[Dewey]

Helbiz ebikeshare has lost its bike supplier after Mahindra shut down the Genze electric bike & scooter operation Michigan https://electrek.co/2020/06/14/genze-closes-electric-scooter-bicycle-made-in-america/

[Dewey]

Hains Point loop closed to cyclists as the area is being used “to stage law enforcement assets”, the golf course and parks remain open.
https://hillrag.com/2020/06/04/hains-point-loop-closed-to-stage-federal-assets/
The BikeDC reddit has a thread on the closure https://www.reddit.com/r/bikedc/comments/gsepmg/haines_point_is_open/

[Dewey]

@LhasaCM 201119 wrote:

I think it’s still an open question as to how much of their fleet is being scrapped vs. redeployed by Lime.

Perhaps, but this article claims the JUMP bikes videoed being trashed in a junkyard in N. Carolina are the most deployed 5.5 model, that Uber couldn’t get the replacement 5.8 model bike which is the one loaded with DRM to work, and Uber say they only handed over their newest model bikes to Lime suggesting Lime may have only acquired a much smaller fleet of non-working prototypes, and the working JUMP bikes are being scrapped.

It is a disgusting waste, as Chaffin pointed out the JUMP model 5.5 ebikes arent the Millenium Falcon but use standard Bafang brand 250w hub motors and generic batteries, at most they simply need the GPS bloatware removing a new controller fitted, and a battery key for the new owner. Uber could have bought a ton of goodwill at relatively low cost if they had chosen to donate the JUMP ebike fleet to essential workers perhaps paying for the conversion by non-profit bicycle co-ops like Phoenix & Velocity.

[Dewey]

Good investigative journalism from Gordon Chaffin, thanks for posting!

[Dewey]

Uber decided to scrap the 20,000 JUMP electric Bikeshare fleet in the US

https://bikesharemuseum.com/20000-jump-bikes-are-going-to-die/

https://twitter.com/crismoffitt/status/1265444495488880649?s=21

[Dewey]

DC journalist Gordon Chaffin’s review of the Riide 2nd gen ebike.

https://streetjustice.substack.com/p/bike-review-28-mph-e-bike-from-dc

https://youtu.be/2c7BmfQFWI4

[Dewey]

Burley sell a seat pad for their trailers in case you want to give that a try. The Two Wheeling Tots review site does a good job describing the features of bicycle trailers, their two top recommendations the Thule Cross and Hamax Outback both feature reclining seats, seat pads, and suspension. Another solution might be the Argo bolt on front cargo box – you can remove the bench and bolt a Steco Baby Mee carrier into the floor on which you could attach a Maxi Cosi car seat facing you. I’ve also found the DC Family Biking Facebook group friendly and good for asking questions about local resources.

[Dewey]

The Post reports Uber sold JUMP ebikeshare to Lime Bike in early May. “Customers will still have access to electric Jump bikes and scooters in the Uber app, but Lime will run the operation.” The Popville blog reported JUMP bikes are temporarily unavailable to rent in the Uber App during the transition. Another Post article reports Lime is currently only able to operate in 20 of the 120 global cities in which it was operating before the pandemic.

[Dewey]

Lighter ebikes

This week ebike forums have been abuzz with chatter about the Specialized Turbo Vado SL, a lighter fitness/commuter/road ebike with a Class 3 speed pedelec mid-drive motor and smaller batteries. ebikes are not known for lightness and those are typically more expensive models such as the Specialized Turbo Creo SL or boutique brands like Desiknio, Coboc, etc. Less expensive lighter ebike models have removed weight by using less powerful Class 1 motors (eg Propella), or fragile all-in-one hub motors, or have been decontented, or simply convert light bicycles like BikeFriday’s 20″ folders. The Specialized Turbo Vado SL is an offering from one of the big three sold in bike shops that brings technology from the pricier Turbo Creo models such as a through-axle carbon fork, ‘future shock’ suspension headset on the more expensive 5.0, and a motor/internal battery setup that adds 10lb. Mail order competitors using the Bafang M800 mid-drive will appear over the summer.

In other news, from September DC based ebike brand Riide will offer a regular heavier 2nd generation Class 3 single speed model under their lease-to-own scheme.

