California approved E-Bikes. Will more states follow?

Now that California approved E-Bikes, will more states follow? With most bike paths being shared with pedestrians, this has the potential of increasing collisions since E-Bikes can travel at a higher speed. As a big picture, it could be a more green, less car-dependent option. I'm pretty conflicted about E-Bikes. What do you think?

See article in Bicycling Magazine.

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Permalink Reply by Rich S on October 14, 2015 at 5:47am

If I was in the market for a cargo bike I would probably look into electric assist models. 

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on October 14, 2015 at 6:02am

That's a good point. Cargo bikes would be a good fit for eBikes - especially with a heavy load.

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on October 14, 2015 at 6:18am

There are already e-bikes running along the lake at speeds the owner never would attain on a normal bike. It wouldn't be any different for someone riding a gas scooter on the path, so I think there needs to be some kind of upper limit on speed for electric vehicles. Speed's the reason scooters aren't allowed on the path; why not restrict all motorized devices that can reach 30 mph or so?

Permalink Reply by Lee Roy on October 14, 2015 at 7:30am

Yes, more states will follow. Ebikes and Motor-Assist bikes are gaining popularity.

Once Ebikes come down in price to the level of Motor-Assist ones the "rubber will hit the road".

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on October 15, 2015 at 6:03am

As will many riders and pedestrians.

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on October 14, 2015 at 8:05am

All motor driven bikes, from Harley-Davidsons & BMWs, down to Vespas and e-cycles, have far more in common with each other than do e-bikes and pedalcycles.   Motorbikes, including e-cycles, should stay out of bike lanes and paths and be driven on the street with the rest of the motorized traffic, for everyone's safety.

Permalink Reply by Lee Roy on October 14, 2015 at 10:35am

I like that Ebikes and Motor-Assist bikes are governed by the same rules as bicycles.

There are bad apples across the broad spectrum of transportation modes.

My sense is as Ebikes and Motor-Assist bikes proliferate sensible guidelines will be put in place.

Peer pressure will also curb excessive speeders and scofflaws.

Then, as time passes, and Ebikes and Motor-Assist bikes are "normalized", nobody will give them a second thought. 

Permalink Reply by Maurice on October 14, 2015 at 11:16am
Things with motors do not belong on paths (subject to ADA compliance).

That's the clearest rule. "More green" is a slippery slope.
Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on October 14, 2015 at 12:20pm

So-called e-bikes may be quite cool and useful, but to me they are not bicycles and do not belong on bicycle paths.  Bicycles by definition are human-powered vehicles.  No one voluntarily pedals an e-bike around with the power assist off.  The pedal function is merely a pretext so that users can pretend to themselves that they're still riding bicycles.  They belong on the streets with all the other motorized vehicles. 

Permalink Reply by youth on October 14, 2015 at 2:12pm

I'm glad it's gaining more acceptance. My 20mph limited e-bike has allowed me to manage a daily 33 mile round trip commute all through last fall & winter(with studded tires) to this spring. It's makes me bit more confident on the 40mph+ arterial shoulder-less roads in the burbs since I'm not always up to exerting myself to sustain the over 18+ mph on those roads. Though it's mainly for my commute & not leisure riding on paths I don't see any issue with it for most people if it's limited to 20mph. The next step up in speeds for e-bikes is 28mph which I wish my bike would do to make the commute time shorter. But that kind of speed in the hands of an less skilled cyclist I could see being potentially dangerous or a nuisance.

Also my e-bike saves on average 10 minutes over my non-powered bike over that 33 miles, but at maybe 60% of the effort. My e-bike also has a throttle in addition to pedal assist but it won't last long over that distance. Really before knocking them they ride like a normal bike only with the feeling of a nice tailwind.  

Permalink Reply by Fuegofan on October 16, 2015 at 3:29am

I'm not sure that the issue is so much pro-ebike vs anti-ebike, but rather, do ebikes belong on bike paths.  Given how fast some people ride on the LFT, I know that they're going 20 mph on a standard bike, I must say that Type 1 ebikes that go up to 20 mph don't bother me much in theory (and here are my caveats:  I haven't ridden one; I have seen various; I'm just getting into the market for a cargo ebike to transport my son to school and to do the groceries and such; I use the LFT; and I am anything but a speed demon).  Just like the guys who zoom up the LFT, or anyone else for that matter, ebikes have to be incredibly careful in crowded areas like the LFT near 31st St. beach in the summer, with so many beachgoers crossing the path, walking on the path, and the kids darting in and out.  I don't care what vehicle you're on, going more than about 5 mph in that kind of a scrum is dangerous.

Permalink Reply by Phillip Hackman on October 22, 2015 at 8:49am
As I read through the great threads below from "real live" bike commuters, let's be clear on something: there are 2 kinds of eBikes. The first, much older, and more common type is a bike cycle with an electric motor on it that makes it "go". Human pedaling adds nothing. The newer eBikes coming out from Denmark and the U.S. are "synergistic" drive trains in which only when the pace of the human power slows down due to head wind or fatigue will the "e Engine" kick in. These bikes are amazing and really really help those of us who have 12+ mile commutes (mine is 17 each way).

Please don't just draw a judgment without first understanding these new wave of excellent bicycles because trust me, they are bicycles. I am exhausted after riding 34 miles on this type. On the first type, no not at all. But just wanted to educate the masses on this point.

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