So I ride a “multi use path” on my way to work for a few miles. It is completely closed to motor vehicles and has signs at the entrances stating that and says its a $450 fine.
I have been seeing a guy on what I thought was a motorcycle in the mornings and I would try to stop him to chat about how I thought he should not be riding on the path. I was being friendly, but he would always just zip by at about 20 mph. Today I met him at a road crossing so he had to talk with me. He was very nice BUT he is riding one of these:
He feels, and seems to have the law on his side, that its a bike, not a scooter. He seems to be right. But really? He isnt pedaling it at all. Just cruising on his “electric assist bicycle”. Its not even close to what I think of an electric assist bike.
I want to know what you all feel about this. My wife thinks I am being a jerk. She may be right on this one.
I don’t think he is on a bicycle. I think he is on an electric scooter with pedals. He seems to be following the law. I ride about the same speed as he does so why do I feel like he should not be there. I guess I feel that most of the world I am the smallest slowest thing on the road. This is my place to be big and fast, but he now has taken that advantage. I guess i am just being selfish. I am actually someone who wants people to get out of their cars. And I love that the guy is doing this as opposed to driving a car, but it should be on the streets. Not a MUP. Hmm
Thoughts? Is this really a bike? Should he be there?
The rational side of me says that a path is the safest most reasonable place for this, as opposed to a road where it would be a danger due to its slow speed and large size. But the other side of me thinks he is getting by on a mere technicality and wishes it wasnt allowable. I like the idea of paths being a place only for those powering their own way. I know on most of the paths around where I live (Northern VA) there are signs posted forbidding vehicles of any type with a motor.
Jackmott, I have said this before. You are my hero and will always remain my man crush.
Yeah, I was complaining about him flying down the path too fast. My wife just said “Honey, How fast do you ride. Don’t you go faster than he does?” (sometimes logical arguments piss me off).
Meh, not that I should care, but, it rubs me the wrong way. It is a frick’en motor vehicle:
A motor vehicle is a vehicle whose propulsion is provided by an engine (or “motor”) or other mechanically propelled system which is carried on the vehicle. The internal combustion engine is the most common motor choice, although electric motors or other types are sometimes used. Motor vehicles or road vehicles typically run on public roads. The rules of the road are laws or practices which all road users must obey; many relate specifically to motor vehicles or subtypes of them. Some common types of motor vehicle: an automobile (usually known as a car in Britain, from a legal term motorised carriage) a truck (commonly called a lorry in Britain, - until about 1911 a railway term from load bearer) a bus a motorcycle a motorized bicycle
However, some states carve an exception for “motor assisted cycles,” so, he may get a pass on a technicality. Still rubs me the wrong way …
The thing weighs 200 lbs, so even if it does have pedals (I can’t see them) I don’t know how much help they would provide. I think you are in the right for questioning him. Next time you see him ask him to “pedal” it for a couple miles to see if it is even possible.
Yeah I wonder how fast I could make it move under just pedal power. Next thing we will see are clippless pedals being offered as an upgrade and zeroG brakes too.
So. . . If I he did not use the engine. Could he enter in a local tri with it as his “bike”.
I thought those might be the pedals, but how can pedals that are 2 ft apart work? I would think that a recumbent type drive train might work better for something like that.