Electric skateboard

StereoSound

I want to import one of these from the US but don't know what the legality is with something like this on the streets here? It can hit 37 kph and has a 22 + kilometre range. It's pretty expensive but I have a few quid to spare and took an interest in one. I will commute to work and back on this no problem as well as recreation.

https://boostedboards.com/the-board/

Graham

This quote refers to self-balancing scooters but I'd expect the same to apply to the board in your link:

In short, self-balancing scooters are treated the same way as Segways and therefore prohibited from driving on both roads, footpaths and cycle lanes.
Self-balancing scooters fall under the category of mechanically propelled vehicles, which means the Garda Síochána has the last word on whether they’re allowed or not.
What about Ireland?

When asked about the laws surrounding self-balancing scooters, a garda spokesperson said under existing law, it’s illegal to use one on Irish roads or footpaths, but stated that the issue was “being kept under review by the Department of Transport in the context of our examination of sustainable modes of transport”.
There are exceptions to riding one in a public place, like Phoenix Park, although it comes with a number of requirements. For one, you must have a driver’s licence and have third-party insurance to cover potential injury or property damage, ensure it meets safety requirements and you must wear a helmet when operating one.

http://www.thejournal.ie/ireland-self-balancing-scooter-2382939-Oct2015/

StereoSound

Sorry Gard didn't know I needed a drivers licence for my skateboard..

I see people with electric bicycles in around the city centre every now and then so I'd love to talk to someone riding an electric bike to find out if they get hassle about them.

Graham

StereoSound wrote: »

Sorry Gard didn't know I needed a drivers licence for my skateboard..

Sorry judge, I didn't know you needed insurance so I'm unable to pay that judgment against me for hitting someone at 37kph.

More likely is you'd get a warning the first time you were spotted just before your €1000 purchase got relegated to spins around the back garden.

Interesting read here: http://irishcycle.com/2015/07/08/transport-minister-questioned-on-powerful-electric-bicycles/

magicbastarder

yeah, the first thing i thought of when you said it can do 37km/h was 'well, you won't be using that on the footpath so'.
a cyclist would need to be fit and sprinting to hit that speed. and they're certainly not allowed on the footpath.

schemingbohemia

StereoSound wrote: »

Sorry Gard didn't know I needed a drivers licence for my skateboard..

I see people with electric bicycles in around the city centre every now and then so I'd love to talk to someone riding an electric bike to find out if they get hassle about them.

E-Bicycles or Pedelecs are limited to 25km/h to be legal here, sounds like this skateboard would be a lot faster.

Orion

magicbastarder wrote: »

yeah, the first thing i thought of when you said it can do 37km/h was 'well, you won't be using that on the footpath so'.
a cyclist would need to be fit and sprinting to hit that speed. and they're certainly not allowed on the footpath.

schemingbohemia wrote: »

E-Bicycles or Pedelecs are limited to 25km/h to be legal here, sounds like this skateboard would be a lot faster.

They are? That's ludicrous - I average higher than that on the bike. 37km isn't that fast either depending on the road. I would be over 40kph on sections of the N4 without really trying. Celbridge Road in Maynooth I've hit 48kph (admittedly I was flat out at the time). And I'm far from the fittest cyclist around.

beauf

I think the point is its quite fast if they were to run into something or someone.

eeguy

Orion wrote: »

They are? That's ludicrous - I average higher than that on the bike. 37km isn't that fast either depending on the road. I would be over 40kph on sections of the N4 without really trying. Celbridge Road in Maynooth I've hit 48kph (admittedly I was flat out at the time). And I'm far from the fittest cyclist around.

Ebikes improve your cycling range by making it less tiring to pedal. They're not designed to improve your speed.

magicbastarder

Orion wrote: »

37km isn't that fast either depending on the road.

i'm happy with sustaining maybe 31km/h for more than few kilometres on the bike without a tailwind. and i'm not unfit.
this is completely ignoring the point though. 37km/h is most definitely not a speed for footpaths.

