As to people exceeding their skill sets on these things, well, most people aren't fit to even drive, yet here they are doing all kinds of stupid stuff on the roads. Licensing won't do anything, just look at how easy it is to get a moto license here. Basically, if you can balance, you pass, and that means you can then ride whatever moto you want, from a TW200 to a modified H2. Heck, I see people on traditional bicycles that have no business being on public roads on a weekly basis(due to reckless behavior, I'm not saying they shouldn't be there). With protection, well, regular cyclists are woefully lacking as well. I used to bomb down dirt trails at 40+ mph on mountain bikes, and I wore the same as everyone else : A bicycle helmet, gloves, and regular clothes. If nobody cares about that, or roadies going down mountain roads at similar speeds, why the sudden concern for electric riders?
As for speed of electric bicycles, if they exceed the 750W, they are considered mopeds in this state, and can be registered as such, see the Suron bikes for example. Also, no special endorsement is needed to operate a moped, just a regular class C is good enough per the state. Also, traditional bicycles can be operated at those speeds and higher, all with pedal power, yet no similar concerns? Odd.
If we are to regulate these things(no thanks), then IMO, the whole system needs to be overhauled, or you'll end up in the same situations with the same concerns, only with a layer of bureaucracy added in. I think all this noise generated over electric bicycles is simply due to them being somewhat new, and growing in popularity, as well as avid cyclists getting butt hurt over people not having to pedal, thus not crossing some sort of perceived mandatory barrier of entry.
