alt Hacker NewsWhy are they illegal in the first place? Obviously people see value in such devices. They don't ride them for the sake of riding them without getting caught.
They have great utility, with their power, weight and size. They can be fast for sure, but it's also not on the same level as even a 300cc motorbike either - should they really be put into the same basket? How can that be enveloped by law - if it really has to be - without taking their utility away?
If the law is too restrictive, current users won't bother following, since the enforcement is so rare.
The discussion really depends on which country we're talking about, but basically speed bikes are not illegal. They're just considered as moped, meaning a 50cc motorbike and have to respect all the rules mopeds are subject to, such as:
- Having a license plate and back mirror
- Be insured
- Wear a helmet (not a bike helmet, a moped/motorcycle helmet)
- Drive on the road, not on bike lanes
Nobody is arguing they're equivalent to a 300cc motorbike.