Public bike scheme bikes are always built like tanks with lowest common denominator gearing, lowered further for the heft. I dread riding them and was looking forward to electrified versions when I can’t use my low-end 10sp 70s “daily driver” bike.<p>It’s sad they couldn’t restrict electrics to speeds of an average cyclist on an average bike instead of removing them entirely.<p>It’s actually impressive to read about their brakes working well enough to flip a rider: they’re bottom heavy bikes with lowest common denominator ride heights.<p>But I’m the kind of person to do a brake test when faced with new-to-me vehicles or road conditions.<p>I preferred the Chinese drop bikes when I was in places that had them - lighter and more visible.