E-bike restrictions must keep all path users safe I agree with the recently published letter by Mary Neilan, whose brother died after a collision with someone on an electric-assist bicycle. I applaud the efforts by California and Marin to promote e-bike safety. However, like Neilan, I know 10- to 15-year-olds are not the only safety concern.
As a bike commuter and avid runner, I have had several close calls with adults who appeared to be riding class 1 e-bikes on paths. They did not indicate they were approaching and did not leave enough space for passing. I’ve also seen people doing high-speed wheelies for long distances along the path.
All that behavior is unsafe. I believe the speed and weight of these bikes makes them dangerous for pedestrians and other bikers, as well as for the riders themselves. I think Marin should require registration for all electric vehicles that go faster than 15 mph and training (for a mandated certification), regardless of age.
This would include an online course and in-person assessment. Both of these processes could be run through bike shops or other knowledgeable entities in Marin, which would charge a fee for this service. Marin should also ban class 2 and class 3 e-bikes from all paths unless there is not a reasonable alternative.
I think a “reasonable alternative” would be a road with a bike lane or a road with a speed limit of no more than 25 mph. It is only a matter of time before other injuries and deaths occur involving e-bikes. .
