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I'm suddenly seeing more of these around Canberra, the riders not
pedalling at all. Tonights was a little scary, coming towards me on the path, motorbike styled fairing and motorbike helmet, it was only when I noticed the unused pedals that I realised it wasn't a motorbike. Of course, it could still be outside the Australian power limit. |
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#2
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Chris Baird wrote:
(Pushbikes aren't quite eligible for NRMA roadside assistance..) Actually, I think they are (now), or was that RACV? |
#3
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Aeek wrote:
I'm suddenly seeing more of these around Canberra, the riders not pedalling at all. Tonights was a little scary, coming towards me on the path, motorbike styled fairing and motorbike helmet, it was only when I noticed the unused pedals that I realised it wasn't a motorbike. Of course, it could still be outside the Australian power limit. The Roadside Assist is RACV. The 200W power limit is essentially a dumb idea that throttles the use of alternative transport. The Chinese manufacture more than half a million assisted bicycles rated at 500W each year. The number we import is precisely Zero, because of this archaic and idiotic regulation. So much for combatting climate change. |
#4
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ray wrote: Aeek wrote: I'm suddenly seeing more of these around Canberra, the riders not pedalling at all. Tonights was a little scary, coming towards me on the path, motorbike styled fairing and motorbike helmet, it was only when I noticed the unused pedals that I realised it wasn't a motorbike. Of course, it could still be outside the Australian power limit. The Roadside Assist is RACV. The 200W power limit is essentially a dumb idea that throttles the use of alternative transport. I don't think expecting people to have to be licenced (and thus, at least to a certain extent, trained) to drive a vehicle under power , and the vehicle to have to conform to safety standards is a dumb idea that damages anything. The opposite, on the other hand, IMO , is. |
#5
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On 2006-12-15, Bleve (aka Bruce)
was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea: ray wrote: Aeek wrote: I'm suddenly seeing more of these around Canberra, the riders not pedalling at all. Tonights was a little scary, coming towards me on the path, motorbike styled fairing and motorbike helmet, it was only when I noticed the unused pedals that I realised it wasn't a motorbike. Of course, it could still be outside the Australian power limit. The Roadside Assist is RACV. The 200W power limit is essentially a dumb idea that throttles the use of alternative transport. I don't think expecting people to have to be licenced (and thus, at least to a certain extent, trained) to drive a vehicle under power , and the vehicle to have to conform to safety standards is a dumb idea that damages anything. The opposite, on the other hand, IMO , is. Unfortunately, in most states in Australia, you need a motorbike license even for sub 50cc. But even for those states who do allow you to ride sub 50cc motorbikes on a car license, you still can't ride these bikes. Given that they are low powered light weight alternatives to real motorbikes, that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever to me. And it does cut off a real alternative. Getting a motorbike license is a real pain (I don't have one yet because I'm lazy. I also can't see how I can get a motorbike up here, and then go through the process of getting a license and transporting the bike around until I do get the license; but maybe I'm a little dim). Given these things will not be much less safer than a bicycle, why the hell should one have to go through that pain? -- TimC "I looked back and bikes and riders were flipping in the air. There must have been 20-30+ riders in the pile." -- overheard after Early Bird 4/5 race |
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ray wrote:
The Roadside Assist is RACV. The 200W power limit is essentially a dumb idea that throttles the use of alternative transport. Well, where do you draw the line then? Or do you think we should stop regulating all motor vehicles? You are quite free to buy a more powerful moped, but you need a drivers license, registration, and it must meet safety standards. Is that so bad? The Chinese manufacture more than half a million assisted bicycles rated at 500W The ones that look like motor scooters? I've seen those in China, and they are a useless fad. First, you only ever see them in flat cities, where a regular bicycle would be better. In hilly places, where a powered bike would be useful, they don't exist, presumably due to limited power, poor range and high cost of reduced battery life. If battery technology improves, e.g. cheaper Li-Ion, then 500W electric bikes might be practical. Regular bicycles with bolt-on petrol engines are much more practical currently, but just not fashionable. The 200W limit comes from the power of a regular, fit cyclist, as these motorised bikes are intended for the disabled, not for lazy slobs who have had their drivers' license suspended. |
#7
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Bleve wrote:
