Speed and convenience. Those are the two key factors driving the rapid growth in electric scooter usage in cities around the world. e scooters provide a fast, emission-free way to zip around congested urban areas while avoiding traffic jams. But with top speeds capped at around 15-20 mph, existing shared e scooter services still don’t fully match the convenience of cars for longer urban trips. That could soon change with the emergence of a new class of 30 mph e scooters.
These zippier “speed pedelecs” could truly revolutionize urban mobility, unlocking all of the benefits of micromobility for trips up to 5-10 miles. As 30 mph e scooters blur the line between traditional bicycles and mopeds, cities will need to re think regulations to tap into their potential. Read on to learn how faster electric scooters could transform transportation in cities everywhere.
The 15 MPH Limitation of Today’s Shared e Scooters
Shared electric scooter services from companies like Bird and Lime exploded onto city streets around 2015, propelled by sizable venture capital investments. These fleets of app-rentable scooters provide residents and visitors with an on-demand, affordable way to take short trips around dense urban neighborhoods. e scooters fill the gap between walking and public transit for jaunts under 2-3 miles.
But current shared e scooters have some key limitations that prevent them from becoming a true car alternative:
- Speed: Most shared e scooter models have top speeds of just 15-20 mph. This sluggish pace makes longer trips feel like a chore.
- Range: The small batteries used in shared scooters typically provide 15-30 miles of range. Longer trips will require inconvenient mid-trip charging.
- Safety concerns: Slow scooters mixing with urban traffic leads to increased risk of accidents. Faster speeds would allow riding with traffic.
- Sidewalk clutter: Slow-moving scooters on sidewalks create pedestrian hazards and congestion. Faster vehicles belong on roads.
- Trip replacement: Shared e scooters are great for short trips but can’t yet fully replace longer urban car trips up to 5-10 miles.
Faster, longer-range e scooters with motorcycle like capabilities could overcome these barriers to become a compelling urban transportation option.
Introducing Speed Pedelecs: 30 MPH e Scooters
A new vehicle class called speed pedelecs is poised to change urban transportation. Short for “speed pedal electric cycles”, these zippier scooters boast motors powerful enough to reach speeds of 30 mph or more. For comparison, traditional e bikes in the US are limited to 20 mph.
Speed pedelecs bridge the gap between e bikes and electric mopeds. With a turn of the throttle, riders can accelerate instantly to 30 mph and sustain high speeds with less effort. But because they retain pedals, speed pedelecs do not require a motorcycle license in many regions.
Other key attributes:
- Range of 30-60+ miles on a single charge
- Powerful 1000W+ motors
- Motorcycle like wheels, suspension, brakes
- Streamlined design for speed
- Built-in lighting and turn signals
These features allow speed pedelecs to keep pace with urban traffic, while their electric assist makes pedaling at speeds up to 30 mph much easier. Unlocking this 30 mph threshold is a complete game changer for urban transportation via e scooter.
The 30 MPH Advantage
What’s so special about 30 mph versus 20 mph? It may not seem like much, but an extra 10 mph of speed provides outsized benefits for e scooter utility:
- Trip distance: 30 mph enables 5-10 mile urban trips in reasonable time.
- Traffic integration: At 30 mph, e scooters can safely ride with cars instead of congesting sidewalks.
- Commute advantage: 30 mph keeps pace with or exceeds traffic speeds in congested cities.
- Trip replacement potential: 30 mph makes e scooters viable for most short-to-medium urban trips otherwise taken by car.
- Lower risk: Matching prevailing traffic speeds improves road safety.
30 mph unlocks e scooters as practical daily transportation, not just short-distance novelty. It’s easy to imagine how “hyper-scooters” reaching 30-40 mph could eventually replace most urban car trips up to 10 miles.
Current Generations of Speed Pedelecs
While not yet common, several speed pedelec models already hit 30 mph or beyond:
- Delfast Top 3.0 – A futuristic-looking commuter e bike with a top speed of 36 mph and a 60 mile range. Its motorcycle grade components allow confident acceleration, braking and stability at high speeds.
- Juiced HyperScorpion – A “moped on steroids” with a top speed of 30 mph, 35+ mile range, and motorcycle inspired design. Features include hydraulic brakes, adjustable suspension, and aggressive tires.
- Monday Motorbikes Gen7 – This speed pedelec packs a 35 mph top speed and 50 mile range. A motorcycle style seating position and fat tires make for a comfier ride.
- Ultramotor A2B Shima – A high end commuter speed pedelec with a 35 mph top speed. Sleek styling and integrated lights resemble a gas scooter. Up to 90 mile range.
- Super Soco TC Max – Style and substance come together in this 30 mph urban electric scooter. An eye catching design plus 40 mile range and a digital dash display.
