this post was submitted on 20 Feb 2026
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Say NO to Mandatory E-Bike License Plates and Registrations [California] (bikeeastbay.org)
submitted 1 day ago by grue@lemmy.world to c/fuckcars@lemmy.world
48 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/34367979

More barriers to cycling means more cars which means more dead cyclists. Help us defeat this terrible anti-safety bill.

all 49 comments
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[–] EponymousBosh@awful.systems 5 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Lotta people here who apparently aren't familiar with e-bikes, talking about how e-bikes perform. My RadRunner 2 has only ever hit 27 mph (43 kph?) going downhill on a steep incline, meanwhile I'm getting passed by dudes on $5000 fancy-ass racing bicycles. Not really sure why I'm the one who needs the license.

(Also: I wish e-bikes were the biggest problem on bike paths here in Kentucky. I have encountered Actual Legit Gasoline-Powered Fucking Motorcycles many, many, MANY times on the Louisville Loop.)

[–] zaphod@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 hours ago

There are different types of e-bikes, people throw them all in the same category and then complain about it. They just mean one specific type (throttle, no pedalling required, goes faster than what normal people can achieve while pedalling), but they confuse those with all other types of e-bikes.

[–] Fredselfish@lemmy.world 8 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

I disagree motherfucker should have plates. Got assholes here in my town riding these things doing 40 mph in neighborhood. All of them all guys who lose their license due to DUI. They still drink and drive and just as dangerous. Also got one whose bike is gas powered.

[–] aka@slrpnk.net 15 points 15 hours ago

In most US states, including California where this is being considered, if it goes 40mph it's not even classified as a e-bike and already requires registration/plates.

[–] tranquillow@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 13 hours ago

I have a license to operate a scooter from where I live, and I really believe that past a certain point - like ⅓HP and 15MPH of European standards, know-how of the roads is a must Having said that the problem is registering an E-Bike can add too much cost to the bike itself. Motors and control systems can be imported from China for pennies now compared to the registry. And I can see first hand that bigger e-bikes are non-existent in the market as an aspiring commuter wouldn't know how crap ⅓HP motors can get on hilly roads, so they buy those unintentionally.

[–] chicken@lemmy.dbzer0.com 15 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

There's also the privacy angle. There should be legal ways to get around without being tracked by license plate readers.

[–] grue@lemmy.world 8 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Berm Peak had a persuasive video about how fucked up the situation with ebike registration is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_M3gMfK5B4

[–] aka@slrpnk.net 3 points 15 hours ago

I love Seth's videos! At the end of the video Seth mentions that perhaps Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes are a bit excessive when compared to European bicycle laws, and that we should maybe reconsider what an e-bike should be classified as to reduce confusion. According to the link you posted, this regulation wouldn't touch Class 1 and only regulates Class 2 and Class 3. So, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this bill.

[–] DScratch@sh.itjust.works 31 points 1 day ago (4 children)

I dunno man.

A small vehicle, that can rip along streets at similar speeds to mopeds and motor bikes?

I’m very in favour of wider adoption. But carte blanche for any kid or fuckhead to lobotomise themselves or others needs a second look.

[–] whosepoopisonmybuttocks@sh.itjust.works 6 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago) (3 children)

At least you started your comment by making it clear that you don't know.

There are already clearly defined laws and definitions for ebike classes, which are distinct from mopeds and motorcycles.

Its not carte blanche or wild west or any other silly idiom.

The problem isn't ebikes. The problem is unlicensed electric motorcycles.

Ebikes are a good thing. They blow cars out of the water with how much much more environmentally friendly and cost effective they are. Requiring license plates and possibly insurance is a huge disincentive. Also pointed out by another user in this thread is that it enables the tracking of your location by all of these horrible flock cameras.

If kids are ripping along the streets on illegal electric motorcycles, what we need is law enforcement, not new laws targeted at those who already are following the existing law.

[–] DScratch@sh.itjust.works 6 points 17 hours ago (2 children)

I agree with the spirit of your post. Entirely.

Yes, enforcement is certainly an issue.

