A Good Step—But Is It Enougih

 

The Federal Government defines them as “micromobility devices.” Soon, however, one state might, in essence, classify them as motorized vehicles.

That might seem like a mere matter of semantics—or the sort of thing that occupies lawyers and policy wonks with too much time on their hands.  But it could have real consequences for eBike owners and riders.

Last month, Bill S2292 was introduced in the New Jersey Senate. It’s said to be “gaining traction “ as it moves the required Senate committee reviews. A date for a vote, however, has not been set.

In essence, the bill, if passed, would require “low speed electric bicycles” and “‘motorized bicycles” to have the same liability insurance as motorcycles or cars.

For the purposes of the bill, a “low speed electric bicycle “ is defined as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts that provides assistance when the rider is pedaling or ceases to provide assistance when the rider reaches 20 mph. A “motorized bicycle “ is one with pedals and a motor whose maximum piston displacement is less than 50cc or whose motor is rated at no more than 1.5 brake horsepower. Or, the bike is powered by an electric drive motor and does not reach more than 25 MPH on a flat surface.

Under those terms, eBike owners would be required to have insurance against potential bodily injury, death or property damage caused by their vehicles. In addition, eBike owners would need to carry personal injury protection in case their eBike causes bodily injury or death to another person.

The bill seems to be a response to the recent spate of crashes—and fires caused by eBike batteries. In that sense, I think it’s a good idea and think we should have a similar regulation here in New York. On the other hand, critics say that it could make eBike ownership “prohibitively expensive.” I also wonder how it could be enforced, given that many eBike purchases are made “off the books,” if you will, by undocumented immigrants.

A Translation of “Hasta La Vista, Baby!”

 As cheesy as it sounds, I have envisioned a movie, video or play ending with the main character mounting a bicycle and intoning, “See you later, alligator!”

SaddleUp This Summer

 

When we think of “summer jobs,” images  of young people working as lifeguards, sandwich-makers, bike mechanics and camp counselors come to mind.

If you have been reading this blog for a while, you probably know that I’ve been a bike shop mechanic. I have  also worked as a counselor/instructor at a day and a sleep-away camp. At both, I worked with teenagers on their poems, stories and other writings, and helped to compile a magazine and yearbook.  Although I enjoyed the work, after my sleep-away camp experience I made a vow—which I’ve kept through the ensuing decades—that I would never again live on my job site.

Once I started college teaching (Hey, if I can do it, so can you!), “summer job” became “summer work” and meant teaching a class or two.

Now I have learned about a new kind of summer job:  one I might’ve wanted when I was young (which, as I like to tell young people, I once was, believe it or not). Some might say it’s an “only in Portland” position.

WashCl Bikes, a community bike shop in Hillsboro, Oregon is, in many ways like New York’s Recycle-a-Bicycle and other “community “ bike shops. It “recycles” bikes that might otherwise have ended up in landfills and sells them, alongside helmets, lights, locks and other necessities for transportation cycling.  Washco also does repairs and conducts repair classes.

The new summer position, however, isn’t as a mechanic, salesperson or workshop instructor. As it turns out, Washco runs SaddleUp. It’s not strictly a bike camp:  traditional summer camp activities like arts and crafts are included.  Campers reach those activities, held on different sites, by bicycle.  Those rides, along with rides in the community and on trails, are used to teach bike skills, safety and etiquette.

Full- and part-time positions are available at “competitive”pay.  WashCo is accepting applications now.