Chicago E-Bikes Will Get Rules for the Road if Ordinance Passes

By Ted Cox on April 9, 2014 6:03am

CITY HALL — Hybrid e-bikes would get a place on the road — and in the city's regulations — with a new ordinance proposed in the City Council.

Aldermen Joe Moreno (1st) and Scott Waguespack (32nd) have co-sponsored an ordinance that would clarify rules of the road for low-speed powered bicycles, both electric and gas-propelled.

The ordinance would set 16 as the minimum age to drive the bikes, and 20 mph as their top speed, but otherwise would treat them like conventional bikes, including a ban on operating them on sidewalks.

Low-speed powered bicycles are distinct from motorcycles and mopeds, both of which have more power and attain higher speeds. Rather, they augment pedal power with a low-power motor installed on the front or rear wheel. They're growing in popularity and can cost from $800 to $6,000.

"It really depends on what a user wants out of the bike," said Sabin West, a salesman at Kozy's Cyclery in River North. Some simply assist pedaling, others have a separate throttle.

Waguespack legislative aide Danny Galin, who worked on the proposed ordinance, said, "It's basically to clarify things. It brings city law in line with state law."

The 32nd Ward has a couple of businesses selling e-bikes, Galin said, and there are a growing number of the bikes on the streets.

"We've had people call and ask about the regulations, about whether they could be ticketed," he added. "So we thought it best to set things straight."

Attorney Brendan Kevenides, whose Freeman Kevenides Law Firm specializes in bicycle cases, said the legal clarification is necessary. State law treats e-bikes about the same as conventional bicycles, but city law has yet to categorize them.

According to Kevenides, the city code defines a bicycle as a "device propelled solely by human power."

"Technically, therefore, an e-bike is treated like a motor vehicle under the muni code, meaning they may not be permitted on bike lanes and other bike-only infrastructure," Kevenides said. "The bottom line is the Chicago ordinance should be brought in line with the state code to avoid confusion. Police officers enforcing the law and cyclists enjoying their e-bikes would benefit from greater clarity.

  E-bikes, which are propelled by electricity or gas,  are technically treated as motor vehicles under city code, but a proposed ordinance aims to treat them the same as conventional bikes. E-bikes, which are propelled by electricity or gas,  are technically treated as motor vehicles under city code, but a proposed ordinance aims to treat them the same as conventional bikes. View Full Caption Flickr/bike_ema "From a practical point of view, I've never heard of anyone getting a ticket in Chicago for riding an e-bike in a bike lane or on any other bike-only infrastructure," Kevenides added. "Still, one of these days it is bound to create a problem, so it is best in my opinion to just fix it."

The Active Transportation Alliance endorsed the measure.

"E-bikes can be a great benefit for people who need some extra assistance while bicycling, particularly older people and individuals with disabilities," spokesman Ted Villaire said.

"We’re pleased that e-bike riders would be able to use Chicago’s swiftly growing network of bike lanes, and that e-bike riders would have a speed limit of 20 mph, which keeps them close to the same speed as people riding standard bikes."

West said he had just returned from Amsterdam, where e-bikes are growing in popularity. Yet they've also encountered problems sharing the road with faster, more powerful mopeds, an issue the ordinance seeks to address with its speed limit.

"I can see that being an issue here in Chicago," West said. "It really comes down to how they enforce it."

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140409/downtown/e-bikes-merge-into...

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on April 9, 2014 at 7:41am

If I remember correctly, e-bikes in Europe are limited at a much lower speed (12mph?) for that same reason. If you can go faster than that, you don't need an e-bike

Jeff Schneider said:

I understand the advantages of e-bikes for certain uses/riders, and don't want to get anyone going on an anti e-bike rant.  However, I do have some apprehension about sharing bike lanes and paths with them.  My small exposure to e-bike riders so far gives me the impression that many will choose to go much faster than other cyclists, despite having little cycling experience.  I agree that a 20 mph capability is too high.  We already have enough close calls with some relatively skilled Lakefront Lances going about that speed.  What happens when we get the less skilled going that fast may not be pretty.

OTOH it would be great to see, for example, electric assist increase the popularity of cargo bikes.  So, I'm a little conflicted about this ordinance...

Permalink Reply by Duppie on April 9, 2014 at 7:42am

In the Netherlands there is a certain class of mopeds that can go 20-25mph that share the lane with bicyclists. I am glad that they clarify that these vehicles can not use the bike lane.

Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on April 9, 2014 at 7:58am

20 mph isn't too fast for bike lanes.   You just have to be smart enough to know when its not appropriate to go that fast.

Permalink Reply by Steve Courtright on April 9, 2014 at 8:31am

I was a test rider for an e-bike system developed here in Chicago and rode it over a year exactly like I do my conventional bikes.  Not once did it create any concern with bicyclists or traffic, for that matter.  Most of the time, bicyclists that I chatted with or rode with were completely unaware that I was using an electric boost system.  They start and stop about the same as a conventional bike.  They take up the same space on the road.  In my experience, e-bikes do not create problems.