Orion

magicbastarder wrote: »

i'm happy with sustaining maybe 31km/h for more than few kilometres on the bike without a tailwind. and i'm not unfit.
this is completely ignoring the point though. 37km/h is most definitely not a speed for footpaths.

oh I absolutely agree with that - that's a road speed. My comment was about power assisted bikes which should not be on the path anyway - as for any bike.

Cookie_Monster

saw one of these whizz by in London recently (on the road), pretty cool and similar enough concept to the OP
https://onewheel.com/

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

Hi OP. Ive one of these pre ordered since may and it's due in December or possibly January 2017. You may get yours before next summer at the rate they're going... I asked the same question on legality and found no definite answer so I asked actual Garda. They're fine, but you can meet a prick of a garda... I was told if I see a garda just to kick the board... 9 out of 10 times no garda will suspect it's electric anyway as it just looks like a regular long board.

Graham

Hugh Mungus wrote: »

no garda will suspect it's electric anyway as it just looks like a regular long board.

I suspect a Garda may have an inkling when the OP glides by at 37km/h

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

Graham wrote: »

I suspect a Garda may have an inkling when the OP glides by at 37km/h

I think the key is to be sensible!

I forgot to add, don't expect to get a board for €1000, it's likely to be more than doible that delivered... IF it gets delivered. Board is roughly €1400 for the D+ model the one capable of 22mph... Customs charges are around €480 and could be more depending on what way the wind is blowing, shipping around €100...IF boosted can clear it for international shipping. They were having problems shipping their batteries and you can now thank Samsung and their exploding phones for an even longer delay.

Mine is still on pre order because I think it's worth the wait...BUT if I can get a V1 D+ on eBay and save the wait and huge cost I'll do that instead...

Clampdown

I skateboarded for many years and although these are designed different than a street board and have large wheels, it's really difficult to keep balance and control going very fast, look up 'speed wobbles'.

Especially considering how wet the surfaces tend to be here I'd wouldn't go anywhere near that speed. Also I don't see how you could be able to ollie up or down curbs or over obstacles on that shape, and I doubt it will propel you up a hill so I don't see it being any better than a normal board, 10-15x the price for something can only go in a straight line.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

It can go up 25% gradient not a problem.

To be fair skateboarding is not really suited to wet weather anyway so what's your point?

Id see this as a viable summer option...a very expensive one.

Actually...your whole post is VERY misinformed. You should look up their site...

Graham

Hugh Mungus wrote: »

It can go up 25% gradient not a problem.

To be fair skateboarding is not really suited to wet weather anyway so what's your point?

Id see this as a viable summer option...a very expensive one.

Actually...your whole post is VERY misinformed. You should look up their site...

OP was looking at this as a means of commuting.

Clampdown

Hugh Mungus wrote: »

It can go up 25% gradient not a problem.

To be fair skateboarding is not really suited to wet weather anyway so what's your point?

Id see this as a viable summer option...a very expensive one.

Actually...your whole post is VERY misinformed. You should look up their site...

Pfft, ive been skating for 20 years think I know a wee bit. You've never rode on of these or seen one in person so how informed can YOU be? Based on what I know from experience I'm skeptical about the usefulness of these very expensive, clunky looking, possibly illegal boards.

My point is exactly as you said, you can't skate in wet weather so why spend the cost of a used car on one? And a 25% incline is not a proper hill. So you'll still be walking up hills carrying the board and unable to use it in the rain. You can't ollie, either so you'll have to stop at any obstacle. Not worth 4 figures considering that IMO.

I have seen the site. Funny they don't have any videos of someone hitting a rock or crack in the ground at 37 mph, something that happens to all skaters eventually and will hurt you pretty bad at half that speed.

Mellor

Clampdown wrote: »

And a 25% incline is not a proper hill.

How do you figure that?

25% is probably steeper than any hill in the country.

