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by JumpCrisscross 45 days ago
> need a distinction between pedal assist and fully electric (motor) bike

The only meaningful difference is if there is a motor or not. If there is a motor, it gets a speedometer and you have to stop at stop signs and red lights and follow speed limits. If you are powering yourself, it’s a bit more understandable that you don’t want to stop and start at every intersection. (Though if you have a racing bike, I’d reattach the speedometer and speed-limit requirements.)

2 comments

There’s no meaningful distinction between a race bike and a commuter bike that can be used for the purposes of lawmaking.
Around here, I've never seen an ebike without speedometer, and everyone on the street should respect street signs and red lights. I see no reason to ignore red lights or stop signs just because you're powering yourself.
I live in a small town with no lights, only stop signs. Everyone yields to bicycles and no one expects them to stop at intersections. Not really relevant to the majority of places though.