Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Electric Bikes
Reload this Page >

General e-moped offerings.

Search
Notices
Electric Bikes Here's a place to discuss ebikes, from home grown to high-tech.

General e-moped offerings.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-11-23, 09:27 AM
  #1  
cat0020
Ride more, eat less
Thread Starter
 
cat0020's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Philla PA, Hoboken NJ, Brooklyn NY
Posts: 2,144

Bikes: Too many but never enough.

Liked 823 Times in 504 Posts
Cool General e-moped offerings.

TREK getting into e-moped business:

https://electrek.co/2023/08/11/trek-...ctra-ponto-go/


https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...5013_d327e27f5


cat0020 is offline  
Likes For cat0020:
Old 08-11-23, 10:21 AM
  #2  
fooferdoggie 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,428
Liked 973 Times in 577 Posts
whats the point everyone and their dog makes them.
fooferdoggie is offline  
Likes For fooferdoggie:
Old 08-11-23, 10:50 AM
  #3  
cat0020
Ride more, eat less
Thread Starter
 
cat0020's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Philla PA, Hoboken NJ, Brooklyn NY
Posts: 2,144

Bikes: Too many but never enough.

Liked 823 Times in 504 Posts
Originally Posted by fooferdoggie
whats the point everyone and their dog makes them.
If you don't see the point, you don't have to post here; maybe someone else could be interested.
cat0020 is offline  
Likes For cat0020:
Old 08-11-23, 11:02 AM
  #4  
fooferdoggie 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,428
Liked 973 Times in 577 Posts
Originally Posted by cat0020
If you don't see the point, you don't have to post here; maybe someone else could be interested.
and maybe not. they waited way too late for this market. ebike sales are dropping rapidly. it does have a torque sensor but these bikes dont lend themselves to peddling.
fooferdoggie is offline  
Old 08-11-23, 11:23 AM
  #5  
shelbyfv
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 12,591
Liked 6,520 Times in 3,292 Posts
I think it's pretty cool and a smart move. 60 mile range, throttle, plus the ergonomics will suit most prospective buyers better than the bike-ish set ups. Brakes lights and turn signals just make sense.
shelbyfv is offline  
Likes For shelbyfv:
Old 08-11-23, 11:58 AM
  #6  
cat0020
Ride more, eat less
Thread Starter
 
cat0020's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Philla PA, Hoboken NJ, Brooklyn NY
Posts: 2,144

Bikes: Too many but never enough.

Liked 823 Times in 504 Posts
Originally Posted by fooferdoggie
and maybe not. they waited way too late for this market. ebike sales are dropping rapidly. it does have a torque sensor but these bikes dont lend themselves to peddling.
Maybe not to you, but I still do plenty of PEDALING when I ride my e-moped.
TREK may be late the the market, but if a big company like TREK is invested their resources to produce e-mopeds,
maybe their business office think there is plenty of market for TREK to tap into with their dealer base able to provide assembly & services.
That's an advantage over the other direct-to-consumer e-mopeds.
cat0020 is offline  
Likes For cat0020:
Old 08-11-23, 02:42 PM
  #7  
fooferdoggie 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,428
Liked 973 Times in 577 Posts
Originally Posted by cat0020
Maybe not to you, but I still do plenty of PEDALING when I ride my e-moped.
TREK may be late the the market, but if a big company like TREK is invested their resources to produce e-mopeds,
maybe their business office think there is plenty of market for TREK to tap into with their dealer base able to provide assembly & services.
That's an advantage over the other direct-to-consumer e-mopeds.
most people I see riding them dont peddle. who knows? bike companies are having huge sales because sales are drying up.
but at least this bike is serviceable and you wont have to worry about getting parts.
fooferdoggie is offline  
Old 08-11-23, 02:55 PM
  #8  
cat0020
Ride more, eat less
Thread Starter
 
cat0020's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Philla PA, Hoboken NJ, Brooklyn NY
Posts: 2,144

Bikes: Too many but never enough.

Liked 823 Times in 504 Posts
Originally Posted by fooferdoggie
most people I see riding them dont peddle. who knows? bike companies are having huge sales because sales are drying up.
but at least this bike is serviceable and you wont have to worry about getting parts.
If you call yourself a cyclist, please know the difference between pedal & peddle.
cat0020 is offline  
Old 08-11-23, 02:57 PM
  #9  
fooferdoggie 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,428
Liked 973 Times in 577 Posts
Originally Posted by cat0020
If you call yourself a cyclist, please know the difference between pedal & peddle.
there you go find the important things in a post.
fooferdoggie is offline  
Likes For fooferdoggie:
Old 08-11-23, 04:05 PM
  #10  
Robert C
Senior Member
 
Robert C's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Kansas
Posts: 2,251

Bikes: This list got too long: several ‘bents, an urban utility e-bike, and a dahon D7 that my daughter has absconded with.