ED E

Clampdown wrote: »

Pfft, ive been skating for 20 years think I know a wee bit. You've never rode on of these or seen one in person so how informed can YOU be? Based on what I know from experience I'm skeptical about the usefulness of these very expensive, clunky looking, possibly illegal boards.

My point is exactly as you said, you can't skate in wet weather so why spend the cost of a used car on one? And a 25% incline is not a proper hill. So you'll still be walking up hills carrying the board and unable to use it in the rain. You can't ollie, either so you'll have to stop at any obstacle. Not worth 4 figures considering that IMO.

I have seen the site. Funny they don't have any videos of someone hitting a rock or crack in the ground at 37 mph, something that happens to all skaters eventually and will hurt you pretty bad at half that speed.

You might wanna look up Casey Neistat on youtube. He rides one all weather through NY. Has bailed many times due to curbs/potholes but it tends to not be so serious. Never any broken bones.

ozmo

Watch any of Caseys Videos if you havn't seen them - boosted board looks awesome fun.

eg.
https://youtu.be/oJsPWnin6kk?t=8m55s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJsPWnin6kk

edit - spent too much time watching the above vids instead of posting and someone beat me to it - lol.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

Clampdown wrote: »

Pfft, ive been skating for 20 years think I know a wee bit. You've never rode on of these or seen one in person so how informed can YOU be? Based on what I know from experience I'm skeptical about the usefulness of these very expensive, clunky looking, possibly illegal boards.

From your experience of electric boards is it? Because that's what we're talking about here.

Normally I would't reply to someone who starts their post with "pfft" but your post actually annoyed me because of how much you're assuming and how much you're talking out of your backside.

I have ridden a boosted board AND other electric boards and it's great. It's what made me want one so bad.

You're skeptical to the usefulness of the board? You mean you're skeptical of an electric vehichle that charges in an hour and gives you SEVEN miles range (by the way theres an extended battery coming next year that doubles your range...and its free) Clunky? - They're electric f*cking skateboards of course they're clunkier than a normal board. Christ.

Illegal? How. Show me how they're illegal please.

Clampdown wrote: »

My point is exactly as you said, you can't skate in wet weather so why spend the cost of a used car on one? And a 25% incline is not a proper hill. So you'll still be walking up hills carrying the board and unable to use it in the rain. You can't ollie, either so you'll have to stop at any obstacle. Not worth 4 figures considering that IMO.

What it's "worth" is irrelevant. 2k to me could be more than what 2k is worth to you.

You can't really skate a normal board in wet weather either... Their own website promotes it as a "last mile vehicle" - It's plastered all over their site. Of course people in countries with better weather are using them as their main daily commuter. By the way the new board is now waterproof too, so you could ride it in the wet if you so wish.

A 25% incline is f*cking huge. I don't think you know what a 25% incline is, so yeah it's a "proper hill".

Stopping at any obstacle? It's a skateboard. Do you expect it to fly or something?

Clampdown wrote: »

Funny they don't have any videos of someone hitting a rock or crack in the ground at 37 mph, something that happens to all skaters eventually and will hurt you pretty bad at half that speed.

I know yeah, its mental how the sellers don't have a video of someone face planting themselves at 37kph on their home page isn't it? Crazy.

That's like saying why don't Ferrari have a video of someone smashing into a wall at 200mph on their website. You are aware the board doesnt just do 1kph and 37kph right? You don't have to go flat out everywhere.

Honestly I feel like I'm trying to explain this to a child.

Clampdown

Yes, most experienced skateboarders can ollie up curbs and over small obstacles, down a few stairs,etc. Sounds like you don't actually have that much experience skating tbh if you don't know that. Have fun hopping off every time something gets in your way.

Honestly, I think you just have confirmation bias since you've already spent a pile of money on it. It's a cool toy but I don't see it being useful in Ireland where it rains all the time, our roads and footpaths are really narrow and crowded unless you're in the country where roads are really rough and poorly lit.

