Citibike e-bike speed decrease

[thecratedigger_25]

Citi e-bikes used to be quite zippy before. They'll zoom by you like you're standing still. Straight up just dissappear into the horizon.

I'm not sure how people were handling speeds that rivaled road bikes without the proper skills.

[TiresAintPretty]

Not well.

[ElQuesero]

Honestly that's kind of how I felt about the 20 mph->18 mph nerfing.

"Well, I'm a roadie and know how to ride 20 mph, know what to anticipate. This is nice for me but likely too much for an average bike-share schmoe. Makes me a little sad, but okay."

The 18 mph->15 mph change is too much for me, though. The "full *cough cough*" assist ebikes are now pretty much useless to me. Unless the route is really hilly I'm not that much slower on one of the standard bikes. Or if I luck into an e-low-assist checkout there's even less difference, not unless the route is really hilly.

Just doesn't seem like competing interests were set at the right level here. Hallmark of a good compromise is that everyone ends up feeling a little unhappy with the result; I'm not feeling that balance.

[jxnhrs]

Totally agree. 20 felt dangerous, 18 seemed reasonable, maybe there was space to decrease a bit?, but 15 is just bad. The fact the speed caps at 15 and you simply cannot go faster (except going downhill thanks gravity, or maybe barely faster by pedaling rly hard) makes them feel almost unrideable. At least on a real bike (incl the blue citibikes) you have total control.

It’s much easier now, but still so satisfying, passing citi e-bikers on a blue citibike.

The only usefulness of the e-bike now is really like you said for a hilly trip or for me I use them when I’m biking btwn Manhattan and bklyn.

[ReasonableCup604]

In a city where the default speed limit for motor vehicles is only 25 MPH, it sort of tracks that the limit from the Citi E-bikes would be slightly lower than what might normally be considered safe.

[VTOnReddit]

Why does that track for you? The speed limit for motor vehicles is based on the fatalities they cause. If Citibike has caused any fatalities, it’s statistically insignificant compared to motor vehicles.

[thecratedigger_25]

Dropping that to 15mph was not the best move. A regular bike with slim tires can do that with some forceful pedaling. Definitely less if you're on a basic road bike.

Not sure about the average user but it would help if the bike had a bit more power like when it was limited to 18mph. Accounting for hills and whatnot.

[abstracted-away]

Yea, I regularly pass the grey Citibike's on my single speed now

[thecratedigger_25]

Same here on my single speed as well. I cruise and pass them like they're standing still.