On May 15, 2008, at 11:09 AM, Robbie Webber wrote:
At what point do we draw the line? What is too much motor,
too loud, too fast, too stinky?
In some countries where motorized bikes are allowed on bike paths, a
power limit is imposed, typically about 1/4 horsepower. This is far
less than the typical moped, but within the range of some of those
terribly noisy "add-on" gasoline engines and stand-up scooters.
(It's also the power required to pedal a conventional bike at about
22 mph.)
Even with a low power limit and a total ban on gasoline engines, I'd
really rather we didn't start down the slope of allowing motorized
vehicles on bike/pedestrian paths. I would make exception, of
course, for those with genuine handicaps, perhaps with some kind of
permit requirement, as there is for handicap parking. Motorized
wheelchairs and mobility scooters are permitted on Madison's bike
paths, and I'm not aware of any abuses, but that may be because these
devices are much more expensive than motorized bikes.
Here's what can happen when things get out of hand:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2007-05-24-las-vegas-
scooters_N.htm
Scott Ellington
Madison, Wisconsin
USA
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