Active Travel to Work

[James Blonde]

I see the big car park at Summerland is still there so I've been thinking of options for parking there and commuting along the Prom Walkway. 

Does anyone know what the rules are about electric bikes and maybe those small electric scooters you can get? 

[The Phantom]

Not sure how they class the Prom.  

The problem here with the e-scooters is that they are stuck in a Catch 22.  As they are powered, you're not allowed them on pavements.  But you can't tax and insure them, so you're not allowed them on the road.  So officially, you can only use them on private land.  However, I think if it was just for the Prom and not on the roads/pavement, then you'd probably get away with it. 

For e-bikes, if they're pedal assist (i.e. you still need to pedal them, but it gives you a boost) then you can use them on the roads.  Most of them are like this nowadays.  In theory as they're a bike and you're a grown-up you're not allowed to use them on a pavement.  Some generally older versions effectively have a throttle and will zoom you about without pedaling - these would come under the whole e-scooter issue noted above. 

[opusManx]

.

Edited January 13, 2022 by opusManx

[The Phantom]

Last year Gov ran a consultation on it:

https://consult.gov.im/infrastructure/electric-bicycle-and-scooter-draft-policy-proposal/

This is the draft legislation.

https://consult.gov.im/infrastructure/electric-bicycle-and-scooter-draft-policy-proposal/supporting_documents/EBike Escooter Policy Proposal.pdf?bcs-agent-scanner=620f6ebf-94f5-504b-b07e-c8e53780cd43

Although based upon the cannabis consultation (where basically everyone was in favour and nothing at all has happened), then who knows what will happen with the above.  It was probably just an exercise to keep someone busy during work experience as seems to be the case with most of these things unfortunately. 

E-Scooters are completely unregulated here.  Therefore effectively banned although I have seen a couple of them buzzing about.  I'd like to think common sense would prevail and you'd be ok with them on the Prom or other cycleways.

E-bicycles are basically limited to 15mph with the assist.  Not to say you can't have a tinker with it after purchase and get them chipped etc though. 

[The Phantom]

On 1/3/2022 at 9:30 PM, James Blonde said:

I see the big car park at Summerland is still there so I've been thinking of options for parking there and commuting along the Prom Walkway. 

Does anyone know what the rules are about electric bikes and maybe those small electric scooters you can get? 

Another thought... you might be able to get an e-bike through the Cycle to Work scheme if your company participates?

[ellanvannin2010]

On 1/3/2022 at 9:30 PM, James Blonde said:

I see the big car park at Summerland is still there so I've been thinking of options for parking there and commuting along the Prom Walkway. 

Does anyone know what the rules are about electric bikes and maybe those small electric scooters you can get? 

Or your could park and get the horse tram, you know it makes sense😁

[James Blonde]

16 hours ago, ellanvannin2010 said:

Or your could park and get the horse tram, you know it makes sense😁

[AcousticallyChallenged]

On 1/4/2022 at 3:47 PM, The Phantom said:

E-Scooters are completely unregulated here.  Therefore effectively banned although I have seen a couple of them buzzing about.  I'd like to think common sense would prevail and you'd be ok with them on the Prom or other cycleways.

E-bicycles are basically limited to 15mph with the assist.  Not to say you can't have a tinker with it after purchase and get them chipped etc though. 

One of Bosch's approaches to anti-tampering is quite interesting.

Basically, if it detects tampering, it'll log a fault code that can only be cleared by either a sheepish trip to a Bosch dealer, or, by cycling the bike without any power assist for 90 minutes.

The bike figures this out by looking at how much assist it has been providing over the last however many hours, it's a bit of a cat and mouse game.

[The Phantom]

On 1/8/2022 at 8:14 PM, AcousticallyChallenged said:

One of Bosch's approaches to anti-tampering is quite interesting.

Basically, if it detects tampering, it'll log a fault code that can only be cleared by either a sheepish trip to a Bosch dealer, or, by cycling the bike without any power assist for 90 minutes.

The bike figures this out by looking at how much assist it has been providing over the last however many hours, it's a bit of a cat and mouse game.

Fun killing bastards! 

I've not gone to the darkside yet (it's inevitable) but a couple of mates have.  One has tinkered with his, tweaked software download, did something to the speedo sensor and also a larger chainring.  The thing bloody flies - it still 'assists' up to around 30mph!   With the aid of a couple of inner tubes, I've had him tow me up some hills before! 

[Passing Time]

5 hours ago, The Phantom said:

Fun killing bastards! 

I've not gone to the darkside yet (it's inevitable) but a couple of mates have.  One has tinkered with his, tweaked software download, did something to the speedo sensor and also a larger chainring.  The thing bloody flies - it still 'assists' up to around 30mph!   With the aid of a couple of inner tubes, I've had him tow me up some hills before! 

All very well "flying" but the problems occur with sudden stops...

[The Phantom]

5 minutes ago, Passing Time said:

All very well "flying" but the problems occur with sudden stops...

Indeed.  Speed doesn't kill.  It's stopping suddenly. 

[opusManx]

.

Edited January 13, 2022 by opusManx