I hope you enjoy it but I doubt you'll find it as useful for commuting as you would like.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

Clampdown wrote: »

Yes, most experienced skateboarders can ollie up curbs and over small obstacles, down a few stairs,etc. Sounds like you don't actually have that much experience skating tbh if you don't know that. Have fun hopping off every time something gets in your way.

Honestly, I think you just have confirmation bias since you've already spent a pile of money on it. It's a cool toy but I don't see it being useful in Ireland where it rains all the time, our roads and footpaths are really narrow and crowded unless you're in the country where roads are really rough and poorly lit.

I hope you enjoy it but I doubt you'll find it as useful for commuting as you would like.

I'm not the OP. I'm not using it as a commuter. it's a bit of crack to fly down to the shop on.

beauf

It will depend very much if your route is suitable. Only you will know that.

magicbastarder

Mellor wrote: »

How do you figure that?

25% is probably steeper than any hill in the country.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldwin_Street

Orion

Mellor wrote: »

How do you figure that?

25% is probably steeper than any hill in the country.

Mamore Gap is one of the steepest and it's 22%.

schemingbohemia

Hugh Mungus wrote: »

From your experience of electric boards is it? Because that's what we're talking about here.

Normally I would't reply to someone who starts their post with "pfft" but your post actually annoyed me because of how much you're assuming and how much you're talking out of your backside.

I have ridden a boosted board AND other electric boards and it's great. It's what made me want one so bad.

You're skeptical to the usefulness of the board? You mean you're skeptical of an electric vehichle that charges in an hour and gives you SEVEN miles range (by the way theres an extended battery coming next year that doubles your range...and its free) Clunky? - They're electric f*cking skateboards of course they're clunkier than a normal board. Christ.

Illegal? How. Show me how they're illegal please.


What it's "worth" is irrelevant. 2k to me could be more than what 2k is worth to you.

You can't really skate a normal board in wet weather either... Their own website promotes it as a "last mile vehicle" - It's plastered all over their site. Of course people in countries with better weather are using them as their main daily commuter. By the way the new board is now waterproof too, so you could ride it in the wet if you so wish.

A 25% incline is f*cking huge. I don't think you know what a 25% incline is, so yeah it's a "proper hill".

Stopping at any obstacle? It's a skateboard. Do you expect it to fly or something?



I know yeah, its mental how the sellers don't have a video of someone face planting themselves at 37kph on their home page isn't it? Crazy.

That's like saying why don't Ferrari have a video of someone smashing into a wall at 200mph on their website. You are aware the board doesnt just do 1kph and 37kph right? You don't have to go flat out everywhere.

Honestly I feel like I'm trying to explain this to a child.

They're not necessarily illegal, but using them on a footpath may well be, not having insurance,tax and a helmet or a registration plate is likely required as it counts as a mechanically propelled vehicle.

monument

schemingbohemia wrote: »

E-Bicycles or Pedelecs are limited to 25km/h to be legal here, sounds like this skateboard would be a lot faster.

At least the motor should start to stop helping at that speed.

schemingbohemia

monument wrote: »

At least the motor should start to stop helping at that speed.

Yes they're programmed to cut-out once you reach that speed.

monument

schemingbohemia wrote: »

Yes they're programmed to cut-out once you reach that speed.

Some of the fast e-bikes aren't. The induestry has been pushing things in the last few years.

There's models which require peddling but assist up to 35km/h and others up to 40km/h+. The rules or their strictness differs in different parts of Europe.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

No the OP but I just got a 2nd hand one online with 30 miles on it. Delivery by end of this month.

Can't wait. Do not give a flying shyte what the haters think.

ED E

Hugh Mungus wrote: »

No the OP but I just got a 2nd hand one online with 30 miles on it. Delivery by end of this month.

Can't wait. Do not give a flying shyte what the haters think.

V1 or V2? The 2s have much improved waterproofing which I'd be very much in favour of on this side of the pond.

