<![CDATA[@meganL asks:]]>@meganL asks:

Was reading on new e-cycle classifications in Massachusetts and it occurred to me that cycles probably have more trouble crossing borders than motor vehicles (cars, trucks, vans) do.

There are differences in regulations on motor vehicle equipment between US states and between nations, but I get the impression that they're more inflexible with cycles than cars. But perhaps I'm biased on this.

Q7. What do y'all think?

cc @bikenite

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/topic/16c4dd82-af88-48a1-aa1e-958fb43971ad/@meganl-asksRSS for NodeFri, 15 May 2026 03:35:31 GMTFri, 08 May 2026 23:48:00 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Tue, 12 May 2026 14:08:44 GMT]]>@edd @ascentale @bikenite Speaking of this subject, Californians need to act.

https://mas.to/@meganL/116561981897855058

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mas.to/users/meganL/statuses/116561996952689205https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mas.to/users/meganL/statuses/116561996952689205Tue, 12 May 2026 14:08:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sun, 10 May 2026 20:25:02 GMT]]>@meganL @edd @ascentale @bikenite A7. I agree with Megan about the complexity here. Power based regs will really kneecap cargo bikes as car replacements. You need that power to make utility bikes practical.

I’m not sure there’s a viable way to legislate this situation without net negative tradeoffs. I think we have to solve it socially.

Buying better infrastructure would make a big difference.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://hachyderm.io/ap/users/116160335770650802/statuses/116552152018986393https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://hachyderm.io/ap/users/116160335770650802/statuses/116552152018986393Sun, 10 May 2026 20:25:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sun, 10 May 2026 19:36:51 GMT]]>@meganL @daihard @ascentale @bikenite Check out ILlinois https://www.ilsos.gov/news/2026/april-15-2026-illinois-senate-unanimously-passes-giannoulias-e-bike-bill.html

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mathstodon.xyz/users/geonz/statuses/116551962573787277https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mathstodon.xyz/users/geonz/statuses/116551962573787277Sun, 10 May 2026 19:36:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sun, 10 May 2026 09:54:13 GMT]]>@edd @ascentale @bikenite I think there needs to be a lot more community discussion about definitions and best practices for accessible but safe regulations.

Even our terms need updating "motor vehicle" means car, but e-bikes and e-scooters have motors. EV stands for "electric vehicle" but e-bikes are unquestionably electric and vehicles. We need to catch up with the state of tech in our language, classifications, and infrastructure. And organize to fight blanket bans on e-bikes.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mas.to/users/meganL/statuses/116549671536147221https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mas.to/users/meganL/statuses/116549671536147221Sun, 10 May 2026 09:54:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sun, 10 May 2026 09:51:29 GMT]]>@edd @ascentale @bikenite I look forward to community discussion among various advocacy groups to come up with bettery categories for regulation (wattage is not the only factor in speed and a heavier rider needs more wattage to do hills, for instance), but I agree that a lot of what people are endangered by aren't actually e-bikes but e-motorcycles.

Amazon stops illegal e-bike sales in California following KCRA 3 Investigates request

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUGDSV7vSS4

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mas.to/users/meganL/statuses/116549660822382704https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mas.to/users/meganL/statuses/116549660822382704Sun, 10 May 2026 09:51:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sun, 10 May 2026 09:40:10 GMT]]>@cassey @ascentale @bikenite Yeah, Canada seems very tough that way. I wonder how it compares to other countries?

I wanted to drive my accessible van to Canada and leave it with my friend, but it turned out that would be treated as "importing" it like a dealer and they don't even let you do that if the car is old but not a "classic".

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mas.to/users/meganL/statuses/116549616300016602https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mas.to/users/meganL/statuses/116549616300016602Sun, 10 May 2026 09:40:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sun, 10 May 2026 09:38:25 GMT]]>@daihard @ascentale @bikenite Yes, I have heard of this being an issue in the UK as well. Saw an investigative report where they talked to a guy who modded ebikes to be used in drive-by muggings.

I think we have to come up with things that target those who are being unsafe instead of doing blanket stuff that hurts those who are operating things safely. I think it needs to be a community conversation how best to do that.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mas.to/users/meganL/statuses/116549609451740653https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mas.to/users/meganL/statuses/116549609451740653Sun, 10 May 2026 09:38:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sat, 09 May 2026 20:17:16 GMT]]>@andrew773 @wolfinpdx @ascentale @bikenite

I too would prefer emotos to cars ON THE STREET. But I disagree about regulation. I used to own a Honda Metropolitan, a motor scooter similar to a Vespa, topped out at 35 mph. Regulations required it to have lights, signals, license plate, insurance and required me to have a motorcycle endorsement on my drivers license. So why wouldn't emotos, some that can go even faster, not follow the same requirements to be street worthy?