ray wrote: Aeek wrote: I'm suddenly seeing more of these around Canberra, the riders not pedalling at all. Tonights was a little scary, coming towards me on the path, motorbike styled fairing and motorbike helmet, it was only when I noticed the unused pedals that I realised it wasn't a motorbike. Of course, it could still be outside the Australian power limit. The Roadside Assist is RACV. The 200W power limit is essentially a dumb idea that throttles the use of alternative transport. I don't think expecting people to have to be licenced (and thus, at least to a certain extent, trained) to drive a vehicle under power , and the vehicle to have to conform to safety standards is a dumb idea that damages anything. The opposite, on the other hand, IMO , is. I agree, although it is worth keeping in mind that 500W is less than the power of a moped (1000W). Maybe there's a need for a special class for 200-500W vehicles, otherwise people will avoid them and get a car or motorbike. Cheers, Vince |
#8
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I really like them. It gives me a buzz riding past them and leaving
them behind :-) Mike wrote: ray wrote: The Roadside Assist is RACV. The 200W power limit is essentially a dumb idea that throttles the use of alternative transport. Well, where do you draw the line then? Or do you think we should stop regulating all motor vehicles? You are quite free to buy a more powerful moped, but you need a drivers license, registration, and it must meet safety standards. Is that so bad? The Chinese manufacture more than half a million assisted bicycles rated at 500W The ones that look like motor scooters? I've seen those in China, and they are a useless fad. First, you only ever see them in flat cities, where a regular bicycle would be better. In hilly places, where a powered bike would be useful, they don't exist, presumably due to limited power, poor range and high cost of reduced battery life. If battery technology improves, e.g. cheaper Li-Ion, then 500W electric bikes might be practical. Regular bicycles with bolt-on petrol engines are much more practical currently, but just not fashionable. The 200W limit comes from the power of a regular, fit cyclist, as these motorised bikes are intended for the disabled, not for lazy slobs who have had their drivers' license suspended. |
#9
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On Sat, 16 Dec 2006 12:37:25 +0900, Mike
wrote: ray wrote: The Roadside Assist is RACV. The 200W power limit is essentially a dumb idea that throttles the use of alternative transport. Well, where do you draw the line then? Or do you think we should stop regulating all motor vehicles? You are quite free to buy a more powerful moped, but you need a drivers license, registration, and it must meet safety standards. Is that so bad? The Chinese manufacture more than half a million assisted bicycles rated at 500W The ones that look like motor scooters? I've seen those in China, and they are a useless fad. First, you only ever see them in flat cities, where a regular bicycle would be better. In hilly places, where a powered bike would be useful, they don't exist, presumably due to limited power, poor range and high cost of reduced battery life. If battery technology improves, e.g. cheaper Li-Ion, then 500W electric bikes might be practical. You would use a LiPol packs for such a need. Many use Lithium Polymer Batteries in radio controlled Helicopters these days instead of Nitro engines. I still fly Nitro but the Battery Helis that run LiPols are giving a;lmost the same flying time. This has only come about in the last 2 years of Helis. LiPols really pack a punch of high current for longer periods, but they catch fire if charged wrong, a fire so hot you get china syndrome. Burns through table and floor and will burn the house down Incinerated a few fliers cars from leaving them in a car unused. Pack swells and explodes with a burst of green flame, looks about as bright as arc welding at the burning core.. Na, OTH, **** the LiPols, too expensive. Bolt on a turbine, if youre gonna catch fire on a bike you may as well light it right up and put on a show. Solves the problem of having some extra crank power to make the best of a gap in traffic on the bike, a short burst on the after burner and youre kicking arses and taking names. Here's one http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...09871684663077 Any cars nearby will just pull over and clear the way when they see the 3 ft flame from the rear of the cycle. http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...42115142207408 |
#10
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"Mike" wrote: Regular bicycles with bolt-on petrol engines are much more practical currently, but just not fashionable. The 200W limit comes from the power of a regular, fit cyclist, as these motorised bikes are intended for the disabled, not for lazy slobs who have had their drivers' license suspended. Then there is something like this: http://cleverchimp.com/products/stokemonkey/ A very specific use for a power-assist that would be illegal here in Victoria if you did import one, but not intended for the disabled nor the lazy. It is designed to be used with a load carrying bike, and no pedalling, no power. To my mind a very practical use of power-assist. -- Cheers Peter ~~~ ~ _@ ~~ ~ _- \, ~~ (*)/ (*) |
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