The number of electric bicycles in Israel has increased significantly in recent years and today it is no longer possible to walk on a sidewalk without encountering them. Despite the ecological and economic advantages, the bicycle brings with it a long list of disadvantages and it's time to point them out clearly
Bicycles have always been a recommended means of transportation from an ecological and economic point of view. The state encourages the switch to bicycles to avoid traffic jams and congestion on the roads, environmental organizations help choose bicycles for users of a wide age range, and certain local municipalities also make appreciable efforts in establishing dedicated travel infrastructures.
On the other hand, the electric bike played the cards again and was revealed to be a cheap solution that could be very expensive. They do save a lot of money on fuel expenses and do not require any type of maintenance, but at the same time they also bring with them a long list of disadvantages and dangers.
What is the danger caused by the electric bike?
The main problem with electric bikes is safety. The legal limit to ride an electric bicycle from the age of 16 only and only with a helmet is hardly enforced in Israel, and the resulting situation borders on chaos: today it is already difficult to impossible to walk on the sidewalk of a large city without risking a head-on collision with electric bicycle riders. They are everywhere, driving without taking any kind of precautions and most of them are not at all aware of the driving rules.
The danger is posed both to pedestrians and to the riders of the electric bicycles themselves. The law requires them to drive on the road, but does not assign them designated paths. Even in places where there are already paths that can be suitable for cycling, they end unexpectedly or mix with normal pedestrian sidewalks. Car drivers don't always see cyclists in their mirrors, merging into busy traffic causes many accidents and the new engine sizes increase the risk of serious injuries and, God forbid, deaths.
Unsuitability for winter and lack of insurance
The disadvantages of electric bikes are especially noticeable in winter. It is impossible to drive on them in bad weather conditions or on rainy days. This does not prevent some cyclists from getting on the road, but in practice they endanger both themselves and the environment. Unlike scooter and motorcycle riders who are prepared for this type of weather conditions, electric bikes are not capable and of course should not handle the load.
Besides, drivers are obliged to purchase Comprehensive car insurance policy and mandatory insurance that will protect them in the event of an accident. On the other hand, with bicycles there is no necessity to do this and their owners find themselves without any kind of financial support. Most of them are not aware of the physical and financial damage they face and even the parents do not always show involvement. The lack of insurance is in itself a danger to the public and may cause grief to pedestrians and people who have just been hit by the bicycle, even if they themselves have not sinned in anything.
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