#fireroad

On January 23rd, over 50 electric bicyclists and friends of electric bicycles came together at the Marin Board of Supervisors to argue against a proposed ban by the Marin County Parks District. Our message was simple: electric bicycles are an amazing technology that ought to be understood and promoted, not banned and vilified. At the very least, more study should be done to understand how electric bicycles can bolster the transportation and recreation network of Marin County.

The amazing turnout, combined with a successful email and phone campaign that we helped organized the week before, convinced all five County Supervisors not only that the prohibition was poorly conceived, but that electric bicycles are vital to achieving County Government’s stated objectives of promoting a healthy, active community, fighting traffic congestion and pollution from cars, and working to slow the rate of climate change.

More work to be done

Our work helping Marin County Supervisors understand the benefits of electric bicycles is not over. Tuesday’s meeting was an important first step, but there is still lots of work to be done. We must educate the general public, and  put pressure on our elected officials to do the right thing. Karen and Brett will be working directly with Marin County Parks to help steer progress on this particular bill. 

Leading by example

In order to have the maximum positive impact in our community, it is vitally important that we each comport ourselves as electric bicycle users in a responsible and aware manner.

We know that electric bicycles are just bicycles with a pedal-assisted boost, but there are many who have not ridden an electric bicycle yet and do not understand this amazing technology. Many people make the assumptio that electric bicycles are similar to heavy scooters, and should thus be confined only to spaces shared with automobiles. 

It is incumbent upon all of us to do everything we can to educate those who are concerned about potential risks around the use of pedal-assist bicycles. It is imperative that we show through example that this is not a technology to fear, but rather one to embrace. That it is human in scale, friendly, and approachable, and opens up bicycle use for both practical purposes and for pleasure.  

So when you're riding, don't forget: 

Keep it friendly: Slow down and greet those on other bicycles or  traveling by foot. It's easy to slow and accelerate on an ebike, so there's no excuse not to be kind and aware!  

Know the rules: as early adopters, we must lead by example when we ride. As an ebike rider, it’s important to remember what class of bike you’re riding and where that bike can legally go. 

Ride for the future: Stay organized for success. We've attached a few resources below for your reference. And we’ve started a Bay Area Electric Bicyclists Facebook group to help us all stay in touch.

Here Are Some Resources

California Laws:

Class 1 electric bicycles assist the rider’s pedaling up to a maximum speed of 20mph.  

Class 2 electric bicycles assist the rider up to 20 mph with pedal assist OR a throttle.

Class 3 electric bicycles assist the rider’s pedaling up to a maximum speed of 28mph

This pamphlet from People for Bikes explains current electric bicycle rules in California, which include:

Always follow posted rules of the road.

Most multi-use bicycle paths have a speed limit of 15 mph

Ride in bicycle lanes and paths and not on sidewalks

Be courteous to pedestrians, equestrians, and other cyclists

Ring your bell well in advance to let others know you’re passing

Smile and be friendly! :)

Let’s stay organized

MMWD Public Meeting

6pm, Tuesday Dec. 11th

Corte Madera Community Center 498 Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera, CA 94925.

What is This Ebike Meeting About?

Marin Municipal Watershed District (MMWD) is holding a meeting to collect feedback from the community about ebike use on MMWD fire roads.  

Please come to the meeting on Tuesday December 11th to show your support so that ebike riders can continue to use these fire roads.

How Can You Ensure Equal Access For All?

Attend the MMWD meeting on Tuesday December 11th.

Fill out the comment cards at the MMWD meeting.

Send your comments in to MMWD via email - see end of this email for instructions.

Rally one or more friends, family or colleagues to speak up and show that a wide range of ebikers need access to MMWD fire roads.

Ebikes in Marin Are Used By All Kinds of People

Mobility-challenged individuals

Mobility-challenged riders deserve equal access to trails

Ebikes allow riders with issues like knee, back or heart problems to continue to exercise safely

Ebikes help people recover from injury as part of a low-impact exercise and rehab plans

Senior Bikers

Ebikes enable people to get out and ride, even if they aren’t in shape for Marin’s hills

Ebikes allow Marin’s MANY Seniors to continue to bike with friends and maintain their fitness

More people need to get out and exercise to improve our collective community health

Off-road biking can be safer for the riders and the community than biking on the street

Families and kids out for exercise

Support families who get out of their cars and use e-bikes to ride together

Support families who choose to bicycle together off of streets and away from cars

Family members of differing physical capabilities can enjoy a bike ride together

Commuters

Let’s support people who get out of their cars and get to work without clogging roads

MMDW fire roads provide links between our towns so that riders can commute, shop or visit friends

MMWD fire roads provide a safer alternative to mixing bikers and cars on busy streets

Ebikes help to level the ride through hilly Marin and make commuting by bike practical

State Law Treats Class 1 Ebikes as Regular Bikes

According to California law, an electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. Ebikes are regulated like bicycles. The same rules of the road apply to both ebikes and regular bicycles.

Class 1 electric bicycles, or "low speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle[s]" have motors that provide assistance only at speeds below 20mph.

Assembly Bill 1096 provided for the Vehicle Code section above. It contains important language that deals with the use of electric bicycles on trails. As interpreted, that bill indicates that, unless prohibited, Class 1 and 2 ebikes are permitted on trails. This has led to many agencies taking steps to regulate ebikes on trails.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast do electric mountain bicycles (eMTBs) go, and are they dangerous?

They are not excessively fast, and, in the case of Class 1 and 1 eMTB’s, only reach a top speed of 20mph. This is not much above the legal speed of muscle-powered mountain bicycles, which is 15mph. Normal mountain bicycles go just as fast downhill. When traveling uphill, eMTBs are marginally faster than normal mountain bicycles. All riders need significant effort to get to top speed, including traditional and eMTB riders. Fast and slow riders have been getting along for decades.

Are eMTBs heavier than regular mountain bicycles?

They may weigh 20-25 pounds more. Different riders of mountain bicycles and eMTBs may easily differ in their weight by similar amounts.

Are eMTBs a greater hazard than regular mountain bicycles?

The greatest hazards arise from speed, coupled with extra weight. In downhill directions, the hazards of eMTBs and regular mountain bikes are very similar, particularly given the speed that the motor cuts off, and differing weights of riders of all bicycles.

Do eMTBs have a greater impact on trails than regular mountain bicycles?

No. The International Mountain Bicycling Association performed a study that found that the impacts from Class 1 eMTBs and traditional mountain bicycles are not significantly different. It concluded that with "conscientious management and attention to trail design," Class 1 eMTBs may have the potential to offer a beneficial use of public lands with acceptable impacts. Land managers who have experience with eMTBs on their trails generally confirm this. Wider tires and lower inflations significantly reduce erosion on trails.

Does use of eMTBs run the risk of leaving bicyclists stranded when there are failures in technology, such as when a battery fails?