How to Keep Riders of All Ages Safe on E-bikes
This is a 2-part post. Post 1 explains our stance around the growing popularity of e-bikes.
Looking at the crash data in our first post on e-bikes, it’s safer to be on a bike than in a car; and the rapid growth in e-bike use we see in the U.S. only strengthens the case for building political will for safer streets. At least 30% of the U.S. population cannot drive due to age, disability, or other factors. Everyone deserves a safe and dignified travel experience, whether they are walking a stroller, grocery cart, or parking a car or bicycle.
Decades of car-dominated street design has left many communities with limited infrastructure and few spaces where people can walk and roll without fear and threat of violence. The recent uptick in e-bike use is a clear signal of shifting consumer behavior and demands for more than just car travel. This is a pivotal moment to reorient the conversation and mobilize new voices to press for safe streets designed for people who walk, bike and roll – those most vulnerable to getting hit by a driver.
Here are our policy recommendations for safe and accessible e-bike usage
E-bike regulations should be established at the national, or at least state level. Imagine if the driving age changed when crossing county lines. We are seeing reactive conversations from school districts and counties that are further confusing parents and riders.
Fund safe streets–including quick build programs. Infrastructure to facilitate cycling and reduced speeds for all modes will benefit everyone traveling. Quick build programs allow cities to install this infrastructure sooner and pilot designs before further investment. If a corridor is redesigned, quick build elements should be installed in the interim while long-term construction plans are executed, so the benefits can be realized as soon as possible.
Fund bike education for youth and adults. Parents are responsible for their kids operating illegal devices and, worse, the consequences of a crash. Youth can and should safely operate e-bikes and be aware of the dangers of modified and high-speed devices. This education enables consumers to ask the right questions of their retailers and ensure they are buying a legal e-bike. Riders of all ages need education around the dangers of throttle and that speed seriously increases the likelihood of injury in a crash.
Hold retailers accountable for selling illegal e-bikes. Retailers should be legally required to state the maximum watts and speed of an e-bike and held accountable for selling illegal or modifiable devices. Anything over 750 watts is not a legal e-bike. The goal is to catch these illegal devices at point of sale, so riders and parents have a clear understanding of what they are buying and how to keep themselves and their kids safe.
Fund e-bike incentive programs through licensed retailers. Licensed retailers can help customers ensure they are buying legitimate e-bikes and can easily get repairs and maintenance. Unlicensed devices, especially those sold online or from big box stores are often cheaper and easy to modify to allow for high speeds.
If you’re ready to start your bike education journey , see our current classes offerings here. If you’d like the SVBC team to visit your community and teach a class on e-bikes, contact us through: [email protected].
