Considering eBike for my wife - The Chainlink2024-03-29T15:21:01Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/considering-ebike-for-my-wife?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A1063379&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noAnd it gives municipalities t…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-09-08:2211490:Comment:10757752017-09-08T19:12:44.210ZTom A.K.https://thechainlink.org/profile/TomKrystyn
And it gives municipalities the option of banning some E-Bikes depending ultimately upon the behavior of those users on individual trails.
And it gives municipalities the option of banning some E-Bikes depending ultimately upon the behavior of those users on individual trails. Thanks for the update. I'm a…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-09-08:2211490:Comment:10755232017-09-08T18:39:30.223ZJim Rehohttps://thechainlink.org/profile/JimReho
<p>Thanks for the update. I'm a bit dismayed. In the absence of, say, a municipal ordinance to the contrary, this statute makes any electrically-motorized scooter that goes up to 20 miles an hour an e-bike, even if it can't be pedaled at all. Also, it would allow e-bikes capable of going 28 miles an hour to be on bike paths. This is just what I thought would happen -- allowing motor scooters on bikeways everywhere, and excessively fast ones to boot. Clearly a product of the e-bike lobby. …</p>
<p>Thanks for the update. I'm a bit dismayed. In the absence of, say, a municipal ordinance to the contrary, this statute makes any electrically-motorized scooter that goes up to 20 miles an hour an e-bike, even if it can't be pedaled at all. Also, it would allow e-bikes capable of going 28 miles an hour to be on bike paths. This is just what I thought would happen -- allowing motor scooters on bikeways everywhere, and excessively fast ones to boot. Clearly a product of the e-bike lobby. </p> https://www.bikelaw.com/2017/…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-09-08:2211490:Comment:10756152017-09-08T06:29:38.691ZTom A.K.https://thechainlink.org/profile/TomKrystyn
<a href="https://www.bikelaw.com/2017/08/new-illinois-e-bike-law/" target="_blank">https://www.bikelaw.com/2017/08/new-illinois-e-bike-law/</a><br />
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E-Bike Update !
<a href="https://www.bikelaw.com/2017/08/new-illinois-e-bike-law/" target="_blank">https://www.bikelaw.com/2017/08/new-illinois-e-bike-law/</a><br />
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E-Bike Update ! My brother purchased an eBike…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-06-26:2211490:Comment:10633792017-06-26T17:09:31.943ZBrian Marquishttps://thechainlink.org/profile/BrianMarquis
My brother purchased an eBike - a Sondors. It was fascinating to ride. It would assist up to 20mph. Above that, it provided no assistance at all, creating a very effective governor.<br />
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I opted not to buy her an eBike as she was in too much pain to even ride it. And I feared that I would be tempted to use it on my commutes, negating a large part of my training.<br />
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If we can get Brenda's pain under control, I might reconsider. She ended up with a new iPad for her birthday.
My brother purchased an eBike - a Sondors. It was fascinating to ride. It would assist up to 20mph. Above that, it provided no assistance at all, creating a very effective governor.<br />
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I opted not to buy her an eBike as she was in too much pain to even ride it. And I feared that I would be tempted to use it on my commutes, negating a large part of my training.<br />
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If we can get Brenda's pain under control, I might reconsider. She ended up with a new iPad for her birthday. Did not realise that there wa…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-06-26:2211490:Comment:10627652017-06-26T05:19:29.003Zyaco boobieshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/yacoboobies
<p>Did not realise that there was an age restriction of 16. I wonder why they did that as an e-bike with a 20 mph limit is classified as a bicycle and no plates/license requirement. I could see if plates/license were required how that would eliminate the under 16 crowd. That seems unfair to some of the under 16 kids who for many reasons need a pedal assist bike.</p>
<p>There is a little bit of what I would call mis-information in the article when they mention a bike going 28 mph. If it can do…</p>
<p>Did not realise that there was an age restriction of 16. I wonder why they did that as an e-bike with a 20 mph limit is classified as a bicycle and no plates/license requirement. I could see if plates/license were required how that would eliminate the under 16 crowd. That seems unfair to some of the under 16 kids who for many reasons need a pedal assist bike.</p>
<p>There is a little bit of what I would call mis-information in the article when they mention a bike going 28 mph. If it can do that without pedal assist in Illinois it is no longer a bicycle, but a moped or scooter and that means a drivers license and plates requirement.</p>
<p></p> Brian - any update? Has she…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-06-26:2211490:Comment:10627632017-06-26T03:03:54.265ZPaul Lazzarohttps://thechainlink.org/profile/PaulLazzaro
<p>Brian - any update? Has she gotten an ebike? If so, how does she like it?</p>
<p>Brian - any update? Has she gotten an ebike? If so, how does she like it?</p> http://my.chicagotribune.com/…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-06-25:2211490:Comment:10629792017-06-25T21:16:11.015ZTom A.K.https://thechainlink.org/profile/TomKrystyn
<a href="http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/890/article/p2p-93941640/" target="_blank">http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/890/article/p2p-93941640/</a><br />
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Recent article and info from the weekend Midwest E-bike Expo in Lincolnwood.
