Bro my city hates me
Posted by GeorgeInpact@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 64 comments
I posted this
"Hey my neighbors, the name’s George. I’m 16 and go to Great Oak High School. My friend lives over 10 miles away from the school and it’s hard for our parents to get us to and from school by the time we need to be there. Because of this my friend and I ride ebikes. R002 to be exact. We stay in our lane. Ride carefully. We’ve been doing it since November and I have 1800+ miles. We started off not knowing everything. We made mistakes. Biking where we shouldn’t (I don’t know what it’s called but it's that grace room bikes get from flowing traffic). Biking parallel together. Talking when we should be paying attention to the road. Blasting music in our ears so we can’t hear anything around us. But we’ve both grown a lot since then. We stay in our lanes. We hear everything around us (while still listening to eminem at 7:00 in the morning to try and wake up lol). We focus on the road. We give traffic enough room to turn right (We really don't have to but we do it to be nice). We see the motorcyclist and envy them. If we were are at a red light we might joke and ask if we could join them. (We want motorcycles) We do things the way we're supposed to do. Yet we still get honked at galore. We get cursed at flipped off at. We get all of it. We both have been hit. (Very mild injuries). We’ve been through it all.
In my time spent in this community all I see is “Evil Ebikers” or “Ebiker does evil deeds” you know the drill. And I make this post to ask don’t put us all in that group. You know you drivers suck too. You guys make it hard for us. Coming into our bike lane. Acting like you own the road and bikelane. We’ve been hit by you guys with you at fault.
Sometimes I make mistakes. I may not see the light change immediately. I may try to get into the left turn too quickly. I may accidentally run the light cuz it changed right when I go down and I’m going 35 miles downhill and can’t stop in time. I ask that people who were just like me in November who are new to ebiking give them grace before you come posting and insulting us. I ask, when some kids do messed-up things on ebikes, you don’t label that as the entire teenage ebiking community. And most of all, you don’t own the road. You don’t get to honk at us just because you feel like it. You need to be careful when turning right and make sure those blinkers are on.
So yeah, thanks."
And now my entire town is calling me an arrogant little bitch (With a few gems helping me out and being honest ) and also saying everything I say is invalid because they're taking the running red light out of context.
So, my fellow ebikers, was I wrong? Is my statement valid?
TopRepulsive4766@reddit
Another response along another line for ya George:
Funny you should mention that you ride the TST R002. My neighbour just bought his son that exact ebike. Seems to be a decent bike for as little as it costs.
Now to the gist of this post: Become visible. This is what me and my 15-year-old son did:
That's my ebike. My son has the Aniioki A8 which has 20-inch tyres. And his LEDs are purple. Believe me when I say cars always notice us. I made the lights myself from Amazon items. Quite easy and less expensive than the premade ones. We attached our batteries to the hubs, but you can attach them to those mag 'spokes' just as easily.
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
Dude that AWESOME I would love to do this with my bike
TopRepulsive4766@reddit
Do you have a little time, a little money to spend on Amazon, some basic mechanical skills, and some patience? You can make them just as easily as I did.
If you're interested, reply to this post and I'll give you the complete details with links to the items, etc.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
While you acknowledge past mistakes, you paint your current behavior as beyond reproach while pointing fingers at motorists. Gee wonder why your lecture to those paying taxes to maintain the roads didn't go over so well.
If both of you were hit by at fault motorists, you should have filed police reports. What was the outcome?
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
We filed them we had the police come and everything both times. Ngl we were kinda joking around acting like we were arrested and shi cuz people couldn't keep their eyes off us lmao (2 teens with cops never is a good sign lmao) But thats how i get through tough shi like that joke my ass off and don't think about how i could have almost deid
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
And what was the outcome?
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
Nothing really we weren't hurt and our parents didn't want to deal with suing them
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
You left out the police findings. Im guessing because the police did not find them at fault. If they were at fault they would be facing charges outside of a civil lawsuit.
BassesNBikes@reddit
So you figure it's everyone else that's wrong.
Typical.
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
So you agree that all ebikers are arrogant little assholes?
BassesNBikes@reddit
That's not in your OP.
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
I said aragont little bitches but they say asshole
BassesNBikes@reddit
And there is no reference to anyone calling people operating legal e-bikes assholes. Just your neighbors calling you on your illegal electric minibike and arrogant little bitch.
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
Dammmmmmmmmmmmmmm i'm hurt
BassesNBikes@reddit
You did write several paragraphs about it.