Liked 67 Times in 49 Posts
Keep in mind that the definition of "Moped" varies by state. While I am sure you did your research to determine that these fall under the definition of "Moped" in your state, it may not be the same for residents of other states. You should also be aware that mopeds generally have licensing and insurance requirements VIN numbers, titles, certificates of origin and the like, again depending on the actual state.

I am sure that you did your research. There is no way you would use the word "moped" to describe something that is not a moped.

Of course, the article is quite clear that this is an eBike:
The 78 lb (35 kg) Class 3 e-bike can hit speeds of up to 20 mph (32 km/h) on throttle-only control, or even higher speeds of up to 26 mph (42 km) in pedal assist.
Further, on the Trek site, they do not market it as a Moped. Yes, I realize that the title of the article does use the word, "Moped." However, it falls on the reader to read beyond the title.

Last edited by Robert C; 08-11-23 at 04:10 PM.
Robert C is offline  
Likes For Robert C:
Old 08-11-23, 05:13 PM
  #11  
shelbyfv
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 12,591
Liked 6,520 Times in 3,292 Posts
Originally Posted by Robert C
Keep in mind that the definition of "Moped" varies by state.
Interesting! I've always heard it used as a generic term for something with both a motor and pedals. Gonna have to Google and catch up on that.
shelbyfv is offline  
Old 08-11-23, 08:26 PM
  #12  
cat0020
Ride more, eat less
Thread Starter
 
cat0020's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Philla PA, Hoboken NJ, Brooklyn NY
Posts: 2,144

Bikes: Too many but never enough.

Liked 823 Times in 504 Posts
Title of the article is:
Trek launches its first throttle-controlled electric moped, fits two riders.

Regardless of legal designation, two wheels, electric motor, functional pedals that propel the bike; that's close enough.
cat0020 is offline  
Likes For cat0020:
Old 08-12-23, 07:15 AM
  #13  
2old
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: socal
Posts: 4,466

Bikes: DIY

Liked 962 Times in 724 Posts
Originally Posted by Robert C
Keep in mind that the definition of "Moped" varies by state. While I am sure you did your research to determine that these fall under the definition of "Moped" in your state, it may not be the same for residents of other states. You should also be aware that mopeds generally have licensing and insurance requirements VIN numbers, titles, certificates of origin and the like, again depending on the actual state.

I am sure that you did your research. There is no way you would use the word "moped" to describe something that is not a moped.

Of course, the article is quite clear that this is an eBike:


Further, on the Trek site, they do not market it as a Moped. Yes, I realize that the title of the article does use the word, "Moped." However, it falls on the reader to read beyond the title.
You're correct. In CA and more than half the US, the Class system defines bicycles. Basically there are three classes, and these are considered the same as bicycles BY LAW: 750w max power, and Class 1: 20 mph max PAS only, Class 2: 20 mph PAS or throttle and Class 3: 28 mph PAS only. Mopeds were mostly governed out of existence here.
2old is offline  
Old 08-12-23, 07:22 AM
  #14  
2old
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: socal
Posts: 4,466

Bikes: DIY

Liked 962 Times in 724 Posts
Originally Posted by shelbyfv
Interesting! I've always heard it used as a generic term for something with both a motor and pedals. Gonna have to Google and catch up on that.
In CA, you need to be 16, have a motorcycle driver's license, have a license plate, as well as other considerations to ride a moped. They were legislated out of existence mostly.
2old is offline  
Old 08-12-23, 07:28 AM
  #15  
cat0020
Ride more, eat less
Thread Starter
 
cat0020's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Philla PA, Hoboken NJ, Brooklyn NY
Posts: 2,144

Bikes: Too many but never enough.

Liked 823 Times in 504 Posts
Originally Posted by 2old
You're correct. In CA and more than half the US, the Class system defines bicycles. Basically there are three classes, and these are considered the same as bicycles BY LAW: 750w max power, and Class 1: 20 mph max PAS only, Class 2: 20 mph PAS or throttle and Class 3: 28 mph PAS only. Mopeds were mostly governed out of existence here.
Originally Posted by 2old
In CA, you need to be 16, have a motorcycle driver's license, have a license plate, as well as other considerations to ride a moped. They were legislated out of existence mostly.
Because majority of the world should go by the definition of moped or ebike in CA and follow the laws CA legislation rule for the roads.

