this post was submitted on 20 Feb 2026
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F = m * a
Mopeds are at minimum 2-3 times heavier than electric bikes, making them 2-3 times more dangerous since they have 2-3 times more force, without taking speed into account at all. Taking speed into consideration, class 1 and 2 e-bikes top out at 20 mph, while a 50cc moped (based on some preliminary searching, someone please correct me here) tops out at 30 mph, multiplying the force by 1.5x in comparison.
For velocity you want kinetic energy .5(mass*V^2)
That’s why braking distance scales exponentially with velocity. 30 vs 20 mph is over twice the energy at the same mass.
Tell that to the people run over or nearly hit by reckless ebike riders in the pedestrian shopping zone.
Do you think they would rather be hit by a moped??
Mopeds are easily identified as they have tags, so they don't dare to drive in the pedestrian zone.
I think they'd rather not be hit at all.