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
I mean once you prove my bike is illegal then we can talk about it lol
BassesNBikes@reddit
TST did it for me:
"The TST R002 Moped-Style Electric Bike is a high-performance 1500W off-road electric bike built for adults and teens who want speed, comfort, and long-range rides. Equipped with a 48V 15-25Ah Lithium battery and durable 20x4.0” fat tires, it reaches a top speed of 32 MPH."
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
I mean this dosn't really prove a point but okayyyy good for you buddy. You win
BassesNBikes@reddit
California’s e-bike classifications
The California vehicle code defines e-bikes as: “[A] bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts.” It further breaks e-bikes into three categories, following a classification system created by PeopleForBikes that has been adopted in 40 states.
Because there is some variation in e-bike classification from state to state, an e-bike manufacturer may not specify an e-bike’s class on their website. You can determine the class by comparing the bike’s specifications to the information above or asking at the bike shop where you buy your e-bike.
Two-wheeled EVs in the gray area
Some electric, two-wheeled vehicles fall into a gray area between e-bikes and ZEMs. These bikes can be manufactured and sold in California but may not be street-legal under California e-bike regulations.
For example, at least one manufacturer markets their products as e-bikes but sells bikes with an “off-road” setting with a top speed listed as “28+ mph,” implying that the motor is capable of providing a boost above California’s top e-bike speed of 28 mph. Another brand doesn’t list the top speed or e-bike class on its website.
It’s unclear whether bikes like these qualify as e-bikes under California law, which states, in part: “On and after January 1, 2017, manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles shall apply a label that is permanently affixed, in a prominent location, to each electric bicycle. The label shall contain the classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage of the electric bicycle, and shall be printed in Arial font in at least 9-point type.”
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
cuz thats what there saying
YogurtclosetDull2380@reddit
I do too
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
Agree with them?
somesing@reddit
Yes. No one has a problem with people on e-bikes who aren’t being stupid so this is likely a you problem.
MC_Red_D@reddit
That's not true. There are plenty of people who have a problem with bikes and e-bikes that are riding legally just because they don't believe they should be on the same road with them and, according to many polls, see them as subhuman. I know this because they say so on many subs on this site alone.
Full-Part2427@reddit
People don't even know I have an ebike. How would anyone even know unless you're doing super human speeds?
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
Prob just ppl on the road in general WHILE there on the bike not just normal joes idk i don't know what hes talking about but still
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
That statement is not really true but okay
somesing@reddit
Try using one that’s not actually a moped and see how it goes.
MC_Red_D@reddit
Are you saying the r002 is a moped? Because it is definitely not.
somesing@reddit
The (copy/paste):
TST® R002 20'' 1500W Full Suspension Moped-style Electric Bike
Is definitely not a moped? Ok!
Super-Frame677@reddit
Super-Frame677@reddit
Nothing about this post has to do with what he rides, piss off if you have no valuable insight for OP. People like you are the problem with this sub. Read the sub description.
somesing@reddit
It usually does when people cry about these types of things, though. You also just don’t get it. OP also posted the type of bike he rides, that’s not on me.
Super-Frame677@reddit
It is on you for saying it's a moped. It's still an e-bike and it has nothing to do with his post. You're pointing out things that aren't really true nor are they relevant in the slightest.
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
This has nothing to do with what I ride
Super-Frame677@reddit
Yup, this guy is an example of one of the assholes in this sub.
somesing@reddit
There’s nuance, you just don’t get it yet.
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
is this an arg now 😭
TopRepulsive4766@reddit
Well George, you could come and live in my city. We are very tolerant of ebikes (and similar vehicles). We also have nice places to ride bikes and ebikes away from auto traffic. Even kids on Sur Rons with no pedals come and go as they please with no repercussions.
In some places teenagers are the butt of karens and prudes. It's something you have to endure. Ignoring the honking, jeering, or whatever is probably the best response. I know there is the temptation to flip em off or give a comeback. But that will probably only make the situation worse.
Sometimes though, it's beyond resisting. I am an adult with six boys and last summer I gave an annoying karen (male karen) a severe tongue lashing right in public. He was bitching about ebikes on the greenway (which is provided for pedestrians, bikes AND EBIKES legally).
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
Man count me in lol
Rodeo9@reddit
Just get a motorcycle? They’re the same price as surrons
Super-Frame677@reddit
When did he say he rides a motorcycle? My dude, he's riding a $700 ebike. Wanna go try to find a running, driving, and saftied motorcycle that's in good condition at that price?