In Europe, e-bikes are made so that they cut off the electric motor boost at 16-20 mph, depending on the country, if memory serves.

Permalink Reply by Gecko on April 9, 2014 at 8:31am

I second Davis' feelings on the perils of E-Bikes in the bike lanes.  Electric assist can be useful for pedicabs, cargo bikes, seniors and people with disabilities, but that's probably not what it'll be mostly used for.

What really makes me mad is that the article also includes "gas-powered" bikes under their "low-speed powered cycle" definition.  I don't know if anybody else has any experience with these, but I LOATHE them, especially when their owners fail to fit a proper muffler.  One of the last CCMs I did last summer, my group had to ride away from some douchebag who thought it was really cool to ride his obscenely loud POS "motorcycle" that belched blue-black 2-stroke smoke everywhere in a crowd of cyclists because "hey, it's built out of a bike".  Noise pollution, air pollution, and fuel consumption are things a bicycle should NOT have.  I definitely understand the DIY, tinkerer mindset, but sticking a motor on something just because you can doesn't make it any better.

Permalink Reply by Andrew on April 9, 2014 at 9:11am

Well said.  Regarding commuting/Chicago bike lanes, I've found over the years that the more I ride, the slower I go (by design).


Jeff Schneider said:

You are more fearless than I am, and/or your reflexes are much faster.  Drivers pull out of parking spots or throw open doors without looking, cabbies swerve into bike lanes to pick up or drop off fares, pedestrians step into bike lanes from between parked cars, streets have huge craters and piles of glass, etc.  There are very few bike lanes in this city where I would feel safe going that fast.  I would be afraid that I wouldn't have time to react to all theses hazards.

envane (69 furlongs) said:

20 mph isn't too fast for bike lanes.   You just have to be smart enough to know when its not appropriate to go that fast.

Permalink Reply by Lee Roy on April 9, 2014 at 10:54am

I wish all types Motorized Bike riders would be courteous. There is much discussion within our (MB) community about responsible riding, safety, and noise pollution. Cutting off/Modifying the exhaust, increasing compression, and driving like a motorcycle are all things a noobs to our hobby seem proficient at. It's the few who ruin it for the many. ...if you can believe that.

There is also a lot of technical aptitude needed to properly maintain and operate a 49cc China Doll. Sadly most of the MB riders are simply buying the cheapest kit on Ebay, going all straight pipe and compression head, and trying to go 45mph.

MBs, 49cc, China Dolls, Gas Bikes, and Ebikes are "low speed bikes" according to the DOT. Every rider of one is an ambassador for one as well. Most riders do not understand that there is a place and a way to ride these. I like to say, "It's not what your riding, it's how your riding it". Kinda applies to all bikes actually.

I am a longtime Chainlinker, and I appreciate all different viewpoints. 

Agreed, CCM is not the place.

I know I would not be putting around in that sea of humanity. How the heck would you!

He should have disengaged the motor IMHO. That would have been so easy.



Nick G said:

What really makes me mad is that the article also includes "gas-powered" bikes under their "low-speed powered cycle" definition.  I don't know if anybody else has any experience with these, but I LOATHE them, especially when their owners fail to fit a proper muffler.  One of the last CCMs I did last summer, my group had to ride away from some douchebag who thought it was really cool to ride his obscenely loud POS "motorcycle" that belched blue-black 2-stroke smoke everywhere in a crowd of cyclists because "hey, it's built out of a bike".  Noise pollution, air pollution, and fuel consumption are things a bicycle should NOT have.  I definitely understand the DIY, tinkerer mindset, but sticking a motor on something just because you can doesn't make it any better.

Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on April 9, 2014 at 2:30pm

The hazards you speak of could get you at slower speeds as well.   Some idiot can throw a door in your path before anyone could have time to react going 12 mph.  I'm sure there is a speed-safety curve, but who knows what it looks like?  All I can say, is that this afternoon I didn't feel at all unsafe riding at 22 mph (due to a huge tailwind) through clear stretches where I could keep a good distance from parked cars to the right, while at other times I was crawling at 5 mph negotiating heavy traffic.   Just use common sense.


Jeff Schneider said:

You are more fearless than I am, and/or your reflexes are much faster.  Drivers pull out of parking spots or throw open doors without looking, cabbies swerve into bike lanes to pick up or drop off fares, pedestrians step into bike lanes from between parked cars, streets have huge craters and piles of glass, etc.  There are very few bike lanes in this city where I would feel safe going that fast.  I would be afraid that I wouldn't have time to react to all theses hazards.

envane (69 furlongs) said:

20 mph isn't too fast for bike lanes.   You just have to be smart enough to know when its not appropriate to go that fast.

Permalink Reply by Reboot Oxnard on April 10, 2014 at 1:22am

Which is the greatest danger?

  1. An e-bike in a bike lane.
  2. A lycranaut on the LFT.
  3. A fixie approaching a stop sign.

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