Last edited by cat0020; 08-12-23 at 07:35 AM.
cat0020 is offline  
Old 08-12-23, 07:29 AM
  #16  
shelbyfv
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 12,591
Liked 6,520 Times in 3,292 Posts
Trek says these are class 3 but they also have a throttle up to 20 mph. Throttles really help smooth starts, especially useful in traffic. It seems silly that they aren't standard on all motor bikes.
shelbyfv is offline  
Old 08-12-23, 07:52 AM
  #17  
unterhausen
Randomhead
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,984
Liked 4,103 Times in 2,791 Posts
California has the standard definitions for I,II,III ebikes. They are somewhat unusual in that they still have a law about mopeds. I think in other states they are just electric motorcycles. In fact, I'm not sure there is a distinction between mopeds and motorcycles in California law either.
unterhausen is offline  
Old 08-12-23, 09:09 AM
  #18  
Robert C
Senior Member
 
Robert C's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Kansas
Posts: 2,251

Bikes: This list got too long: several ‘bents, an urban utility e-bike, and a dahon D7 that my daughter has absconded with.

Liked 67 Times in 49 Posts
Originally Posted by shelbyfv
Interesting! I've always heard it used as a generic term for something with both a motor and pedals. Gonna have to Google and catch up on that.
That is why I sometimes pop into these threads and make comments like that, and they are made in good spirits; I am glad you took it as such.

We, and by that I mean the cycling community, need to be careful in the use of the word "moped." As was pointed out, mopeds were all but legislated out of existence. At that point, the states realized they had made a bit of a mistake, but the damage was done, the moped boom was over.

I realize a lot here say various forms of "good riddance." After all, the mopeds of the moped boom in the 70s' and early 80s' were almost universally two-stroke engines, with their characteristic trail of blue smoke. However, it is reasonable to assume that, like so many other small motors, if their popularity had not been squashed by legislative action, they would have evolved into cleaner offerings. We can only guess, as it never happened. California started, and then other states followed, treating mopeds as a special case of motorcycles instead of a special case of bicycles; my moped had a bicycle license instead of a motor vehicle license.

With that, mopeds were over. Yes, there are still mopeds. There are even forums devoted to them. However, it is nothing like the moped boom.

Still, some say "good riddance" because they envision people riding their push-bikes(definition at the bottom) rather than assisted, or in the case of mopeds, motorized, conveyances. However, we all know the truth, people did not move from mopeds to push-bikes in any large numbers, they returned to driving cars. In my case, I got a regular motorcycle, which had significantly better performance.

We still live with the vestiges of moped regulations with our eBikes. It explains where the, seemingly arbitrary, 28mph limit comes from. Even during the moped boom, mopeds were generally limited to a maximum speed of 30mph. It makes sense that a relatively lightly regulated conveyance, of eBikes, would not be permitted the same performance envelope of much more strictly regulated conveyances. Right or wrong, that stuck us with 28mph.

Ultimately, I fear, and expect, that Ebikes will go the way of the moped. They will eventually be so strictly regulated that they no longer make practical sense as a practical conveyance. Some, for a wide variety of reasons, wish to hurry the demise of the eBike. Others, like myself, want to slow, or halt, the demise of the eBike.

One thing we can do is to stop referring to eBikes, with their lower regulatory hurdle, as mopeds, with their higher regulatory hurdle.



Noun
pushbike (plural pushbikes)

  1. (Australia, New Zealand, UK, informal) A pedal bicycle, as distinguished from a motorized bicycle.
Robert C is offline  
Likes For Robert C:
Old 08-12-23, 08:23 PM
  #19  
2old
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: socal
Posts: 4,466

Bikes: DIY

Liked 962 Times in 724 Posts
Originally Posted by unterhausen
California has the standard definitions for I,II,III ebikes. They are somewhat unusual in that they still have a law about mopeds. I think in other states they are just electric motorcycles. In fact, I'm not sure there is a distinction between mopeds and motorcycles in California law either.
I don't know all the CA rules, but mopeds and mc's differ in that you don't need insurance for mopeds and only need to get the license plate once (not a yearly cost).

Last edited by 2old; 08-12-23 at 08:26 PM.
2old is offline  
Old 08-12-23, 08:58 PM
  #20  
Robert C
Senior Member
 
Robert C's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Kansas
Posts: 2,251

Bikes: This list got too long: several ‘bents, an urban utility e-bike, and a dahon D7 that my daughter has absconded with.

Liked 67 Times in 49 Posts
Originally Posted by 2old
I don't know all the CA rules, but mopeds and mc's differ in that you don't need insurance for mopeds and only need to get the license plate once (not a yearly cost).
Yes, in California they realized that they had effectively destroyed a class of vehicles that were reducing congestion by presenting a real alternative to driving everywhere in private automobiles. As such, a lot of the regulations were backed away from, but it was too late, they had already done the damage.

