I got so much feedback on my video a few weeks ago about better options for e-bike laws that I made another video using that feedback to try to write a better law. Spoiler alert: It's impossible to write a law everybody will like.
youtu.be/6Z35F2R7FeE
I spoke to @carterlavin.bsky.social about some of the most common mistakes people made when advocating for better transportation in our cities
youtu.be/7d2gkfikNfs
I'll look deeper into this. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve not rented a bike there, but Bishop’s Family Cycles is a great shop.
Also: I posted a survey to see what people think is the best way of regularing e-bikes. Let me know what you think: forms.gle/yzv62eY64oE8...
I'm worried about e-bike crackdowns, so I looked at all the options. Can we find a better way forward?
With help from @thebikinglawyer.bsky.social
youtu.be/JJN4FqcI7WE
It really is!
Here's how my own experiences riding around these cities have influenced the way I think about urban cycling.
youtu.be/IkvuMNRGtzI
So cool to be given a glimpse into life after cars with @thewaroncars.bsky.social in their own neighbourhood!
youtu.be/K9qYiCYGwiE
Yes, there has been a bit of a wink-wink-nudge-nudge attitude among some manufacturers about modifying pedelecs to get around the throttle and/or speed limits. That's another problem.
In most places, there already is legislation to limit the performance, but it's being ignored and can be difficult to identify without closely inspecting each bike, which means it's not being enforced. This is one of the problems that needs to be overcome.
I haven't read the legislation myself, but it sounds a little half-baked. Check out Berm Peak's videos on it youtu.be/v_M3gMfK5B4?...
Yes, I think there are plenty of good arguments for throttles, but it seems be one place where a line can be drawn
And that's clearly a pedelec, so it sucks. This why we can't have nice things.
All of the solutions kinda suck. It's a tough one.
I wouldn't say it's a huge issue in Calgary, but it's already a topic of conversation. And I think the more bike traffic you get, the more you see these e-motos.
Wouldn't it be an easy fix to tweak a design to keep all of the problems with an adjustable seat?
We're absolutely going to lose nuance in this debate. That's what makes it so tough.
I can't keep the classes straight either. This is another example of the risk of banning throttles outright, even though that may be the best of some imperfect solutions.
I don't love this option either, but it's also where I'm leaning.
These look good in theory, but they also rely on an ability to differentiate between the classes, which can be tough. If we're educating police on this, it could work. But are we?
The especially shitty part is this problem is largely created by unregulated electric motorcycles sold online, not by reputable retailers selling good-quality pedelecs. It's a weird time for bikes in all sorts of ways.
So what do we do about this? I don't have an answer, but I worry if the bike world doesn't get proactive about this, we're going to end up with a mess of terrible laws like New Jersey.
Thoughts?
3. Some people benefit, particularly those with mobility issues, with a throttle on a pedelec. If we ban them, we lose that opportunity.
2. The classification system is complicated and it can be impossible to tell one class of bike from another without a close inspection. Plus, these classifications are not currently being enforced regularly, at least partly because law enforcement officials don't understand the classes either.
There are the problems with each, as I see it.
1. Speed limits are not currently enforced at a rate to discourage abuse, and that doesn't seem likely to change in most jurisdictions.
I see three current imperfect options for regulating these things.
1. Let speed limits on pathways and bike routes do the regulating.
2. Use the US ebike classification system.
3. Do like Europe and ban everything from bike routes except pedelecs.
But the big, heavy two wheeled things that have powerful motors, throttles and fat tires — we should call these electric motorcycles or e-motos.
The first problem is labels. It's become clear that many people don't understand what an e-bike is. We should probably start calling bicycles with pedal assist motors pedelecs like they do in Europe. Nobody has a problem with these.
I know it's crazy to talk about regulating ebikes while allowing automobiles to kill and main with (almost) impunity, but I worry this terrible new law in New Jersey is going to snowball. The current system is not working, and doing nothing may no longer be an option.