E-bike wreck

[mk378]

New rules and regulations need to be put in place for E-bikes.

As you said, he was already breaking several rules. Ride on the right side, stop for red lights, etc. apply to every vehicle already. In regular surface traffic lanes, anything from a horse and buggy or human powered bike on up is about equal.

 

[Pablo]

It's always the hate on E bikes easy target I guess.

Yes.

There are plenty of rules for all kinds of bikes. USA doesn't need MORE rules. Some enforcement would be nice.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Nature takes care of the dumb ones. It’s part of natural selection.

 

[bullwinkle]

I missed a grown adult by inches on a e-scooter !
I was in the turning lane waiting for the light to turn green light changes there are two pedestrians crossing so I wait as they are in about the middle of the lane I shoulder check to left no more people crossing I proceed to make my turn suddenly I see a flash in the corner of my eye hit the brakes this guy is right there inches from me hitting him . In his eyes I'm the bad guy here as he starts to curse me out.
lucky for him I'm kind of shocked in the moment and didn't rage back I calmly put the window down and told him the rules of the road apply to him as well one he should have been on the right side of me in the bike lane and two if he want to follow in the traffic lane he cannot pass on the left in a turning lane he gave me one of the dumbest looks I have ever seen stepped back on his scooter and was gone in a flash Moral of my story these things are to fast for people who have absolutely no idea of the traffic laws in place.

Ohhh-they know, they just think they can get away with doing anything they want, because no one is stopping them. Until a much larger, heavier vehicle permanently informs them how the laws of physics (regarding mass) work!

 

[2005jettatdi]

I completely understand the frustration with bicycle riders who have no common sense. How about the car drivers who drive with their right wheel in the bicycle lane? I want to be safe in that lane. I play it safer and ride on the sidewalks. It is legal here and I always stop for pedestrians to get past me.

 

[ripcord]

I don't mind e-bikes anymore than regular ones. They are less of an impediment to traffic for the most part.

I am concerned for the safety of kids who've been turned loose with them around here and I've had a couple of incidents the past year. Once was as I was coming to a stop at a red light, a 12ish year old kid came by my right side and cut in front of me to cross in front of me in the crosswalk. If I had pulled slightly into the crosswalk while coming to a stop I could have easily clipped him. A second time I came around a corner in the dark in a country road to see a half dozen kids on e-bikes and scooters in front of me. No lights, 3 or 4 abreast, etc. Just a recipe for disaster. I don't see the e-bikes as extremely or inherently dangerous, but like a lot of things it empowers people to get into more trouble than they would otherwise.

 

[srfdude]

It's always the hate on E bikes easy target I guess.

Nah, its not the E bikes. Its the folks who drive them.

 

[srfdude]

Nature takes care of the dumb ones. It’s part of natural selection.

The problem with that is the people who are taken care of along with the dumb ones.

 

[#18FAN]

Nah, its not the E bikes. Its the folks who drive them.

Kinda like Harley riders

 

[AZjeff]

I think E-bikes are amazing. Cheap transportation for those in need. The only bad thing, is they should be regulated like motorcycles. Riders should be required to have a license. Maybe not with a VIN and all that, but the riders should be held to obay the rules of the road.

Cheap transportation for those is need is a tiny miniscule percent of the ebikes in use.

If it moves under it's own power without pedaling it's not a bicycle it's a moped and should be subject to whatever licensing etc rules apply. ICE powered mopeds aren't allowed on sidewalks or multi-use trails why should an electric powered moped be allowed? Some think they're no different than normal bikes and riders. Not exactly true, there are darn few riders who can pedal at 20 mph on flat ground much less uphill. Pedestrians aren't used to how fast they approach. Drivers just aren't accustomed to bikes coming to crosswalks doing 15-20 mph and misjudge closing speed. We have cheater ebikes around here, a llittle motorcycle that has a cheap crankset and 1 gear on the back to technically make it a bicycle. Impossible to ride without power.

At the least ebikes should be pedal-assist only meaning if you aren't pedaling it won't move to be considered bicycles. More enforcement of the current laws would be good, right, so how does a cop in a car in full gear catch someone on an ebike that doesn't want caught? It's a growing safety problem as more people get them and think they can go full speed anywhere.

 

[Ranger83]

///

At the least ebikes should be pedal-assist only meaning if you aren't pedaling it won't move to be considered bicycles. More enforcement of the current laws would be good, right, so how does a cop in a car in full gear catch someone on an ebike that doesn't want caught? It's a growing safety problem as more people get them and think they can go full speed anywhere.

Class 1 e-bikes are pedal activated with a top speed of 20mph.
Class 2 are the same 20mph but add a hand throttle.
Class 3 can go 28mph and may be restricted from some off-road venues.

“Since 2014, with leadership team from PeopleForBikes, the national bicycle advocacy group and bicycle industry trade association, more than 30 states have passed a standardized regulation for eBike use with a simple, straightforward approach known as the “3-Class” System. This model legislation defines three common classes of eBikes (based on speed, wattage, and operation), and allows states to decide which types of bicycle infrastructure each class can use (typically Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes are allowed wherever traditional bikes are allowed). It also requires eBike makers to place a highly visible sticker on the frame to indicate an eBike’s Class. ”

 

[AZjeff]

Not sure what the 3 classes of ebikes have to do with pedal assist? The "model legislation" was directed and driven by the bicycle industry for their benefit. I note this as a life long serious cyclist with some contacts in the industry. BTW I've never noticed a highly visible 1,2, or 3 sticker on any ebike and I see dozens of lower end ebikes every week as I transit on the rail trail between mtb trailheads and big brand emtbs on the trails. Maybe they pull off easily?

 

[Nessism1]

Received a call from the police today. The detective was looking for any and all information I could share.

I asked if the E-bike dude was okay, and I was told me that he will recover. I'm elated to hear this. It's been bugging me ever since coming up on the scene...