<a href="http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/890/article/p2p-93941640/" target="_blank">http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/890/article/p2p-93941640/</a><br />
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Recent article and info from the weekend Midwest E-bike Expo in Lincolnwood. EBikes are legal to ride in b…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-05-01:2211490:Comment:10529152017-05-01T02:24:56.423ZBrian Marquishttps://thechainlink.org/profile/BrianMarquis
EBikes are legal to ride in bike lanes and on Chicago's Lake Front Trail. Because they are limited to a top speed of 20 mph and have operable pedals they are treated like bicycles according to Illinois state law.<br></br>
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Two wheeled vehicles which cannot be pedaled or which can exceed 20mph are classified as scooters (or motorcycles) and require both plates and endorsed licenses.<br></br>
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If, as suggested, certain trails are not safe for eBikes, the issue is really not the ebike. It would…
EBikes are legal to ride in bike lanes and on Chicago's Lake Front Trail. Because they are limited to a top speed of 20 mph and have operable pedals they are treated like bicycles according to Illinois state law.<br/>
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Two wheeled vehicles which cannot be pedaled or which can exceed 20mph are classified as scooters (or motorcycles) and require both plates and endorsed licenses.<br/>
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If, as suggested, certain trails are not safe for eBikes, the issue is really not the ebike. It would be traveling too fast down a crowded or difficult trail. Slowing down all riders on those sections would make more sense.<br/>
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What's so hard about posting signage or adding speed control devices where needed?<br />
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Here is a link to the Illinois statute: <a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-1516" target="_blank">http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-1516</a> Very thoughtful post!tag:thechainlink.org,2017-04-30:2211490:Comment:10529772017-04-30T05:11:57.043ZJim Rehohttps://thechainlink.org/profile/JimReho
<p>Very thoughtful post!</p>
<p>Very thoughtful post!</p> Your correct. The problem is…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-04-30:2211490:Comment:10528162017-04-30T04:15:22.902Zyaco boobieshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/yacoboobies
<p>Your correct. The problem is really that once you allow e-bikes you allow for people to really behave badly. To pedal fast you have built up skills to handle that bicycle. Anybody can jump on a motorized bike. I own an e-bike. I bought it for my now deceased father to assist pedal up hills which became harder in his eighties. </p>
<p>Let me tell you - nobody really pedals these things. They are in many senses un-licensed versions of mopeds. And once you allow them be prepared as they get…</p>
<p>Your correct. The problem is really that once you allow e-bikes you allow for people to really behave badly. To pedal fast you have built up skills to handle that bicycle. Anybody can jump on a motorized bike. I own an e-bike. I bought it for my now deceased father to assist pedal up hills which became harder in his eighties. </p>
<p>Let me tell you - nobody really pedals these things. They are in many senses un-licensed versions of mopeds. And once you allow them be prepared as they get better and cheaper they will flood the bike paths & trails with users. Real cyclists will become the minority and might become marginalized just like what happened with paved roads when cars became cheap and affordable </p>
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<p>I'd also would like to tell the OP that he is incorrect in his statement that they are legal on trails. I know they are not allowed on the IPP/Fox River Trail/Great Western Trail. I don't know of any trail that allows motorized vehicles around here - and that is what an e-bike is considered. Now I'm sure that there very well may be some that do allow them.</p>
<p>Especially in states like CA where electric bikes are more common. I've been a big trail activist for 40 years and I know that one much debated issue has been electric wheel chairs / mobility carts. This is a much more complex issue as the folks using these aren't going to be using them to go faster and cut off self propelled users. But they do cause other issues in fact because of their size and the dexterity of the users to manuever them and ability to react to other users. A majority of the suburban trails are limestone screened. This is because it is cheaper and easier to maintain than asphalt. It is also because of the horse riding contingent as horses don't like asphalt - hard on the hoofs. But wheelchair - electric scooter etc users want the asphalt as it is much more friendly to them. And these are just a couple issues. It is really much more complex than one might think and I find myself during these discussions with government officials and the other stake holders going back and forth. As trails get more crowded many of the problems start to resemble what you see on the roadway. Difference in speed become magnified. There has been a contingent in the suburban set and some government types pushing for speed limits. These are not aimed at the electric users but at many of the fast road riders that have discovered the trails as an alternative without cars for fast training rides. That is a conflict for the mom out on the trail pulling a wagon with a two year old in it followed by a 4 year old riding a bike with training wheels and a 6 year old riding a two wheeler and displaying the handling abilites a new to no training wheels rider is going to have. I have seen this accident happen when a guy doing what I would say was 25-27 mph came around a blind corner and plowed into them. It was bad. Now I'm a fast rider who can do a sub 4 hour century but I never ride faster than 20 on the trails and stay off them during the prime time for kids. I'm not a fan of speed limits (and enforcement would be highly selective at best) but you can see how complex regulating trails can get. Electric bikes are just beginning to be an item. As they grow in numbers they will become more of an issue. Many trails use federal money meant for lowering congestion/pollution on the roadways as well as money for more commuting options. Electric bike users could very well argue that they are part of lowering congestion/pollution as so if fed funds were used for a trail they then would be entitled to use that trail. Something that nobody would have thought of say 20 years ago. It will be interesting to see how this all sorts itself out over the next 20 years.</p>