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://urbanists.social/users/MartyCormack/statuses/116546459146676565https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://urbanists.social/users/MartyCormack/statuses/116546459146676565Sat, 09 May 2026 20:17:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sat, 09 May 2026 15:58:59 GMT]]>@ascentale @meganL @bikenite Ultimately I think the only workable solution is regulating at point of import and point of sale, since there's no obvious way to regulate on the street. Stiff fines and risk of closure/jail for mislabeling or selling to someone unqualified, e.g. with a moto license, and similar for being caught riding one unqualified (by doing something else that's dangerous). Of course, ebikes at appropriate wattage should be regulated akin to regular bikes & batteries.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://freeradical.zone/users/edd/statuses/116545443570023113https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://freeradical.zone/users/edd/statuses/116545443570023113Sat, 09 May 2026 15:58:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sat, 09 May 2026 15:07:57 GMT]]>@wolfinpdx @MartyCormack @ascentale @bikenite More regulation will slow their adoption and honestly I prefer e motos to more cars. I find belligerent reckless distracted operation of motor vehicles basically endemic in the United States with LE contributing to the problem more than enforcing it. Private vehicles make it onto multi use trails all the time where I am. A small city of people are killed by cars every year just in the US and almost no one by e moto.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.online/users/andrew773/statuses/116545242904802361https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.online/users/andrew773/statuses/116545242904802361Sat, 09 May 2026 15:07:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sat, 09 May 2026 15:04:28 GMT]]>@ascentale @meganL @bikenite A7. Probably not too inflexible with bikes since no cop can seem to tell the difference between an e-bike and a bike frame with a lawn mower engine crudely attached around here.

I do think there needs to be some at least loosely agreed upon peak power limits to be classified as an e-bike, based on weight to a degree, that cuts off for regular bikes in the 250-500W range. No need to have more power AND less skill than the pros.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://freeradical.zone/users/edd/statuses/116545229173261839https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://freeradical.zone/users/edd/statuses/116545229173261839Sat, 09 May 2026 15:04:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sat, 09 May 2026 14:29:27 GMT]]>@lopta @ascentale @meganL @bikenite Yes, but the orginal question used the term "borders" specifically in reference to the several states of the United States.

International border crossings are quite different.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.plus/users/gcvsa/statuses/116545091485516730https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.plus/users/gcvsa/statuses/116545091485516730Sat, 09 May 2026 14:29:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sat, 09 May 2026 14:23:10 GMT]]>@gcvsa @ascentale @meganL @bikenite *other countries are available. 😉

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/lopta/statuses/116545066810611782https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/lopta/statuses/116545066810611782Sat, 09 May 2026 14:23:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sat, 09 May 2026 13:52:46 GMT]]>@MartyCormack

@andrew773 @ascentale @bikenite

I'm not saying that people who drive cars and trucks and other four wheeled vehicles aren't guilty of bad driving. Hell, I see people riding non-electric bikes doing dumb shit on the roads too.

What makes these emotos stand out to me is that they don't have plates, don't have lights, and aren't regulated it seems. They're quiet and fast. It makes them dangerous. Especially on pedestrian infrastructure. Like in a shopping plaza full of people.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://pdx.social/users/wolfinpdx/statuses/116544947228086938https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://pdx.social/users/wolfinpdx/statuses/116544947228086938Sat, 09 May 2026 13:52:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sat, 09 May 2026 13:46:01 GMT]]>@wolfinpdx @andrew773 @ascentale @bikenite

I hate those things too, but not as much as I hate cars/trucks.
For every one time I've seen an emoto rider doing something stupid and unsafe, I've seen a hundred car/truck drivers doing something stupid and unsafe. On Thursday alone I must have witnessed a dozen drivers execute a "right turn on red" without even slowing down. Whatever happened to "come to a full stop, yield the right of way and proceed with caution?"

