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Why Electric Bikes are More Dangerous than Motorcycles

FortNine · commentary · Watch on YouTube

Cars, EVs & motorcyclesTransit, cities & urban planning

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.

Why Hacker News recommends it

Cited repeatedly in e-bike threads as a well-argued safety counterpoint from someone who rides both.

  • 5 people recommended it
  • 6 different months
  • 0 strong recommendations
  • first 2021, last 2025

What HN commenters said

  1. “Before you get on one of these, it’s good to check your perspective on safety”

    Safety perspective check before riding e-bikes.

    IgorPartola, 2021-08 · Recommendation · in “A DIY E-bike Conversion on the Cheap”

  2. “Fortnine made an excellent argument against the safety of ebikes, worth watching as a rebuttal to this article”

    Argues against e-bike safety.

    nickysielicki, 2021-11 · Recommendation · in “Reflections on E-Bikes”

  3. “makes a pretty good argument that the risks of ebikes are similar to those of motorcycles”

    Argues e-bike risks resemble motorcycles with less gear.

    porknubbins, 2022-04 · Recommendation · in “E-bike injuries on the rise even on well protected Dutch roads”

  4. “But don't take my word for it”

    Cited for the risks of cycling on shared roads.

    thoms_a, 2022-06 · Recommendation · in “Reasons to tour by bicycle”

  5. “Here's a good video on this by someone who has both an e-bike and a motorcycle.[1]”

    Compares commuting on an e-bike versus a motorcycle.

    Animats, 2022-09 · Recommendation · in “The E-bike Is a Monstrosity”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: e-bikes, motorcycles, road safety, injury rates, commuting

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