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| Image courtesy of the Polk County Health Department |
I realize this is a nationwide issue, but my focus here is on Iowa as it relates to the debate and concerns over electrified two and three wheeled devices.
Reports of crashes, injuries, and damage are on the uptick. I saw a recent post by an ED professional (Emergency Department = ED) who was stating a case for helmet usage and proper education of children and adults concerning electrified vehicles. Stating a strong uptick in ED visits due to usage of these devices, the individual was pleading with parents, especially, to educate themselves and their children on the proper usage of these devices.
Many municipalities in Iowa are also posting on social media concerning either education, laws currently on books, or about impending city ordinances which are being considered to regulate this surge of electric vehicle usage on streets and trails.
Comments: The issues facing many cities are beyond the scope of control, in most cases, in my opinion. In view of how people are using these vehicles, it is my opinion that there are three basic user groups. One: Youth who are looking for easy transportation, thrills, and freedom from having to beg rides from parents or older siblings. Two: Low income people, either coming out of the legal system, or from other countries, who either cannot afford a car/truck, or cannot legally operate a car/truck, or both. Three: recreational cyclists who use e-bikes as a way to exercise and enjoy the outdoors who would not otherwise be doing so without an assisted bicycle or tricycle.
Most concerns I see being voiced are over misuse or ignorance (or both) and point at the underage crowd on these vehicles as being a menace to society. I do not see much concern over low income/disadvantaged folks using even the vehicles which are prohibited by law to be ridden without a license and insurance. That said, there are probably a few instances where these folks are causing problems. Most assuredly most of this segment is on these electrified vehicles because they cannot get, or afford insurance and/or a license. The third crowd, the e-bikers with assisted pedaling platforms, are generally no big deal to anyone.
What will likely happen? Smaller communities with limited resources will likely ban them all. Most of these cities and villages don't even have police. They just won't have any other way to enforce or apply any laws/ordinances. (Unless they lump the e-motor vehicles in with side-by-sides) At the very least, the laws and ordinances will keep the city/village governments out of liability in case of crashes, injuries, or deaths. Bigger cities may try separating the assisted vehicles from the non-assisted ones, but again, enforcement will be limited due to limited resources. Police are already spread thin, and asking them to separate goats from sheep is not going to be efficient. Maybe states will get involved, like New Jersey did, but I think this will be hit or miss based upon the specific cases each state is seeing rise through their judiciary systems.
My gut tells me the issue will become solved, mostly, when either states, or the Federal government steps in at the behest of insurers to make all electric assist and e-motor equipped two and three wheeled vehicles illegal unless they are licensed and insured. Essentially following the New Jersey example, if it is a successfully implemented law there.
Time will tell, but I think it will have to be solved sooner than later.
Substack Story:
Some of you here may already have noted my Substack account, maybe you follow it, but if not, I just wanted to point it out.
I don't post there a lot, but when I do it usually is something I don't publish anywhere else. Recently I wrote a bit more personal story about BRAN and why I went on the trip. If you want to check it out, Click Here.
If this sort of thing intrigues you and you like my writing, please consider subscribing to my Substack. It's free, and there is no obligation.
A slow news week here folks! So, I am going through the archives and making sure nothing gets left behind. I did come across the Chris king hub story from back in April. (Here)
The hang up is in regard to rims and what I want to spend. Carbon is nice, it builds a strong, lightweight wheel, and is my preference. However; they are expensive for anything with a reputation for quality and durability.
For instance, I can buy two Velocity Blunt SS aluminum rims for a little bit more than I can buy one decent carbon rim in a few cases, and for less than many single carbon rims in the size and spoke count I need.
So, seeing as how money has been tight, or allocated elsewhere of late (BRAN), I haven't made any decisions for those hubs yet. I probably will not make a decision on rims for quite some time yet.
Another thing I need to get back on is the review of the Ergon SR AllRoad Pro Saddle and the BT OrthoCell Handlebar Tape. Those items are on the Honeman Flyer and I switched out to ride the bikes I was considering for BRAN shortly after the review kicked off.
Now it is time to switch over to these products n the Honeman Flyer to conclude the review. I have another item coming in I cannot speak about yet which will help push these reviews up my "to do" list.
Interestingly, I have used the Honeman Flyer as a training bike for BRAN and since I've returned several times. I just haven't done any longer rides out in the country. I do have a bit of feedback, even from ny shorter rides, so it hasn't been as though I don't have any time on these products. I just don't have the gravel time I like to get before I write up anything.
So, stay tuned for updates on both products here from Ergon very soon.
And That's A Wrap!
I know.....The tour is on now. (May as well hand Pogačar the trophy now) But I have almost zero interest in Pro road racing these days, so you are not going to see much coverage of it here. With that, I want to thank you for checking out Guitar Ted Productions today. I hope you all get out for a ride this weekend.
9 comments:
Yeah, I personally have been almost either clipped or nailed by these underage or of age turds without any warning on their E scooters, E bicycles, E skateboards, and even normal bicycles more than once while out riding my own " normal " bicycles on bike/pedestrian trails, walking on sidewalks, or pulling away from a four way stop sign in my vehicle and almost getting T-Boned. I would like to know when the powers that be are going to at least require these people to carry some sort of accident liability medical insurance and enforce it so someday if or when the inevitable happens, hopefully never, we won't have to foot our own medical bills or theirs. But then again at least it seems like half the people out there driving our roads these days don't seem to have a license or insurance or neither......