However, here in Ontario any moped that has pedals is an e-bike, legally speaking. I’ve seen one with the most limp-twisted effort to qualify as a bike and be therefore street legal. But it still has all the qualities that cause me concern.

What we need is better classifications. A small standing e-scooter that can’t break 15kph shouldn’t be treated the same as a moped with pedals that can get 60kph.

[–] pc486@sh.itjust.works 1 points 11 hours ago

For content, here in California we do have ebike classifications that are a little more detailed than pedals means bicycle. There are three classes, and the fastest (class 3) are not legal for middle school ages. We even have a law on the books that makes it illegal to sell ebikes that can be software/app changes into a different class.

This really is a push to outlaw all ebikes, especially since the resp is from Orinda. They hate bikes there, even regular push bikes.

[–] socsa@piefed.social 0 points 11 hours ago

The unfortunate reality is that there is no world where towns and cities are going to spend money enforcing bike laws with dedicated law enforcement. They are just going to ban or heavily regulate ebikes, and this was the incredibly obvious outcome once the fat bike motorcycles became the dominant form factor.

[–] Clent@lemmy.dbzer0.com -4 points 17 hours ago (2 children)

what we need is law enforcement

Cool. You want the cops to start executing children on the streets for not obeying commands.

[–] leftzero@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago)

If they're driving a bike or any other type of vehicle including roller skates (exceptions can be made for non motorised wheelchairs with a medical certificate) on the sidewalk I very damn well do, yes.

Well, without the command thing. Or the shooting.

Just take them away quietly and dispose of them and their accursed wheeled contraption in as painful a way as possible somewhere where it won't bother civilised people, and fine and shame their parents or closest relatives.

[–] whosepoopisonmybuttocks@sh.itjust.works 1 points 16 hours ago

Don't we all? /s

In seriousness, what you're pointing out is a problem but we're talking about two different things.

My main point is that we don't need a new law.

I believe you're saying that our police are horrible and that enforcing the existing law may end up brutalizing the population.

I think we agree.

[–] freehand8776@lemmy.world -1 points 8 hours ago

Yeah. I have to agree. The amount of e-bikes that decide what rules to follow at the drop of a hat is way to high. Oh, light is red, but walk lane says go? Jumps in cross walk and nearly runs over everyone. Oh theres a turn signal at a traffic light? Jumps from sidewalk to turn lane.

[–] DudeImMacGyver@kbin.earth 5 points 19 hours ago (4 children)

You can get fucked up on a bicycle or skateboard too: Should they be forced to get plates?

[–] thebustinater@lemmy.zip 4 points 19 hours ago (2 children)

Because the weight and speed are so comparable...?

[–] DudeImMacGyver@kbin.earth 0 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

Are you trolling or being serious?

[–] thebustinater@lemmy.zip 5 points 17 hours ago

I'd take being hit by a kid on a skateboard over one on an e-bike any day... but you do you

[–] Telodzrum@lemmy.world 2 points 16 hours ago

Bike registration is already required in a lot of places.

[–] DScratch@sh.itjust.works 1 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

No. I don’t think so.

You can get fucked up walking. You can get fucked up standing still. You can get fucked up while asleep in your bed.

The difference is the risk of getting fucked up, being fucked up by someone else and the amount of fucking up a given tier of activity presents.

[–] DudeImMacGyver@kbin.earth 2 points 16 hours ago

I think its fine to have a difference for emoto vs ebike vs moped, but lumping electric bicycles in general with them is bullshit.

[–] leftzero@lemmy.dbzer0.com -1 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago) (1 children)

Yes. Including passing a hard civics test, no retries. And keep them off the fucking sidewalks.

[–] DudeImMacGyver@kbin.earth 2 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

Maybe give them a fucking safe, usable bike path?

[–] leftzero@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 11 hours ago

Well, yes, obviously. But if there isn't one they stay out of the city, with the rest of the dangerous machinery, not on the sidewalk with the civilised people.

