e-Bikes – Let’s talk

[phog]

LOL Zero motorcycles has a major product announcement coming out next month… and they already have a model (the SR) with blistering performance (0-60 in 3.3 seconds) for 16K. And plenty of cheaper models. That Harley nameplate had better be made of ten ounces of solid gold!

[LeprosyStudyGroup]

@phog 185111 wrote:

LOL Zero motorcycles has a major product announcement coming out next month… and they already have a model (the SR) with blistering performance (0-60 in 3.3 seconds) for 16K. And plenty of cheaper models. That Harley nameplate had better be made of ten ounces of solid gold!

I’ll scoop my beard and oxygen tank up out of the way to check for you after I run your ass over.

[Drewdane]

@PeteD 185104 wrote:

New Ebike coming in August to a trail near you:
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/future-vehicles/livewire.html

If it isn’t dripping a stream of oil behind it and deafening everyone in the vicinity, is it still a Harley?

[Judd]

NOVA Parks is proposing changing regulations to better define what an e-bike is and allow them on trails. Meeting on February 7th, which will be followed by a public comment period.

https://www.novaparks.com/about/press-releases-financials

[phog]

A well-worded policy from NOVA/FX county parks authority could be a precedent setter, a model for other jurisdictions in Virginia and beyond. Yesterday I got an email from WABA (Katie Harris, Trails Coalition Coordinator) inviting comments.
Thursday, Feb 7, Jean R. Packard Center, Occoquan Regional Park, 9751 Ox Road, Lorton VA
Written comments: to Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov and NOVAParks@nvrpa.org.
The hearing is jointly hosted by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority Board and the Fairfax County Park Authority Board.

[Dewey]

WTF Arlington?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYed96KcX5A&feature=youtu.be

Saying both scooter and E-bike riders “obey the rules of the road” if they ride in the streets “because they are considered Motorized Vehicles” implies they are motor vehicles that do not belong on sidewalks.

The Code of Virginia says “any device herein defined as a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped shall be deemed not to be a motor vehicle.” The site the video points to has a chart correctly noting that e-bikes are allowed on sidewalks but why couldn’t the County simply wait until it is determined whether they need to change their pilot rules and County Code to comply with HB 2752 which if voted into law would change Virginia law to include motorized skateboard or scooter among vehicles “deemed not to be a motor vehicle”?

[SolarBikeCar]

A long but entertaining take on ebikes.

https://pvcycling.wordpress.com/2018/03/17/i-hate-your-e-bike/

[Dewey]

Wyoming legislature approves 3-class ebike law, signed by governor Gordon becoming the 12th state to do so.

Maryland has introduced ebike legislation this year: HB 939 (sponsor delegate Cassilly (R) Cecil & Harford Counties) and SB 935 (sponsor senator Waldstreicher (D) Montgomery County) with a potential effective date of October 1, 2019, would enact the 3-class system, raise the power limit from 500w to 750w in line with the other states, and permit Class 1 and 2 ebikes everywhere a bicycle may ride, Class 3 ebikes would be prohibited from bike paths unless on or adjacent to a highway. The proposed law would permit localities to prohibit Class 1 and 2 ebikes from bike paths, unclear how/if that changes anything on bike paths already signposted ‘no motorized vehicles’.

[buschwacker]

Has anyone taken an ebike on a MARC train? A Reddit user is reporting that MARC has started barring his/her ebike after a year of allowing it on, apparently citing the rule against motorized vehicles on trains. https://www.reddit.com/r/ebikes/comments/av2hkp/ebikes_banned_from_commuter_train/

[Dewey]

@Dewey 187088 wrote:

why couldn’t the County simply wait until it is determined whether they need to change their pilot rules and County Code to comply with HB 2752 which if voted into law would change Virginia law to include motorized skateboard or scooter among vehicles “deemed not to be a motor vehicle”?

HB2752 was passed by the VA legislature and signed by gov Northam last Thursday 3/21/19. In Virginia electric scooters and motorized skateboards are now no longer classed as motor vehicles and are permitted to ride on sidewalks unless prohibited by ordinance (Source: revised VA Code § 46.2-903 Riding or driving vehicles on sidewalks), presumably this last revision means Arlington may continue to ban scooters from sidewalks.

Nova Parks last week discussed and passed changing NOVA Parks regulations related to ebikes, no minutes available online yet but presumably took into account the public comments/feedback.

In Maryland HB 939/SB 935 remain on track for the state to enact this year the BPSA/People for Bikes 3-class model ebike legislation.

[Judd]

Captain James T. Kirk trolled Arlington DES on Twitter yesterday: https://twitter.com/WilliamShatner/status/1110950688635260928

[dasgeh]

@Judd 189319 wrote:

Captain James T. Kirk trolled Arlington DES on Twitter yesterday: https://twitter.com/WilliamShatner/status/1110950688635260928

Not the first time.

[Erin Potter]

@dasgeh 189338 wrote:

Not the first time.

This is perhaps my favorite ridiculous twitter beef.

[dasgeh]

If this results in an ebike ride with Captain Kirk in Arlington, I’m all for it.

[Dewey]

Thank you NOVA Parks!

https://www.arlnow.com/2019/03/29/e-bikes-now-permitted-on-nova-parks-trails-including-the-wod-trail/

And the promise of more to come…

“Regarding allowing e-bikes on (Arlington) County trails, we’ll look at it this summer during the evaluation of our shared mobility devices demonstration project,” said (Arlington DES) department spokesman Eric Baillet.”

[Author]

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