I'm with you on e-bikes. IMHO if has wheels and a motor then it's a motor vehicle (with exceptions for low-speed mobility devices). In my urban area the problem isn't with kids but with adults riding way too fast, on the wrong side of the road, and/or on sidewalks (where I've almost been hit while walking).
Amen! This very afternoon walking out of the establishment I leaving on our side of the street, 3 lane one way street downtown, came a dude on an E-bike, not pedaling the whole time going at least 15 mph or maybe more, completely oblivious, bombing up to the next intersection. The lights were as Red as R.ed could be, no traffic luckily, he didn't even look! .....
Regarding carbon rims, I definitely understand the budget issue, as well as wanting quality. I will say that I have had nothing but good experiences with my Light Bicycle rims. I've used them on my Ti Colossal and now on my Warbird. They have held up well, and I have haven't had any issues with the wheels coming out of true or needing to be touched up after the initial break in period.
E-bikes and disc brakes have opened up a whole commuting world to a lot of people in hilly areas that would otherwise use cars or longer and limited public transit options.
I suggest a fourth category of e-bike riders who are harmless and actually add to the cycling demographic in a very positive way, and who are also troubled by the e-motos and carelessness of some overpowered e-bikes,
Is a class1 motor that helps you get to 20mph on the flats or 12mph on hills much different than a $5k bike that climbs easier and is more aero?
Get out and ride your bike and don’t worry about the old or physically less advantaged person who gets an electric boost, Yes, electric motorcycles are not bikes, but e-assisted is fine. We will all be there some day.
Ride your rides and quit judging others. I am one of many shameless 5,000 mile a year, year-round e-bike commuters in hilly, mountainous Seattle, where e-assist and disc brakes allowed a whole generation to safely and routinely go up, and down, many urban 12-15% city streets.
But sure, judge us from flat areas devoid of traffic and commuting complexity.
You mileage may very,
@tntmoriv - Hey, thanks for your time reading and for the comment. I appreciate that.
Here's what I wrote above, "The third crowd, the e-bikers with assisted pedaling platforms, are generally no big deal to anyone. "
Does this not include how you use an e-Bike? If you don't think so, I'm all ears. I will say your comment fleshed that idea out very well. That said, I wasn't saying anything along the lines you seem to have been offended by. Perhaps you can clear this up for me.
I do feel you, and riders who are like you, are in between a rock and a hard place when it comes to what may happen with laws, ordinances, and policies concerning the issues surrounding e-Bike/e-moto, and other electrified modes of transportation which are being used to cause a lot of trouble and frustration in our society. How those issues get handled from a policy and enforcement standpoint will be of great concern to you and those who are using the three-class e-Bikes as they were meant to be used.
I have already seen a few municipalities in Iowa reinforce current thinking with regard to trying to separate three-class bikes from the rest. My thoughts are that this is ideally what should happen, but how in the world is this going to be enforced? We're relying on parents and adults to "do the right thing" here more than we are the authorities to back up those laws and ordinances.
This has reduced issues in at least one community I am aware of, but.....the same community also reported anotehr 14 year old e-Moto user speeding on public roads and having to be arrested by the police with a confiscation of the e-Moto as well.
As the saying goes, "It only takes one bad apple...."
I've seen speed limits being bandied about as a solution as well. I've seen bans being considered which would put any cyclist on streets at risk of being outside the law. - I don't know.... It's a thorny issue and we all stand to lose something in the process, not just e-Bike riders in hilly areas. ALL cyclists stand to be affected negatively.
GT, thanks for the thoughtful response. I guess what hit a nerve for me was the initial suggestion that the third category of users ride for exercise or recreation. That’s true, but it’s also not painting the whole picture: bikes are transportation and mobility for work and errands and general life purposes, and for the average person an e-bike opens so many doors. I know you understand integrating bikes into every day life, and each ride we take is one less car trip. That helps everyone, and saves car use for longer or more complex trips.
What I struggle with is the blunt “ban or license” anything with any assist that some folks preach. For a long time you have been supportive of low power harmless e-bike use, and have been wondering out loud “where does this go, I think we know where this ends up.” You accurately foresaw the increased power, speed, and rapid evolution for some e-bikes to blur the lines between bicycle and motorcycle. You also understood the trouble we, as a society, would have regulating the whole mess.
I am not sure what the answer is in the US, as the genie is out of the bottle/Pandora’s box has been open too long. I do like the European/UK approach to assisted bikes, but that would need to be a Federal/national standard: 250 Watts maximum possible output, pedal assist only with no throttle, and 25 kph (15.5 mph) maximum assisted speed. Anything with a throttle or more power or speed is regulated like a moped or motorized scooter/motorcycle, no exceptions.
That would cover the recreational users, commuters, and everyone else who uses assisted bikes in everyday life.
Thanks again for the feedback and keep up the good work!
The considerations need to also include e-scooters, skateboards and single wheel things (?), as some have loads of power and speed, suspension, etc. Once these are in the roadway they should be treated as road users, and they should not be allowed on the sidewalk going much over walking speed.
Not talking about responsible E- bikers or E-Bikes here. The point is all about common sense, personal responsibility, trail etiquette, and obeying all traffic laws.....that's all!
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