Why Electric Bikes are More Dangerous than Motorcycles
Why Hacker News recommends it
Cited repeatedly in e-bike threads as a well-argued safety counterpoint from someone who rides both.
What it is
FortNine argues that e-bikes have injury rates and speeds closer to motorcycles than to pedal bikes. It argues riders should treat them with similar safety gear and caution.
Recommended by 5 HN commenters across 6 different months, 2021 to 2025.
What Hacker News said
Recommends IgorPartola · 2021-08 · on “A DIY E-bike Conversion on the Cheap”
Before you get on one of these, it’s good to check your perspective on safety: [this video] As a motorcyclist, electric bicycles make me very nervous.
Recommends nickysielicki · 2021-11 · on “Reflections on E-Bikes”
Fortnine made an excellent argument against the safety of ebikes, worth watching as a rebuttal to this article: [this video]
Recommends porknubbins · 2022-04 · on “E-bike injuries on the rise even on well protected Dutch roads”
The youtube motorcycle channel Fort Nine makes a pretty good argument that the risks of ebikes are similar to those of motorcycles, and the riders typically have less protective gear. [this video]
Recommends thoms_a · 2022-06 · on “Reasons to tour by bicycle”
Came here to say this. Bicycling is absolute madness to me in any location that doesn't have dedicated separate bike paths. You are maximizing all possible sources of risk by riding a bicycle on shared roads. I've ridden motorcycles since I was 16, and everyone always sees me as the daredevil. Yet, I still think bicycle commuters are the true madmen. Zero protection, can't keep up with traffic, your very presence is a psychological irritant to motorists which causes them to wish you harm, etc. But don't take my word for it: [this video] My only advice to cyclists: put your bike on your car's bike rack, take to a bike path and enjoy. If you want to get on a road on two wheels, buy a motorcycle and
Recommends Animats · 2022-09 · on “The E-bike Is a Monstrosity”
"E-bikes’ identity crisis might seem like the symptom of a transition" The identity crisis is that they are electric motorcycles/mopeds pretending to be bicycles. Here's a good video on this by someone who has both an e-bike and a motorcycle.[1] He points out that for his commute in traffic, they get about the same performance. But on the motorcycle, he's more visible, has better protective gear, and has a lower center of gravity. The difference between a class I e-bike (20mph, no helmet required) and an electric motorcycle capable of 45 MPH is a switch. The trouble is, e-bikes with motorcycle speed capabilities lack motorcycle safety features. They're under-braked, under-tired, have crap su
Recommends Animats · 2025-07 · on “A list of changes to make it easier to build beautiful and walkable places”
That's a US definition pushed by the E-bike industry.[1] The EU has a completely different classification system.[2] Anything above a US class 1 e-bike comes with more restrictions. Good E-bike vs. Motorcycle discussion.[3] [1] [LINK] [2] [LINK] [3] [this video]
Cites dharmab · 2021-08 · on “Benefits of Not Using an IDE”
Motorcyling channel Fortnine did a video in depth on this topic: [this video] (They've also done some more motorized cycle and electric content lately. A recent video showed how to rebuild an old motorcycle's frame into an electric motorcycle using a kit.)
Cites Animats · 2021-09 · on “Trailerduck is a smart e-bike trailer”
Someone who is into both e-bikes and motorcycles has a good answer to this. He put an e-bike hub motor with a motorcycle-sized wheel on a motorcycle frame. The result has about the performance of a class 3 e-bike, but it's a better vehicle.[1] You sit lower, so the CG is lower, and if something goes wrong you tend to slide, not go over the handlebars. You have motorcycle-grade tires, brakes, and suspension, so the stopping distances are much shorter than with an e-bike. But you can't take the thing in a bike lane. And it requires a motorcycle license. [1] [this video]