One example is that they made it very easy to get a moped license plate. But that was after. I looked up a few other states where I had lived while writing this. Half of them still require motorcycle driver's licenses to operate a moped. If a person is going to go through that much trouble, they are going to get a motorcycle, not a moped (yes, there are always a small number of exceptions. As a person who took part in the moped boom, I assure you that the one or two mopeds seen in a year do not compare to the ubiquity of the moped in those peak years. But yes, there has been a relaxation of the anti-moped laws.

My concern remains that the same will happen to the eBikes.
Robert C is offline  
Likes For Robert C:
Old 08-12-23, 09:25 PM
  #21  
2old
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: socal
Posts: 4,466

Bikes: DIY

Liked 962 Times in 724 Posts
I have a friend who had a thriving moped business that went up in smoke. Welcome back to the forum, and I wish you dropped by more frequently.
2old is offline  
Likes For 2old:
Old 08-13-23, 10:12 AM
  #22  
cat0020
Ride more, eat less
Thread Starter
 
cat0020's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Philla PA, Hoboken NJ, Brooklyn NY
Posts: 2,144

Bikes: Too many but never enough.

Liked 823 Times in 504 Posts
Originally Posted by 2old
I have a friend who had a thriving moped business that went up in smoke. Welcome back to the forum, and I wish you dropped by more frequently.
What was the business name? Where was it located?
How long ago did the business thrive and what was the duration?
What was the volume of the business to be considered "thriving"?

Education is more important than legislation.
People need to be educated of the rules of the road or wherever they ride their bikes.
People need to be educated the danger to themselves and others when they operate their bike, ebikes, e-scooter, e-mopeds or any other vehicle on public roads.

Personally, I think licensing is not the right approach.
In many countries around the world, education at schools about traffic safety & laws are taught from childhood all the way to high school.
Cycling is a major part of that education that should be taught like a life long skill that everyone should know, as swimming.. or maybe even math.
I feel that in America, most drivers think bicycles & motorcycles don't belong on public roads, which is a mentality that's been imbedded across decades of car culture and cheap oil in America.

Meanwhile, parents should also be held accountable when their child is caught breaking traffic laws, causing accidents on high-seed e-bikes.
If they can afford high cost, high speed e-bikes to for their children, they can also afford higher (x5 or x10) auto insurance premiums.

Regardless of laws & rules or restrictions on vehicles, people who want to ride fast will always find ways to do it, because it is fun.
But at least when they are educated of the danger they present to themselves & others; maybe they would re-evaluate before taking too much risk (or breaking too many laws) while riding.
cat0020 is offline  
Old 09-13-23, 07:55 AM
  #23  
cat0020
Ride more, eat less
Thread Starter
 
cat0020's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Philla PA, Hoboken NJ, Brooklyn NY
Posts: 2,144

Bikes: Too many but never enough.

Liked 823 Times in 504 Posts
https://electrek.co/2023/09/11/pave-...he-blockchain/

cat0020 is offline  
Old 09-13-23, 09:24 PM
  #24  
CrimsonEclipse
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,396
Liked 1,016 Times in 614 Posts
Take a good look at the trek eBike.
Now take off the motor and batteries.

Would you normally ride this bike, unpowered, for any considerable distance?
If not, then it isn't a bike.

It's a motorcycle with pedals and the pedals are vestigial limbs to comply with old timey laws.
CrimsonEclipse is offline  
Likes For CrimsonEclipse:
Old 09-14-23, 05:41 AM
  #25  
cat0020
Ride more, eat less
Thread Starter
 
cat0020's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Philla PA, Hoboken NJ, Brooklyn NY
Posts: 2,144

Bikes: Too many but never enough.

Liked 823 Times in 504 Posts
Originally Posted by CrimsonEclipse
Take a good look at the trek eBike.
Now take off the motor and batteries.

Would you normally ride this bike, unpowered, for any considerable distance?
If not, then it isn't a bike.
Same applies to any e-bike, do you have anything to contribute to the topic?
If it's got two wheels and functional pedals, it's a bike.

Originally Posted by CrimsonEclipse
It's a motorcycle with pedals and the pedals are vestigial limbs to comply with old timey laws.
Regardless of the laws, regulations or limits set from factory, there are those who will always want to go faster than the machine is designated or regulated to do so.
Do you comply to speed limits ALL THE TIME while on public roads? I know I don't and I know most people don't, regardless what vehicle they operate.
cat0020 is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.