[–] dickalan@lemmy.world 0 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

The solution to the world's problems is less people not more people, if idiots want to lobotomize themselves by being a idiot on a scooter then that's all the better for society

[–] DScratch@sh.itjust.works 2 points 15 hours ago

And they people they harm in the process?

[–] leftzero@lemmy.dbzer0.com -4 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 11 hours ago) (1 children)

The enemy of my enemy is not my friend.

Ban cars from the cities.

Turn roads into bus/tram/delivery and bike lanes, making the sidewalks wider, with space for trees and terraces.

Require a license with a damn hard civics test to even be allowed to look at any form of personal transport (including roller skates) let alone drive it in the city. You get one try. Don't even dare looking at a wheel ever again in your horrible little uncivil life if you failed it, on pain of pain.

THROW ANY FUCKING CYCLISTS OR SIMILAR WHEELED BASTARDS¹ WHO DON'T STAY IN THE BIKE LANES OR EVEN LOOK AT THE SIDEWALK INTO THE FUCKING SNAKE PIT; LET THE SNAKES GROW FAT AND LUSTROUS ON THEIR UNCIVILISED BLOOD.

1.- Wheelchairs are fine with a medical certificate; motorised ones and personal scooters are not, get the licence and stay on your fucking lane, you wheeled asshole.

[–] pewgar_seemsimandroid@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 15 hours ago

you're in the echochamber pro max

[–] Korhaka@sopuli.xyz 8 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Should we come up with stealth ebikes and make regular bikes look a bit like ebikes, they can't tell the difference.

[–] bryndos@fedia.io 6 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Do you mean an ebike that is as slow as a pedal bike, and you have to move your feet round and round whilst it goes?

It feels like there might be a way to do this and save some expensive parts, and a whole letter of the alphabet.

[–] plant@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Don't be silly. We'll engineer en expensive solution to hide it all in the downtube.

[–] DudeImMacGyver@kbin.earth 1 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

There are plenty of bikes like that already.

[–] plant@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

Not this expensive there aren't

[–] DudeImMacGyver@kbin.earth 1 points 18 hours ago

Not sure about that but Ride1up makes an affordable one. There are definitely multiple expensive ones out there too though I don't remember their names.

[–] Ooops@feddit.org 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

This is about registration for 20mph limited ebikes and 28mph limited pedal-assist bikes, with only 20mph pedal-assist staying free.

I don't actually get why ebike vs. pedelec should make a huge difference. But the speed limits to require registration don't actually look unreasonable high. At least I don't know many people casually biking at 28mph (or even 20mph...).

[–] DudeImMacGyver@kbin.earth 1 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

Have you never heard of hills? Even with gears anyone can hit those speeds on a flat.

[–] Ooops@feddit.org 1 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago) (1 children)

Even with gears anyone can hit those speeds on a flat

Sure, but we are talking about bikes and ebikes as a mode of transportation, not as a professional sport. Nobody is casually biking above 20 miles per hour on a flat, much less in actual urban and suburban traffic.

If you want a moped or motorbike, although an electric one, that's fine. Get a license, insurance and ride it at the matching speeds between the cars but not in bike lanes normally intentionally protected from that traffic.

[–] DudeImMacGyver@kbin.earth 1 points 14 hours ago

Dude, I can do that and I'm not even every fast. If you rode a bike with good gear range I bet you could too.

[–] Korhaka@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 day ago

Ohh mph, that puts it at moped speeds then which makes more sense

[–] Korhaka@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 day ago

UK requires bikes to be pedal assist anyway, pedal at 1w and the motor does the effort. Yes I am training for the tour de France sprints, that is why I am going so fast.

[–] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

They do have bike motors you can install on a standard bike. It's not going to be as powerful as a moped or anything, and you risk having it stolen off your bike, but they exist.

[–] Korhaka@sopuli.xyz 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Some can be pretty powerful. Not sure what you could get stealthily though. Backpack with the battery pack and run a cable down your leg to the motor?

Now I wonder how much thrust efficiency you get from a high powered electric turbine fan...

[–] DudeImMacGyver@kbin.earth 2 points 1 day ago

Battery in a frame bag or under pannier bags on the rack.