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Electric Bikes: Aural Annoyance or Environmental Ally?
By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 20, 2009
Modified Oct 20, 2009
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By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 20, 2009
Modified Oct 20, 2009
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You may have noticed that electric bikes, or "e-bikes," are increasingly popular in New York. But before you get swept up in the fad, be aware they're technically banned from state roads and city streets, which makes sense, because these things are annoying as they are dangerous—especially when driven by reckless delivery men who tear around like maniacs. The problem is that some e-bikers act like cyclists, using bike lanes and crowding bridge paths, when in fact they have the speed and force of a motor vehicle. And yet a proposal in Albany could flood NYC with these abominations!
Today Spokes takes a look at the e-bike trend, and notes that a bill making its way through Albany would amend the law to allow electric bikes with a top speed of 20 mph. While it's true that some pedal-powered cyclists sometimes suprass speeds of 20 mph, at least they earn it. But like most modes of transportation, the owners love their rides. Local screenwriter Anthony Jaswinski (Backwoods) rides a moped-style A2B and tells Spokes, "Love love love it. Can’t help but grin a little when gliding by angry cars and even scooters. Two times cops have approached me. Both times, they asked where they could get a bike like the A2B."
You know who else loves the A2B? Jay Leno. 'Nuff said. If these things get any more popular, you can count on an inevitable turf war rumble between the e-bikers, the moped gangs in Greenpoint, and the Black Label bike kill crowd. Which is our fantasy.
Tagged
bike kill
black label
electric bike
law
moped
nyc
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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