Addressing Electric Bicycles

Earlier this week Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3) held a hearing on a newly proposed law that would try to straighten out the confusing rules defining various kinds of non-traditional vehicles like scooters, mopeds and segways and the laws that apply to them.

Part of the law would redefine what is and is not a motorized bicycle

While currently a motorized bicycle is anything that can't go over 35 miles per hour, Gray's bill would make the definition more specific: two or three 16-inch wheels, fully functional pedals and not be able to exceed 20 miles per hour. And in a big change, owners wouldn't have to register them, get licensed to use them or purchase insurance for them. And as provided for in the current regulations, they'd be able to use bike lanes, park on the sidewalk and their users wouldn't have to wear a helmet.

Those who ride mopeds and motor scooters - anything that can not be human powered - would be required to buy insurance, register with the Department of Motor Vehicles and—in some cases—obtain motorcycle licenses. It would also prohibit scooters from parking on the sidewalk. 

The Bicycle Advisory Council has been considering this change in law, and most agree that some clearer definitions are needed in light of ever-evolving technology. And most agree on the issues as they relate to bicycling, but the specifics are harder to agree on. The issues are:

Parking: The current law actually goes farther than the council thought it had to. The general thought was we didn't mind sharing bike parking with scooters, but there needs to be a lot more parking available. Maybe part of the registration fee for scooters could be dedicated to installing bike parking. That might be a better solution than segregating the parking facilities because it would be more flexible. If there is a lot of parking that bikes and scooters can use, that's better than some for bikes and some for scooters with neither being able to use the other for spillover parking. 

Bike lanes: There was strong agreement that vehicles that can't be pedaled do not belong in the bike lane, but there was some question about using the motor power of an electric bike while in the bike lane. The easier bright line is to say that bike lanes are for pedalling. If you want to use your motor, get in the all-traffic lanes. But what about electric-assist, which uses a battery to help you while pedalling? Should that be allowed in the bike lane? Or what about using a motor to go up a steep hill? Since the concern is really about excessive speed in the bike lane could we best achieve that goal by setting a lower speed limit for bike lanes? Related ly, all seem to agree that motor use is inappropriate on sidewalks. 

MUPs: This issue largely mimics the bike lane issue but, because trails also have pedestrians, they may require more limitations. Maybe no motors at all. Maybe no motor use (so you can bring an electric-assist bike, but you can use the motor). Maybe a lower speed limit is needed. 

There is a need to balance concerns about safety, encouraging active transportation - even when it's less active, enabling transportation options and yet protecting the limited space that cyclists and pedestrians have. 

I have my thoughts on all these issues, but the BAC is considering testimony for the October 30th deadline and it would be instructive to hear what the wider bicycling community thinks. 

Comments

[SJE]

I think we need to consider not just the bike v others problem, but whether getting people on power-assisted bikes can get them out of their cars. I'd rather older folks riding a 40 lb bike versus driving 4000lb cars.

How to balance this: thats hard. I don't want motorcycles zooming on the CCT. At the same time, if a power assist is what it takes to get grandpa out and riding, and its not going to go fast, he should be allowed on CCT.

[GMB]

It's great that we're having this conversation, in part because e-bikes (electric assist bikes that fit the definition in the relevant federal statute) are a great way to expand cycling, especially in our area.

I'm an avid bike commuter, but morning sickness, exacerbated by exertion, threatened to curtail my commuting during this pregnancy. Luckily, I have an ebike, which has allowed me to keep pedaling, now at 37 weeks.

My ebike is heavy and clunky, and even with the motor, doesn't go very fast. However, the motor does make it easier to start from a stop and get up hills. Because its easier to start from a stop, ebikes encourage safer riding -- it's less of a big deal to stop completely at the stop sign/stop light, to slow down that extra second until it's safe to pass someone on a trail, etc.

[Greenbelt]

I'm fine with ebikes in bike lanes and on MUPs. I'm fine with speed limits on MUPs, in case some joker gets ideas about a super-powered ebike. Please get the scooters out of the bike lanes, though, even the low-powered ones. Bike lanes for pedaling only (including electric assist pedaling).

[charlie]

The problem is enforcement.

Right now e-bikes are distinctive enough, but in 5 years?

So, allow them into bike lanes but have speed limits.

I think the problem isn't so much absolute speed, but speed wherre you are not expectiing a bike to move so quickly. I was walking downhill on the custis, saw a bike a while away, didn't pay attention because he had to go uphill. He zoomed by me at 20 MPH -- old guy on a e-bike.

Bigger issue is getting joggers, segways and people with baby-vans out of the bike lanes.

[david]

The problem is the lanes. They are seldom wide enough they should be 8 ft for cycle two way traffic.

[oboe]

What do they do elsewhere?

I'm always surprised that with thousands and thousands of municipalities in this country, we have to reinvent the wheel every single time we move to pass legislation.

[T]

"two or three 16-inch wheels, fully functional pedals and not be able to exceed 20 miles per hour"

Umm, I can easily exceed 20mph commuting on my bike and often do on some downhill stretches, but I have no electric or motorized assitance. Would this make me in violation of her legislation?

Things I don't like in the bike lane: cars (obvious), segways (particularly tours), motorcycles/mopeds, strollers, pedestrians who jaywalk forgetting we're a lane of traffic and joggers. I don't care about ebikes.

