Illegal e-bikes reaching speeds of more than 100 kilometres per hour

Franco Cozzo · 25-07-2021, 09:25 PM

I've got to admit, these e-bikes have raised my interest, especially one that can do over 100km/h, would be fun to take along the Tullamarine Freeway

Quote:

The electric bicycle market in Australia is booming with sales up a staggering 800 per cent in five years.

But the popularity of e-bikes has highlighted a riskier trend — illegal modifications that allow the bikes to reach speeds of more than 100 kilometres per hour.

Australia's peak industry group, Bicycle Industries Australia (BIA), is now lobbying federal and state governments to review the regulations.

It believes lifting the 25 kph maximum assisted speed — the lowest in the world — would ultimately increase safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-...rise/100318382

I think its a bit nanny state with the ridiculously low speed limit on these things,

Has anyone got an e-bike or experienced these people out on their travels? I come across some when I was in Brisbane walking along the river in South Bank.

Mulva · 25-07-2021, 09:40 PM

Don't want to be that guy (but I will)...if they're going to hit those sorts of speeds then they should have to pay compulsory third party insurance to cover injuries to themselves and others.

Having said that, I'm very interested as have been looking at ex-Aussie Post bikes for cheap get around and one of these would do that job nicely.

**Rallye Sport** · 25-07-2021, 09:43 PM

I've had a ride of one of these. The B-52.
https://stealthelectricbikes.com/
Frankly it was dangerous. Best fun I've ever had with my pants on

Previous to that I converted a 60's mens bike with a four stroke chinese Honda knock off engine. They came in two sizes, 49cc which was, at the time legal or 70cc. The trick was to order them direct and have the 70 stamped as a 49.

I used to hunt and pass scooter riders on it laughing as I went past in boardies and flano. Had a serious moment riding to work one morning, sold it and went back to driving cars like one should.

**mad2** · 25-07-2021, 09:48 PM

yeah saw that earlier today .... dunno why you would limit them down that low when i'm doing 60 k's on a 36 gear mountain bike!? ........ on the road tho

i'd hate to be hitting 100 k's on one of them electric's

Franco Cozzo · 25-07-2021, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

I've had a ride of one of these. The B-52.
https://stealthelectricbikes.com/
Frankly it was dangerous. Best fun I've ever had with my pants on

Previous to that I converted a 60's mens bike with a four stroke chinese Honda knock off engine. They came in two sizes, 49cc which was, at the time legal or 70cc. The trick was to order them direct and have the 70 stamped as a 49.

I used to hunt and pass scooter riders on it laughing as I went past in boardies and flano. Had a serious moment riding to work one morning, sold it and went back to driving cars like one should.

There appears to be these electric conversion kits for normal push bikes - this one is 3KW:

https://www.amazon.com.au/3000W-Moto.../dp/B07B1XXCCY

Claims 155NM torque - should make for a reasonably fast push bike, wonder if you could take advantage of a mountain bike with all its gears?

**Rallye Sport** · 25-07-2021, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

There appears to be these electric conversion kits for normal push bikes - this one is 3KW:

https://www.amazon.com.au/3000W-Moto.../dp/B07B1XXCCY

Claims 155NM torque - should make for a reasonably fast push bike, wonder if you could take advantage of a mountain bike with all its gears?

They work on a hub drive so conventional gearing won't be of any assistance. However if you do choose to peddle assist the gearing will help.

Don't believe any of the range quotes, unless you're peddling aswell, at an economical and probably appropriate 20km/h you'd be lucky to make it to the bottlo and back.

prydey · 26-07-2021, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Has anyone got an e-bike or experienced these people out on their travels? I come across some when I was in Brisbane walking along the river in South Bank.

I come across e bikes fairly often and 90% of them I can despatch with pretty easily, except on hills, but even then I can generally catch back up once things flatten out.

I read that article, and while there are de restricted ones out there, I don't think they are as prevalent as the article makes out. The 100kmh+ claims will just be one or two on YouTube. Enough for any journalist these days to make out every city is being overrun with them

I did come across a motorised wheel chair one night on my ride home that I expected to just blow straight past but ended up needing to put in a bit, exceeding 30+km to get past after both having been stationary waiting to cross an intersection. Basically if it's got a motor of some sort, some people will modify it.

slowsnake · 26-07-2021, 09:22 AM

If ya think the bikes are bad, wait until you turn a corner on the footpath with a knob head coming at you on a big bloody scooter at 25k's..scary stuff

Chilly Beers

Pis-ton broke · 26-07-2021, 09:56 AM

i fell off a racehorse doing a track gallop one time, at approx.60kph, that was rough. falling/crashing a bike on concrete at 60+ kph is double rough imo.

mac_man_luke · 26-07-2021, 11:06 AM

Iv got an e-mountain bike that is factory limited to 25kph (for assistance, can pedal faster but good luck) which i find crazy as you can easily ride faster than that on a normal bike
Iv changed mine over to the US firmware which is limited to 32kph and i find that pretty perfect - not smashing into the limiter regularly (which is like hitting a wall!) but not excessively fast that your a danger.