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://urbanists.social/users/MartyCormack/statuses/116544920743450332https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://urbanists.social/users/MartyCormack/statuses/116544920743450332Sat, 09 May 2026 13:46:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sat, 09 May 2026 13:45:05 GMT]]>@MartyCormack

@andrew773 @ascentale @bikenite

Just one more example. There's a group of 5 or 6 teenage kids probably just under 16 who all must have got emotos around the same time in the neighborhood by our apartment complex. Rich parents, judging from clothing and safety gear. They've been going around acting like a gang. Getting up to all kinds of destructive shit. They zip off as soon as they're caught in the act. Waiting for them to level up to theft.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://pdx.social/users/wolfinpdx/statuses/116544917015592222https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://pdx.social/users/wolfinpdx/statuses/116544917015592222Sat, 09 May 2026 13:45:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sat, 09 May 2026 13:37:17 GMT]]>@MartyCormack

@andrew773 @ascentale @meganL@mas.to @bikenite

This is just one example:
Saw a guy on an e-moto driving in traffic, no lights, no plates. Pulls into a left turn lane at a red light. Waits for traffic going in the opposite direction to pass. Turns on the red, which had a signal. Then drives onto the _sidewalk_ for some damn reason, going at least 25mph.

I hate the damn things. Not as much as those electric scooters you can rent. Those end up thrown in the rivers here. But it's close.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://pdx.social/users/wolfinpdx/statuses/116544886379348483https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://pdx.social/users/wolfinpdx/statuses/116544886379348483Sat, 09 May 2026 13:37:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sat, 09 May 2026 12:57:04 GMT]]>@andrew773 @ascentale @meganL @bikenite
That is true and obvious in general. The issue here is on multiuse paths and bicycle infrastructure where cars are already not allowed. I've encountered emotos on multiuse paths going 35 mph or faster, a speed very likely to kill another path user. We're trying to get those off of the bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://urbanists.social/users/MartyCormack/statuses/116544728256620936https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://urbanists.social/users/MartyCormack/statuses/116544728256620936Sat, 09 May 2026 12:57:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sat, 09 May 2026 12:24:37 GMT]]>@ascentale @meganL @bikenite A7) I look forward to finding out one day.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/lopta/statuses/116544600652984920https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/lopta/statuses/116544600652984920Sat, 09 May 2026 12:24:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sat, 09 May 2026 10:36:15 GMT]]>@pete @meganL @ascentale @bikenite
Yes, it happens at the enforcement end, and in the insurance and civil lawsuit situation. If you have an illegal emoto running on a multiuse path and you hit and injure or kill another path user, the law enforcement issue might be the lesser of your concerns. You might get sued, your insurance company won't cover the liability and then you lose your home in the lawsuit.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://urbanists.social/users/MartyCormack/statuses/116544174553174985https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://urbanists.social/users/MartyCormack/statuses/116544174553174985Sat, 09 May 2026 10:36:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sat, 09 May 2026 09:32:05 GMT]]>… (in the UK) it's the Cybertruck, derestricted/throttle eeb, or electric scooter thing. Not are illegal per se, but you're only allowed to legally use them on private land.

@meganL @MartyCormack @ascentale @bikenite

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://masto.hypertelia.com/users/pete/statuses/116543922232291319https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://masto.hypertelia.com/users/pete/statuses/116543922232291319Sat, 09 May 2026 09:32:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sat, 09 May 2026 08:49:04 GMT]]>@meganL @MartyCormack @ascentale @bikenite Isn't it usually the case where ownership isn't illegal, but usage on public roads is. So you could likely cross borders without a check and perhaps never even get caught, but should an enforcement officer choose to take a look once you're out and about you are then acting illegally.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://masto.hypertelia.com/users/pete/statuses/116543753035054165https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://masto.hypertelia.com/users/pete/statuses/116543753035054165Sat, 09 May 2026 08:49:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sat, 09 May 2026 08:03:49 GMT]]>@cassey @ascentale @meganL A7 most e-bike (and laptop/USB) chargers accept a wide AC voltage range (100-240-ish, it's on the label) and just need a compatible cord or adapted plug. This can also be handy if you want to charge on j1772 car charging stations. Crossing state lines in the US on any bike though, is usually a bridge owned by two state DOTs 😬

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://urbanists.social/users/enobacon/statuses/116543575146576598https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://urbanists.social/users/enobacon/statuses/116543575146576598Sat, 09 May 2026 08:03:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to @meganL asks: on Sat, 09 May 2026 07:35:30 GMT]]> A7 The US Consumer Product Safety Commission defined "Low-speed electric bicycles" as 750W and 20mph, in... 2002? And it supersedes state laws that are more restrictive (in stores, if perhaps not on the street?)
https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section2085&num=0&edition=prelim

@ascentale @meganL

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://urbanists.social/users/enobacon/statuses/116543463810058892https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://urbanists.social/users/enobacon/statuses/116543463810058892Sat, 09 May 2026 07:35:30 GMT