I generally think the city would be wise to not disenfranchise any bikes (ebikers or otherwise) and should probably be as supportive as possible of mopeds/motorcycles (so long as they're not in the bike lane) because all of these folks drastically reduce traffic.

While we're at it. Let's dream of the impossible and extend the 15th cycletrack down to Constitution Ave. Tourist buses can let off on the other side of Constitution and folks can walk. Or on the other side of 15th. But it's so annoying to deal with the traffic there (and folks literally turning into you to go right at Constitution) or the Secret Service randomly saying don't ride in the ellipse.

[JJJ]

Off topic but I recently wrote about my trip to DC and wondered if anyone here had any thoughts on the matter?

http://stopandmove.blogspot.com/2012/10/thoughts-about-dc-mostly-biking.html

[PhilK.]

IMNSHO, vehicles like this should be divided into 4 categories:

Electric bikes = functional pedaling, limited to no more than 20MPH/750W; should be treated like bicycles.

Moped = pedalable, but higher defined speed (? MPH),should have helmet/eyewear required, std. drivers license needed to operate; park in bike racks, no driving in bike lanes.

Scooter = power only (limited MPH/HP?), all requirements of moped + registration/insurance; park in bike racks (?).

Motorcycle = full motor vehicle treatment; park in street.

Segways/golf-cart-types maybe should also be addressed in the same legislation?

FWIW- Fed regs say that sub-20MPH & 750W top power limits w/functional pedals is a bike, so that seems like a good standard to start with. Especially given "`(d) This section shall supersede any State law or requirement with respect to low-speed electric bicycles to the extent that such State law or requirement is more stringent than the Federal law or requirements referred to in subsection (a).'." So, states/DC can set looser limits on what an e-bike is, but not tighter ones.

[Craigsquirrel]

I've been e-bike commuting 30 miles round trip for about 1 ½ years now. I’m healthy, fit and not a grandpa. For the record I used to be an avid mountain biker and a part time bike commuter. It's encouraging to hear such a reasonable approach to e-bikes by the politicians.

E-bikes are a game changer in that there are many benefits over unassisted bikes and cars. The end result is that one can commute using what is essentially a bicycle much more readily. As people catch onto this fact it will result in more of the positive effect to the riders, community and nation that bicycling brings.

As GMB pointed out it is far easier to obey the intersection laws and be extra courteous to pedestrians while on e-bikes. It’s actually fun to accelerate from a stop or slow speed on an e-bike as opposed to something to avoid.

For me the key is the shorter commute time in to work (about 1/3 less than unassisted), ability to ride in my work clothes (including full suit if need be) and no need to shower upon arrival at work. Even on full assist in the mornings in I am pedaling the whole way and therefore getting the equivalent of walking an hour.

As to speeds, e-bikes top out at either 15 or 18-20mph (model dependant) with maximum assist on and on flat ground. For hills you will not go that fast but it is still quicker than normal peddling as Charlie astutely pointed out. Same goes for strong headwinds. You know those ones where you are pedaling like mad but it feels like you are stuck in a dream where you can’t run. Riding an e-bike you actually end up positively exhilarated as you ride right into the wind at speed and it’s rushing by your ears!

Even with complete stops at intersections and going slow by pedestrians the quick acceleration up to a sustained 18-20 on open stretch of roads really cuts down on commute time. As to stopping the extra weight of e-bikes they almost all wisely come standard with disk brakes. Of course hydraulic on upper end ones.

A commonly overlooked option regarding e-bikes is riding with minimal or no assist. For my rides home from work and I change into casual biking clothes and shoes. The ride is a relaxed and pleasant one at a slow to moderate speed while I get a nice normal biking workout. All in all e-bikes just use electromechanical technology to give you great options to how you ride. Consider that technology in light frames, smooth bearings, fast tires and even performance clothing is used by many bike enthusiasts towards going faster and farther with less effort.

I am heartened to see all the productive comments on today’s post and will do my part as an e-bike rider to promote a fun, safe and positive outlook on biking every day.

[Anonymous]

Like Craigsquirrel, I am neither a grandpa nor unfit. I put electric assist on my bike because I was tired of showing up to social engagements all sweaty and gross. Love, love, love my electric assist. LOVE IT! It tops out at 15 mph, so there is no reason that it shouldn't be allowed wherever other bikes are allowed.

[PhilK.]

Meant to also post link to Fed Regs:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c107:5:./temp/~c1076jnO09::

[Phil Schwartz]

As a pedestrian and a bicyclist I have some questions about how Segways are treated.

Why is it that riding on sidewalks in the Central Business District is forbidden for bicycles but allowed for Segways?

Segways are more of a threat to pedestrians than bicycles. They are faster and heavier. In DC they are usually ridden by tourists who are Segway newbies.

I worked across the street from one of companies that rents Segways. Twice on my lunch break I saw a sight-seeing Segway rider bang into an unsuspecting pedestrian.

Now that DC has a few years of real world experience with Segways wouldn't it be appropriate to re-visit the law that permits them on sidewalks? Perhaps what the Segway lobbyists told City Council didn't turn out to be true.

[washcycle]

Phil,

Segways are not allowed on sidewalks within the CBD, same as bicycles. Follow the second link in the post to the DCist site where they have the current laws.

[JJJJJ]

Actually segways are allowed as a mobility aid for the disabled, and since federal law prohibits requiring proof of disability, theyre allowed, just as an electric wheelchair is.