[Dewey]

@bentbike33 200197 wrote:

Is it actually illegal for bikes to ride on the GWMP?

Yes bicycles are prohibited from the roadway, see section 4.30(a) on page 15 of https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/management/upload/GWMP-Compendium-508.pdf

[Dewey]

HB 1705 was signed by Gov Northam last Saturday April 11, source: https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=201&typ=bil&val=hb1705
This marks the end of a particularly successful year for passing bicycle and e-bike friendly legislation. To summarize, the following are now adopted into Virginia state law:

– The 3-Class People for Bikes/BPSA model e-bike legislation
– Class 1 misdemeanor for a careless or distracted driver to hit and injure a cyclist or e-bike rider on the road
– Speed cameras permitted in school or work zones
– Ban on use of handheld cell phones while driving
– Vehicle drivers now are required to stop when yielding to pedestrians, cyclists, or e-bikes at (i) crosswalks; (ii) pedestrian crossings; (iii) an intersection on a <35mph road; and no overtaking or passing a stopped vehicle giving way to other road users under these circumstances, this will enable policing problem driver behavior at intersections and crosswalks.

Good start, now hopefully the Assembly will face down the car insurance lobby next year and every year thereafter until Contributory Negligence is repealed.

[Dewey]

That’s a relief, I was worried about the CaBi+ ebikes after the County just refused an operating permit to an e-bikeshare company for this reason, I think it was likely Helbiz who were granted a permit to operate in Alexandria.
The County will need to revise the Code to reflect the new 750W power limit.

[Dewey]

@Sunyata 198982 wrote:

Hmm. Interesting that the bill requires Class III operators to wear a helmet. I am curious to know how (or how often) that will be enforced.

Also the new state law requires Class 3 ebikes to have a speedometer, but does not mention Class 1 & 2, whereas Arlington County regulations require all ebikes to have a speedo – that includes bikeshare so I’m hoping someone in the County sent a copy of the County requirements to Lyft/Motivate who are planning to redeploy a Capital Bikeshare ebike fleet this spring.

Another state requirement from next year is a label indicating the ebike Class, continuous rated power in watts, & maximum speed setting in the controller:
§ 46.2-904.1
C.1. On and after January 1, 2021, manufacturers and distributors of electric power-assisted bicycles shall permanently affix a label, in a prominent location, to each electric power-assisted bicycle that they manufacture or distribute. The label shall contain the classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage of the electric power-assisted bicycle and shall be printed in Arial font in at least nine-point type.
D. No person shall tamper with or modify an electric power-assisted bicycle so as to change the motor-powered speed capability or engagement of an electric power-assisted bicycle, unless the label required by subdivision C 1 is replaced after modification.

Class/power/speed labels/decals are fairly common now on ebikes sold through bike shops, but are sometimes absent from mail-order ebikes, and usually absent from e-bike kits. There are after-market retailers from whom you can purchase the labels eg Bolton. I am not a lawyer but my reading is a label from the manufacturer or distributor is only required at the point of sale, the rider can then apply a new label if they subsequently change the power/speed controller settings or add/remove a throttle to change the ebike Class, for example Juiced Bikes supply bikes in Class 2 configuration but provide instructions for changing the settings to a Class 3 and you can peel off the Class 2 label to reveal a Class 3 label underneath if so chosen. Ebikes with Bosch motors do not permit the rider to change the power/speed controller settings, Bosch have enabled software that detect if a rider tries to circumvent the settings by adding an after-market power/speed chip that disable the controller, brick the motor, and invalidate the warranty. Also the new state law requires all ebikes to have brake activated motor inhibitors, some kits don’t come with them but they’re easily available.

[Dewey]

Arlington County just refused an E-bikeshare operating license to a bikeshare company because their ebikes lack a speedo required under County regulation. Somebody please inform Lyft/Motivate their upcoming CaBi+ ebikes will need a speedo to operate in Arlington.

[Dewey]

@Dewey 197942 wrote:

there’s no speedo which is odd as its required to have a speed reading visible to the rider to operate an ebike in Arlington and soon in the state of Virginia.

…Arlington County just refused an E-bikeshare operating license for this reason. Somebody please inform Lyft/Motivate their upcoming CaBi+ ebikes will need a speedo to operate in Arlington.

[Author]

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