and I personally think they’re a fantastic way to encourage a decline in the number of cars in the road in urban environments.

          Your points aren’t invalid, and I agree a self centered asshole zooming around at 25mph is an issue in a crowded sidewalk, but I think that speaks more of our current post-covid society of selfishness than the technology itself.

      • Breezy@lemmy.worldEnglish
        16·
        3 days ago

        Responsibility is the issue. How many asshats ride around where they shouldn’t be sullieing the use of them for everyone

        • StitchInTime@piefed.socialEnglish
          3·
          3 days ago

          I don’t disagree with you, but that’s the same for almost anything if consideration for others is thrown out the window.