My commute is about 7km and I've been drooling over the idea of going from two wheels to 4 tiny ones if I had the spare cash.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

V1. I've left my v2 order alone and I'll still probably get it in once they sort shipping. I can always sell the V1 anyway... I'm just looking forward to riding it for a week or two before the Weather turns to crap.

I created a few ebike threads here on boards in the cycling section and some bike snobs who dismissed ebikes tried everything to shut me up from spreading the e-bike word, and closed some of my threads because I gave links to sites that show how to convert your existing bike to electric, the excuse that I was using boards.ie to promote illegal bikes, but anyway, search for the threads yourselves, some interesting stuff.

Check out this link , it will explain all about DIY electric bike conversion, there is tonnes to know. https://endless-sphere.com/forums/

Some pedelec bicycles require insurance and a reg plate on the rear they can go up to 50 Kph and you need a license, a car license is fine.

The normal bikes cut off at about 28 Kph, and start to ramp down about 25 kwh.

power for a e-bike is limited to 250 watts, however sophisticated software used in the likes of the Bosch pedelec system are able to over come this, a Bosch pedelec is quoted as 250 watts but in reality is around 750 watts and is largely ignored by regulators.

250 watts is absolutely pathetic. And heavier riders would struggle greatly up steep hills. So a blind eye is turned to this practice.

I have a 2013 model and I absolutely love it but it is really for hilly terrain , the chain drive is quiet fantastic and uses the bike gearing for much better efficiency but it's the software that really makes the system work like it should. It makes you work, the harder you work the more power it knows you need.

These pedelecs like the Bosch and Panasonic chain drives will take the sting out of serious hills but you will sweat, they make you work and this is the whole Idea of them, but it means climbing the steepest hills or walking with a normal bike. They are great bikes and I love mine.

Here's mine, a 2013 model. Newer ones are more powerful with smaller batteries.

This is a haibike EQ trekking, made in Germany. Cost was 2,500 Euro's but if you cycle a lot but are not a die hard cyclist who likes to cycle 100 kms a day these are well worth the investment, just don't do something silly and buy a 50 Euro lock. Mine is covered on the house insurance too and the serial number recorded.

The above bike was able to pull me the whole way up Mount Leinster from the car park, and I still had plenty of battery.

Without this bike I never would make it on another bike and it was tough for me.

However for flat terrain these bikes will make general cycling a lot easier if that's what you want, if you don't want to pedal then you legally can't ride an e-bike in the E.U unless the motor cuts in when you pedal and off when you stop.

I build some mega fun bikes, 10 Kw peak.

plodder

Spent a day cycling in Germany recently and those electric bikes were all the rage, particularly among more elderly folk, who might not be up to it otherwise.

Del2005

Deleted User wrote: »

Some pedelec bicycles require insurance and a reg plate on the rear they can go up to 50 Kph and you need a license, a car license is fine.

To ride a moped, which is what these bikes are, you need an M endorsement on your licence this was removed from Irish B licences in Oct 2006.

Deleted User wrote: »

250 watts is absolutely pathetic. And heavier riders would struggle greatly up steep hills. So a blind eye is turned to this practice.

Until a moron on one of them ploughs into someone and causes serious injuries, then the blatant law breaking will be stopped.

plodder

They probably should be speed limited rather than power limited. [edit]I see they are. Never mind!

Del2005

Del2005 wrote: »

Until a moron on one of them ploughs into someone and causes serious injuries, then the blatant law breaking will be stopped.

What law breaking ? these bikes are fully certified. NO law broken.

plodder

plodder wrote: »

They probably should be speed limited rather than power limited.

Yes this is why most of these chain drive bikes are pulling way more than 250 watts is because they are speed restricted and full power is applied on hills where it's needed but still speed restricted.

On a steep hill you won't be going the speed limit anyway even under full power this is why the pathetic speed limit is ridiculous.

You could have 2 Kw and the same applies.

P_1

plodder wrote: »

They probably should be speed limited rather than power limited. [edit]I see they are. Never mind!

