In the US, high-powered electric motorcycles are facing concerns and controversy over safety and regulation. In Brazil, the debate is growing: do these motorcycles represent the future of urban mobility or a potential danger? Authorities warn of risks and the lack of clear rules, while parents and young people are unaware of the legal limits. What will be the fate of these vehicles?
Technology has been revolutionizing the way we travel for some time now, but innovations are not always well received by authorities.
Recently, a decision by police forces in the United States has called into question the use of high-powered electric motorcycles, which are seen as a risk to both drivers and pedestrians.
And the most curious thing: this debate also has echoes in Brazil, where the increase in the use of electric motorcycles is leading to similar concerns.
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According to the Manhattan Beach Police Department (MBPD), located in Los Angeles County, the use of electric motorcycles such as models from the Sur Ron and Talaria brands is growing rapidly, especially among teenagers.
These bikes can exceed the power allowed for regulated electric bikes by up to five times and reach speeds far above safe limits. For this reason, the department has intensified inspections, including seizing these vehicles.
Motivations for repression
According to MBPD, these electric motorcycles pose significant safety risks to everyone on the roads.
The problem begins with the fact that many of these motorcycles are marketed as “electric bicycles”, misleading consumers.
However, unlike e-bikes, they do not have pedals and function more like small off-road motorcycles.
Inspection is also justified by the fact that these vehicles often do not have adequate registration or licensing to circulate on public roads.
The situation is made worse by the inappropriate use of this equipment by young people, often without a helmet or any protective equipment.
Reflection in Brazil
The scenario is not very different in Brazil, where the electric motorcycle market is also growing rapidly.
With models similar to those found in the United States, many Brazilians are adopting electric motorcycles due to the cost-benefit and exemption from taxes such as IPVA in some states.
However, the lack of clear regulation and adequate supervision has led to risky situations on the streets.
In Brazil, according to urban mobility experts, the popularization of these motorcycles also raises concerns about traffic safety.
“These vehicles need to be regulated to prevent accidents and ensure that everyone, drivers and pedestrians, are safe,” warns a traffic law expert.
Marketing strategies and disinformation
The situation in the United States also illustrates a global problem: the marketing of electric motorcycles.
Many companies promote these vehicles as electric bicycles to circumvent legal requirements and attract more consumers.
In practice, this leads to the purchase of products that do not comply with local legislation, generating confusion and, often, penalties.
This strategy also occurs in Brazil, where manufacturers and sellers promote electric motorcycles as exempt from regulations.
However, consumers are often unaware that they need specific licensing and qualifications to drive some of these models.
Safety problems
One of the main arguments of the authorities against the indiscriminate use of these motorcycles is safety.
In the United States, young people often drive these vehicles without any type of protective equipment. This increases the risk of serious accidents for both drivers and pedestrians.
In Brazil, the problem is even more critical. Many urban roads already suffer from disorderly traffic and a lack of adequate infrastructure, which increases the risk of accidents involving electric motorcycles.
Legislation under debate
In the United States, states like California have strengthened legislation to differentiate electric bicycles from electric motorcycles.
The aim is to ensure that only regulated vehicles can circulate on public roads. However, the implementation of the rules faces resistance, especially among young consumers.
In Brazil, the lack of specific legislation is a challenge. Although the National Traffic Council (Contran) has issued resolutions on electric bicycles, the same does not occur with electric motorcycles, creating a regulatory vacuum.
What is the future of electric motorcycles?
With technological advancement, it is inevitable that the use of electric motorcycles will continue to grow, both in the United States and in Brazil.
However, the lack of clear regulation and the absence of education on road safety can turn this innovation into a public safety problem.
Will governments and manufacturers be able to balance innovation and security, or will the population continue to face the risks of this regulatory vacuum?
What I have seen in some places I have been to, such as the beaches of Itapema, Camboriú and Florianópolis, is that drivers of electric motorcycles, including those with children riding them, are using the cycle paths along the coast and running over pedestrians without being bothered by the traffic authorities.