Yesterday I wrote about an example of bicycle infrastructure and policy crafted, so it seems, by non-cyclists. The new Brooklyn Bridge bike lane seems to combine every bad decision made by this city's planners when it comes to cycling. What's worse, or at least as bad, as the lane itself is that motorized bicycles and scooters are allowed to share it with completely human-powered bikes.
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| Photo by Jay Petrequin for |
Now the folks in Warren County--part of my home state's "North Country"--are contemplating that same policy mistake on a popular bike lane. The Warren County Bikeway winds its way through the woods from the village of Lake George through the city of Glens Falls, and connects cyclists with Adirondack Park and other parts of the North Country. The county administrators are debating whether to allow electric bikes on the lane.
Now, I am not against electric bikes in principle: They keep people on two wheels after their bodies have been decimated by injuries, disease or simply old age. And, they are quieter and less polluting--at least in their normal state--than the motorized bikes--which, in my opinion, are just scaled-down motorcycles-- commonly used by delivery workers.
E-bikes differ from their motorized counterparts in several ways. First, of course, is their power source. But more to the point, the motor in an e-bike is not made to power the bike by itself. Rather, it's there to augment the rider's leg juice on a hill, against the wind or simply when the rider tires out.
Within the category of e-bikes, there are three basic types:
Type 1 is designed to assist the rider in getting the bike to speeds up to 20 MPH. At higher speeds, the motor cuts off until the bike slows down.
Type 2 is like Type 1, with a throttle added. This feature can be used to cross an intersection, make a right turn or in any other situation in which quick acceleration is helpful.
Type 3 is the same as Type 2, but with the ability to reach 28 MPH.
If the bike lane is wide enough and secluded from traffic, I have no problem with Type 1, or even Type 2. The problem is that the latter is often modified into a Type 3, and Type 3s are made to go even faster. Also, Type 3 riders tend to ride more than they pedal.
I think making clear distinctions about what is and isn't allowed, and enforcing such regulations, would make it safe and practical for Type 1 and even Type 2 riders to share a lane with those of us who ride completely human-powered bikes. Such an arrangement would make particular sense on the Warren County bike lane, as many riders are vacationers who bring their bikes on RVs or trailers to Lake George or some other North Country destination. And many of those arriving in RVs are retirees who might not otherwise cycle if there wasn't a "boost."