I'd wager you could fit some telemetry that recognises the gradient you're cycling and limit the power accordingly. That way you can get up those hills without paying the suffering toll (whimp ) but not reach downhill fun speeds going through the general traffic.

Edit, I see they already seem to, carry on, nothing to see here...

Chuchote

Electric skateboard sounds like fun. Wouldn't catch me doing a big speed on it, though; if it's for commuting, you can sail in happily at 15km/h and be able to avoid potholes, seams, crazy drivers, etc.

What's needed is to separate cyclists from traffic, there are loads of back lanes in Ireland's towns and cities that can be solely for cyclists.

I cycle in Germany any time I go over and the cycle lanes are terrific, just simply amazing and such a pleasure to ride on.

ted1

StereoSound wrote: »

Sorry Gard didn't know I needed a drivers licence for my skateboard..

I see people with electric bicycles in around the city centre every now and then so I'd love to talk to someone riding an electric bike to find out if they get hassle about them.

Electric bikes are regulated.
They must be less than 250W, the engine must have a max speed of 25kmh and can only operate when the rider is pedalling, and have no throttle

eeguy

Del2005 wrote: »

Until a moron on one of them ploughs into someone and causes serious injuries, then the blatant law breaking will be stopped.

that doesn't make any sense. It's been established that they're already speed limited.
The wattage refers to the power available to the motor.

So a 250W would get a light cyclist up to speed quickly, and would struggle with a heavier cyclist or a loaded bike, especially on a gradient.

More powerful motors have no trouble getting up to speed regardless of the weight.

It's like this , with 250 watts it would struggle with the extra weight of the bike and any rider. Especially a hub motor.

A chain drive would utilise 250 watts much better due to the gearing.

Bosch know that 250 watts is useless and people wouldn't buy the bikes so they pull around 750 watts at max power, usually climbing hills.

You could have 2 Kw and it would pass any legal test because what is restricted is acceleration and speed and power is used for hills.

Once the bike has it's legal certification then there is nothing at all to be worried about and the Bosch driven e-bikes fully comply to all laws once they have their cert.

There's no way a 250 watt e-bike would pull me up Mount Leinster all the way to the RTE mast. Anyone familiar with that knows the gradients are up to 25% possibly more at stages. And at that I'm not going to break speed records but it means the difference between being able to get up the mountain or not and this is why electric bikes are so good and useful.

I'm sure the Panasonic chain drives are the same though I have never tested one.

I am still impressed with the Bosch every time I take it out though I didn't get much opportunity the last year. When I haven't been on the bike in a while on my old bike I'd say, na, too windy, not going out, or na, not going this way too many hills, on the e-bike I can go anywhere I want.

Some of the newer Bosch drives have more torque and would be better again.

plodder

Deleted User wrote: »

What's needed is to separate cyclists from traffic, there are loads of back lanes in Ireland's towns and cities that can be solely for cyclists.

I cycle in Germany any time I go over and the cycle lanes are terrific, just simply amazing and such a pleasure to ride on.

Off topic, but funnily enough.. The place I went cycling the last time over there was Cologne, and there was a lot of shared space between cyclists and pedestrians. It was very busy on a saturday afternoon and faster racing cyclists were quite a menace. One boy (or actually girl) racer passed me and nearly took a pedestrian out of it, she was that close.

Del2005

[Deleted User] wrote: »

What law breaking ? these bikes are fully certified. NO law broken.

Why is a blind eye turned if they are legal?

Del2005

eeguy wrote: »

that doesn't make any sense. It's been established that they're already speed limited.
The wattage refers to the power available to the motor.

So a 250W would get a light cyclist up to speed quickly, and would struggle with a heavier cyclist or a loaded bike, especially on a gradient.

More powerful motors have no trouble getting up to speed regardless of the weight.

I've seen plenty of people using them going up hills without pedaling, that requires tax insurance licence etc. which the morons never have.