These early models focus on speed, range, comfort and motorcycle like performance. As the market matures, expect models more specialized for shared fleets or cargo delivery.
Unlocking Speed Pedelecs for Shared Urban Mobility
While speed pedelecs show promise, regulated speed limits below 20 mph prevent their use in most urban shared mobility programs. Policy changes are needed to allow faster operation:
- Relaxed regulations – Municipalities should update laws to match EU standards allowing 30 mph pedelecs without license requirements. This will incentivize manufacturers to target this key market.
- New infrastructure – Cities must accommodate speed pedelecs on roadways. Bike lanes should be widened with 30+ mph design speeds in mind.
- Fleet deployment – Shared mobility companies should begin deploying faster scooter models optimized for higher speeds and utilization rates.
- Public awareness – Cities should educate that 30 mph e scooters are more akin to mopeds than toys. Safety training should be encouraged.
Unlocking the potential of these speedy two-wheelers will require updating policy, infrastructure, and public perception. But the benefits for traffic reduction, emissions cuts, and improved mobility access for all residents could be immense.
The Promise of Speed Pedelec Ridesharing Fleets
Shared electric mopeds already operate fleets in some cities, but their higher costs and licensing requirements limit adoption compared to kick scooters. Speed pedelecs could change that equation.
Imagine an urban residential neighborhood served by a fleet of 30 mph shared e scooters. Residents would enjoy:
- Quick access to “last mile” transit connections
- Seamless point-to-point trips around town
- Affordable on-demand mobility without car costs
- A way to avoid traffic and parking headaches
- Fun, environmentally friendly transportation
Now expand that vision to an entire city equipped with 30 mph speed pedelec fleets. The potential benefits are immense:
- Congestion reduction – Even modest decreases in car trips drastically cut congestion
- Emissions slashed – Replacing gas-powered trips with electric ones improves air quality
- Parking opened up – Less need for on-street parking and garages with fewer cars
- Noise reduction – Far quieter than gasoline engines
- Road safety boost – Accident risk decreases with fewer cars mixing with pedestrians and bikers
- Increased equity – Affordable on-demand transit access for all neighborhoods
Speed pedelecs must be permitted on roadways to unlock this potential. Their higher speeds prevent unsafe use on crowded sidewalks. Moving these quick scooters onto streets alongside cars will take progressive policies, upgraded infrastructure, and public education.
Key Steps Cities Should Take to Embrace Speed Pedelecs
To fully leverage faster shared e scooters, cities should take these steps:
- Update regulations – Allow speed pedelecs to use bike lanes and roads without license requirements. 30 mph is a reasonable speed limit matching traffic.
- Add infrastructure – Ensure roads have clearly marked, sufficiently wide bike lanes for safe mixing of bikes, e scooters and cars.
- Subsidize fleets – Provide incentives for operators to deploy speed pedelec ridesharing. Offer subsidies for low income riders.
- Adjust public expectations – Use campaigns to promote speed pedelecs as practical mobility devices, not just recreational toys.
- Enhance safety – Require training for first-time riders. Strictly enforce laws prohibiting scooter use on sidewalks and pedestrian plazas.
- Collect data & adjust – Closely monitor impacts on congestion, emissions, road safety, equity, and public opinion. Tweak policies and infrastructure as learnings emerge.
Adopting these progressive policies will position forward-looking cities to reap the benefits of the coming speed pedelec revolution in urban transportation.
Speed Pedelecs vs Traditional e Bikes: Key Differences
Speed pedelecs represent an evolution of electric bicycles optimized for higher sustained speeds. But what exactly sets them apart from traditional e bikes?
- Top speed – Pedelecs reach 30-40+ mph vs 15-20 mph for most e bikes. This allows integration with traffic.
- Motor power – More powerful 1000W+ motors provide instant acceleration up to 30 mph.
- Intended use – Optimized for sustained 30+ mph riding vs low-speed operation mixed with pedaling.
- Range – Longer 40-60+ mile range vs shorter 20-40 mile range on e bikes. Enables longer trips.
- Design – Aggressive motorcycle inspired styling with fat tires and high handlebars for stable handling at speed.
- Components – Higher grade brakes, suspension, lighting for high-performance demands.
- Licensing – Most regions do not require motorcycle license for speed pedelecs.
While e bikes continue to make sense for shorter mixed pedal/electric trips, speed pedelecs fulfill the need for quick electric personal mobility over longer distances.
Comparing Speed Pedelecs to Electric Mopeds and Motorcycles
Speed pedelecs have much in common with electric mopeds and motorcycles, but key differences make them distinct:
- Pedals – Pedelecs retain bicycle style pedals allowing human power assist. Mopeds and motorcycles lack pedals.