and its still hard work keeping it at any decent speeds, no free ride on a pedal assist bike.

xkxlxm · 26-07-2021, 01:43 PM

Tullamarine Freeway? I saw a bike there once and it was causing problems ... it must have fallen off the back of a car and was sitting there, in one of the in-bound middle lanes with traffic in that lane banked up behind it. Luckily, I was in an outside lane. Goodness knows how long it took to get that sorted out.

cheap · 26-07-2021, 02:00 PM

Crashing my motorcycle @ 80km/hr taught me the importance of leathers and helmets. Crashing on a bicycle at +50/hr with minimal protection … RIP!

naddis01 · 26-07-2021, 02:23 PM

My Mum used to be an ICU nurse in her younger days. She has often told me that the worst injury she ever saw was someone that came of a motorbike at urban speeds onto a tar road with no leathers. He was skun from head to toe and I can only imagine the pain he must have been in. If you came off one of these bikes at similar speeds with no protection the outcome is going to be the same.

T3rminator · 26-07-2021, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

.......
Has anyone got an e-bike or experienced these people out on their travels? I come across some when I was in Brisbane walking along the river in South Bank.

I bought one many moons ago, a proper one, ASEAKO, cost $1700, weighs close to 30kgs with the battery. It has the "patented" crank driven tech. I upgraded the output to 500w for, ahem, off road purposes only. On a flat surface, flat out peddling with full power, I reached 60kmh. NOT recommended, if I had come off it'd be bye bye. I came off once rounding a corner on wet bitumen, doing probably 5kmh, cut my knee so bad you could see the cartilage / bone?

My dad has now commandeered the bike. He rides it to the malls all the time, 10-15kms trip (when not in lock down), does his shopping, throws all the stuff in the back, then rides home. I'm always worried he'll stack it, but its impossible to tell an old man what to do / not to do.

On the speed limit....its need IMHO. 30kg + rider going into a pedestrian at say even 10kmh is going to be a world of hurt.

SumoDog68 · 26-07-2021, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

I come across e bikes fairly often and 90% of them I can despatch with pretty easily, except on hills, but even then I can generally catch back up once things flatten out.

I read that article, and while there are de restricted ones out there, I don't think they are as prevalent as the article makes out. The 100kmh+ claims will just be one or two on YouTube. Enough for any journalist these days to make out every city is being overrun with them

I did come across a motorised wheel chair one night on my ride home that I expected to just blow straight past but ended up needing to put in a bit, exceeding 30+km to get past after both having been stationary waiting to cross an intersection. Basically if it's got a motor of some sort, some people will modify it.

I 've been riding (and racing ) road/track and have electric commuter bike (pedal assist Bosch , so need to pedal to move) . My commute is just under 30km one way so conventional bike ride is a bit too much as job is also quite physical . Most fit roadies underestimate electric bike riders and assume they are non cyclists . So it is quite amusing to have them trying to keep up .

Franco Cozzo · 26-07-2021, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naddis01

My Mum used to be an ICU nurse in her younger days. She has often told me that the worst injury she ever saw was someone that came of a motorbike at urban speeds onto a tar road with no leathers. He was skun from head to toe and I can only imagine the pain he must have been in. If you came off one of these bikes at similar speeds with no protection the outcome is going to be the same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SS-AWVfjWY

#HarleyDavidson

Lifestyle brand, not a motorcycle company

Franco Cozzo · 26-07-2021, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowsnake

If ya think the bikes are bad, wait until you turn a corner on the footpath with a knob head coming at you on a big bloody scooter at 25k's..scary stuff

Chilly Beers

Those scooter things were all over Adelaide,

I head out my hotel parking garage at 3:30AM Easter Sunday ready to drive back to Melbourne, there's these drunk 'Daniella Ricciardo's' hauling *** on renta-scooters that are dumped all over the place, its like a plague.

I guess when you have the option of hauling *** on the renta-scooter on the footpath vs Uber and you're wasted, the renta-scooter is always going to win that battle

If they had those here in Melbourne 3 months in they'd all be at the bottom of the Yarra river like everyone else whose tried their renta-bull**** in our city.

Tell you what those e-bike things can be pretty pricey, when you start talking 4 figures, I saw some were $3500 USD - you're getting into motorbike money.

Why have an e-Bike when you can have motorbike

Brand new ride-away, this absolute weapon is like $3600 Australian pesos

Yes I'm aware this is a scooter not a motorbike

If I buy an apartment and move into the city, gonna get me one of those bad boys and Harley Davidson branded motorbike clothes and pootle around on me rad scooter.

T3rminator · 26-07-2021, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

.........
Tell you what those e-bike things can be pretty pricey, when you start talking 4 figures, I saw some were $3500 USD - you're getting into motorbike money.

Why have an e-Bike when you can have motorbike

.......

Licence, registration and RWC.

Franco Cozzo · 26-07-2021, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3rminator

Licence, registration and RWC.

