Riding an e-bike is an excellent way to dodge traffic congestion and save money on commutes. However, a New York cyclist's daily routine was disrupted when police impounded their e-bike and issued a baffling ticket that they were determined to fight in court. 

"I got a criminal court appearance ticket for leaving my e-bike unattended," the Redditor explained in r/MicromobilityNYC. "What makes this confusing is that the officer actually saw me park my bike — we made eye contact — and watched me walk into the Wegmans."

What's more, the poster said they were inconvenienced because the police impounded their e-bike. When they inquired about the situation, an officer said they had done so because somebody could have stolen it.

"I was honestly shocked by that explanation because it didn't make sense given that the officer clearly knew I had just parked it," the Reddit user shared. "They also told me they had 'asked around' to find the owner, even though the officer who issued the ticket knew it was mine."

Also suspect was the fact that their summons incorrectly documented the location where the incident occurred and their name. 

"All of these mistakes make me question how valid the ticket really is," they added. 

The tale unlocked a wave of questions, advice, and criticism. In addition to saving people who make the switch from cars hundreds of dollars every year, e-bikes provide a surprising health boost despite their motors, helping riders enjoy their commutes and be more active. Upway offers an enormous variety of e-bikes to fit your needs, with many up to 60% off retail prices. 

"How can they write a ticket when it's completely legal to lock up your bike on the street?" someone asked, to which another replied, "Because it was propped up against an MTA structure."

Still, many saw this ticket as unnecessarily harsh and thought it would be dismissed.

"This should have been a 'Hey, please don't prop your bike against an MTA structure next time. Thanks, have a nice day,'" a third user suggested. 

What would it take to sell your car and start riding a bike? Shorter commute to work 🚴 More bike-friendly roads 🚵 I'll never leave my car 🚗 I already live the bike life 🚲 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Others bemoaned the country's heavy reliance on polluting private vehicles. "Fight as hard as possible. We cannot let cars win," one person wrote. 

Upway is a great place to start exploring your e-bike options. You can even sell your used e-bike with Upway and earn a discount on your next one if you're ready for an upgrade. 

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