Not everyone wants a motorcycle either. They're far heavier, more inconvenient, and obviously louder. You can take an e-bike pretty much anywhere a standard bicycle can go and not many will bat an eye.
Why are you even here if you don't understand the benefits of riding an e-bike?
Rodeo9@reddit
Because I ride an ebike? But I would be crazy to take it on anything other than 30 mph roads. I mostly mountain bike.
If trying to ride in any sort of multi lane traffic than motorcycle it is especially in a place like Temecula
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
Don't have my lisense nor the money yet, I wish tho
Full-Part2427@reddit
I agree with the others. Get a small motorcycle. You can get a 250cc bike cheaper than a surron.
Super-Frame677@reddit
OP is riding a $700 e-bike, when did he say he was going to buy a Surron or that he had money for that? I would like to know where you're reading this information that he never provided.
Also motorcycles are far heavier, more inconvenient, and obviously louder than an e-bike. You can also take e-bikes pretty much anywhere a regular bicycle can go and not many will bat an eye. Why are you here if you don't understand the huge benefits of e-bikes?
BodSmith54321@reddit
Trolling on Reddit. I’m shocked. Shocked.
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
No i'm dead ass
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
Did you hit enter too soon? Where is the rest of your sentence?
MikeysmilingK9@reddit
We don’t know you or what is missing from your story. According to those that know you are an ALB! Are you going to post this thread on the towns social media showing what complete strangers think and then expect them to remove your title? It’s not going to work out in the way you’d expect. It will just solidify the towns opinion of you.
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
whats an alb?
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
ik stupid qustion but i'm so confused on that
Ok_Armadillo_1336@reddit
You aren't doing yourself any favors with this statement:
"I may accidentally run the light cuz it changed right when I go down and I’m going 35 miles downhill and can’t stop in time."
Many non-bikers will see this situation as excessive (speed) and completely avoidable.
I don't really care, but I will say: if you're trying to win votes, the casualness and grammar of the post to your neighbors does not portray maturity.
Always wear a helmet! :-P
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
Riding a 92 pound bike with mechanical brakes at 35mph down a hill shows a serious lack of judgment.
Arcanum3000@reddit
And they'd be right, because it is. You're either not slowing down appropriately when the light turns yellow, or you're riding an unsafe vehicle that is incapable of stopping.
Super-Frame677@reddit
People are assholes. Unless there's something you're not telling us here, it sounds like you're doing everything right. People in cars are insane sometimes, and they seem to enjoy the fact that they could easily kill you if they wanted to. Just ride defensively, and assume that everyone is probably willing to run you over if it saves them a minute or two on their route.
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
Lmao sad but true thanks man
Super-Frame677@reddit
And some pathetic individuals in this sub might downvote you or/and insult you over the bike you ride too, since it's over the 750w limit in the US and they can't seem to grasp that all ebikers are welcome in this sub. I rarely bother posting in here for that reason, I just post in the smaller community r/hyperebikes since there's more sane people over there. Ride safe man, and have fun.
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
OP: https://www.reddit.com/r/Temecula/comments/1sjm8q0/give_us_ebikers_a_break/
dfarin153@reddit
I support what you are doing. You sound wiser but still embattled. I taught a high school road cycling class back in the day. Read Bicycling and the Law by Bob Mionske when you get a chance to check it out through your library. It will help you understand a lot.
Bike commuting off of the main drag can be a more pleasant experience if you can find alternative routes. Ride with GPS is a free navigation app to download and you can hit the Explore button to see heat maps of where cyclists frequently ride in your are. It might add a bit of time, but could be much more enjoyable. Especially at the end of your day when there may be less of a time crunch. I was able to ride through parks, on paved trails, and on quieter streets that offered lots of space.
Always remember, people often express their feelings and unmet needs in self defeating ways. It is not about you. So be like a duck and let it roll off of your back like water. You be you. Just smile and tell yourself that it is another great day to ride a bike!
unseenmover@reddit
drivers look and treat cyclists and ebikers like obstacles and a hinderance to them getting where they have to go. And sometimes they just fucking care that your there b/c theyre bigger than you and went push comes to shove youll back down. Thats the world you were born in and thats one of those lumps you gotta digest..
atlasraven@reddit
Us 'obstacles' should band together. We shouldn't put down people simply because they ride something different.
Chemical-Working-262@reddit
lmao bro fuck Temecula, such a weird ass gossipy town
GeorgeInpact@reddit (OP)
Bro must have personal beef