What do you mean license, registration and RWC - where I'm from if you don't have a license your career prospects are working casually at the local IGA and in your spare time when you aren't stacking shelves, rip billies and smash the windows at the local school for entertainment, otherwise its a 30km walk to the next major town

I walked to the local pub once for no reason, takes 5 minutes to drive, took 1.5 hours each way on foot

T3rminator · 26-07-2021, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

What do you mean license, registration and RWC - where I'm from if you don't have a license your career prospects are working casually at the local IGA and in your spare time when you aren't stacking shelves, rip billies and smash the windows at the local school for entertainment, otherwise its a 30km walk to the next major town

haha...... well, I heard if its over 250w, it is officially classified as a motor vehicle, and will be bound by all the legislation that goes with it.

Its the battery and controller that gives the output, not the motor. Many motors will say 250w, but you never know what battery and controller is behind it.

Trendseeker · 26-07-2021, 10:45 PM

I have an e-bike with a Bosch motor. It produces 48nm of torque, but the latest top models produce up to 80nm. Other brands can go higher. My bike isn’t modified and the assistance starts to fade at 25kmh and drops off completely at 27kmh.

It’s easy to go on reasonably long rides without much effort. I get a range of about 60km between charges on the maximum level of assistance up to almost double that on the lower levels. I’ve been tempted to modify it, but I’d only go as far as 32kmh.

The problem with the delimiters is that they bump up the top speed without thought for how you’re going to stop. Imagine screaming along at 100kmh and then needing to stop suddenly.

Mine has hydraulic discs but they wouldn’t stop quickly enough at those speeds.

Trendseeker · 26-07-2021, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Why have an e-Bike when you can have motorbike.

It’s good to get off the road and ride some of the nice bike tracks.

prydey · 26-07-2021, 11:22 PM

I only have rim brakes on my bike. I've been over 90kmh on some downhills where I know the road and no driveways or side streets, and it's rural, and there is no quick way to stop. You have to keep releasing the brake as well and best to alternate front and rear. Disc brakes are better but still lack the ability to stop in a hurry.

**DJR-351** · 27-07-2021, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SS-AWVfjWY

#HarleyDavidson

Lifestyle brand, not a motorcycle company

The good old Harley Death Wobble, definitely one of life’s great experiences and one to be savoured.....

Franco Cozzo · 27-07-2021, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJR-351

The good old Harley Death Wobble, definitely one of life’s great experiences and one to be savoured.....

He pulled off a pretty rad 360 though

Preferably enjoyed with clothes more substantial than a singlet and with a full face helmet.

anobserver · 27-07-2021, 07:47 AM

Hi Franco

Looked at and test rode some e bikes in Brissy earlier this year. It was interesting. The added acceleration at low speeds took me by surprise. Corners arrived more quickly, and that surprised some motorists, though as a rider you would soon get used to it.

Eventually i decided they have potential but currently strangled by regulation. The added weight means extra work once over 25. If the regs change that would be helpful, but until then i just dont see the point.

As an uncommitted cyclist, i do ocasionally take my bike to work on the train and then ride 15kms home. The roads are rubbish, the footpaths unusable and theres no bikepaths. But it keeps life interesting.

More power and speed might make an e bike a recreational purchase, but not for regular commuting, forget it. The lunatics behind the wheel make life too scary, and i still carry scars from their past inadequacies.

slowsnake · 27-07-2021, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

I only have rim brakes on my bike. I've been over 90kmh on some downhills where I know the road and no driveways or side streets, and it's rural, and there is no quick way to stop. You have to keep releasing the brake as well and best to alternate front and rear. Disc brakes are better but still lack the ability to stop in a hurry.

You're nuts!

Chilly Beers

Pis-ton broke · 30-07-2021, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

I only have rim brakes on my bike. I've been over 90kmh on some downhills where I know the road and no driveways or side streets, and it's rural, and there is no quick way to stop. You have to keep releasing the brake as well and best to alternate front and rear. Disc brakes are better but still lack the ability to stop in a hurry.

have you seen those guys riding along a rocky mountain top and then ride down the mountain, ****in insane.

hayseed · 30-07-2021, 10:18 PM

20 Odd years ago i was Going Down Mt Ousley In a truck in the Truck lane (40Kmh Truck speed Limit) & got passed by a couple of Uni Students on Skateboards..!!

There's one of those Speed Check Gadgets at the Bottom of Ousley & Apparently they were After Bragging rights to the Highest Speed...!!

roKWiz · 31-07-2021, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayseed

20 Odd years ago i was Going Down Mt Ousley In a truck in the Truck lane (40Kmh Truck speed Limit) & got passed by a couple of Uni Students on Skateboards..!!

There's one of those Speed Check Gadgets at the Bottom of Ousley & Apparently they were After Bragging rights to the Highest Speed...!!

Must admit, I used to do similar stupid things on my MTB coming down Cheero Point on the then F3. Pushing 90km/h using the tailwind from semi's blasting past, (not in low gear) could exit at the Hawkesbury river bridge, onto the old Hwy for the long slow climb up to Berowra.

Helped me for time trial training at Calga.