- Speed – 30-40 mph for pedelecs versus 45+ mph for many mopeds and motorcycles.
- Licensing – Most regions don’t require a license to operate pedelecs, but do for mopeds and motorcycles.
- Size and weight – Pedelecs have smaller frames and lighter weight than most sit-down mopeds and motorcycles.
- Safety – Pedelecs inherently encourage safer speeds and riding behavior without license requirements.
Think of speed pedelecs as just fast enough to be useful for most urban trips, but slow enough to retain their ease of use and inherent safety advantages.
Factors Driving the Emerging 30 MPH e Scooter Category
Several key trends are fueling the rise of faster shared e scooters:
- Urbanization – Growing city populations need space efficient, affordable mobility options.
- Traffic woes – Rising congestion makes fast-moving micromobility appealing.
- Climate urgency – Cities demand carbon-free transportation to hit emissions goals.
- Micromobility adoption – e scooter usage is soaring, priming users for speed pedelecs.
- Advancing technology – Motors, batteries and materials enable lightweight speed.
- Changing norms – Younger generations are more open to alternative transit options.
- New regulations – Some regions are relaxing rules to allow faster e scooters.
Collectively, these forces have set the stage for speed pedelecs to revolutionize urban transportation.
The Future of Speed Pedelecs
Speed pedelecs are just getting started transforming how people get around cities. Exciting innovations are likely in future generations:
- Even faster speeds approaching 50 mph
- Enhanced comfort and stability
- AI-powered safety features
- Lighter weights and miniaturization
- Self-driving technologies
- Extended range capabilities
- Cargo delivery modifications
- Customized for shared services
- Next-gen battery technologies
- Vehicle to-grid charging integration
- Mainstream cultural adoption
The e scooter revolution promises to accelerate in the coming decade as technical capabilities improve. Cities should prepare now to maximize the opportunities.
Last Words
Urban residents worldwide stand to benefit greatly by embracing speed pedelecs as part of shared, clean transportation systems. Unlocking the full potential of these zippy electric scooters requires updated regulations, infrastructure investment, and public education.
With progressive policies in place, residents could enjoy convenient door-to-door mobility speeds rivaling automobiles. Entire trips up to 5-10 miles could be completed via affordable, on-demand e scooter rental.
Searching for how do i find the escooter: city electric near me not only promises convenience in urban transportation but also aligns with the broader goal of reducing congestion, parking needs, and transportation emissions, fostering a shift towards carbon-free pedelecs that replace car trips, ensuring greater mobility for all.
The sustainable 30 mph mobility revolution has already begun in some regions. Forward-looking cities everywhere should take steps now to welcome the coming wave of speed pedelecs. Embracing fast, shared electric scooters as practical urban transit can help create a cleaner, safer, and more livable future. The potential societal benefits are simply too vast to ignore.
FAQs
What are speed pedelecs?
Speed pedelecs are a new class of souped-up electric scooters capable of reaching 30 mph or more. They bridge the gap between normal e bikes limited to 20 mph and full electric mopeds. The key advantages are higher sustained speeds comparable to urban traffic, motorcycle style components for stability and handling, and long electric range.
How do speed pedelecs differ from regular e bikes?
Speed pedelecs have much more powerful motors enabling faster speeds of 30-40+ mph versus 15-20 mph for most e bikes. They also have longer range, aggressive motorcycle inspired styling with fat tires and high handlebars, and upgraded brakes and suspension for the higher speeds.
Are speed pedelecs considered mopeds or motorcycles?
No, speed pedelecs are classified differently than mopeds or motorcycles in many regions because they retain bicycle style pedals. In the EU and some US states, 30 mph speed pedelecs can be used without a motorcycle license. However, licensing requirements vary by locality.
Where can you ride speed pedelecs?
Speed pedelecs are designed to be ridden on streets and bike lanes alongside regular traffic. At speeds of 30+ mph, they are too fast for sidewalks and trails meant for slower bikes and pedestrians. Cities will need to adjust infrastructure to accommodate speed pedelecs on roadways.
Are speed pedelecs safe?
Yes, speed pedelecs can actually improve road safety when used properly. Their higher speeds allow them to integrate with traffic flow instead of creating awkward slow-speed conflicts. However, riders must be responsible and take the necessary training. Cities should enforce laws prohibiting reckless riding.
How could speed pedelecs improve urban transportation?
By making sustainable shared mobility faster than driving for trips up to 5-10 miles, speed pedelecs could greatly reduce car trips in cities. This cuts down on congestion, emissions, noise, and parking needs while expanding transportation access. Speed pedelecs enable car-free mobility with added safety, cost savings and health benefits.
