YankeeRider

Of course pedestrians should watch out for their own safety - it's their body! That said, in most locales, on shared walk/ride trails as well as roads, pedestrians have the right of way, because the bike is considerably faster and considered more maneuverable, so according to the definition of the regulations, the responsibility is not symmetrical. I think it's analogous to how on the water, a motor boat should yield to a sailboat - the slower, less maneuverable sailboat has the right of way.

These are state laws in Massachusetts anyway:

• You must give pedestrians the right of way.
• You must give pedestrians an audible signal before overtaking or passing them.

https://www.massbike.org/laws

Is this only in Massachusetts?

linberl

I'm not talking about right of way. I'm talking about pedestrians who are walking on the path and without looking around change direction right in front of you! i've had it happen more times than I can count. Even if I'm only going 10 miles an hour if a pedestrian steps in front of me, that's a problem. The most common situation is they are standing OFF the trail talking to a friend and then just step right into the path way without even looking left or right. Are we supposed to ring bells at every person standing anywhere near a pathway because they just might decide to walk into it? It's no different that someone who jaywalks into traffic - the drivers always blame the pedestrian - but when that driver is on a shared pathway they take zero responsibility for their own safety. And they don't listen for bells, they have earbuds in and can't hear. It should be illegal for pedestrians to block both ears on a shared path just like it's illegal for cyclists to wear both earbuds. The reasoning is the same. There are constant signs about ringing bells and slowing down but not ONE sign bout walking on the right side instead of in the middle or listening for bells or looking around before changing direction. The burden is 100% on cyclists from all appearances and it should not be - it is a designed SHARED path - and pedestrians need to take SOME responsibility for their safety. Ca. law actually states they have to be responsible: Section 21966 - Prohibited use of bicycle path by pedestrian; no stop absent immediate danger(a) A pedestrian shall not proceed along a bicycle path or lane where there is an adjacent adequate pedestrian facility.(b)(1) A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, shall not stop a pedestrian for a violation of subdivision (a) unless a reasonably careful person would realize there is an immediate danger of a collision with a moving vehicle or other device moving exclusively by human power.(2) This subdivision does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care for their safety.(3) This subdivision does not relieve a bicyclist from the duty of exercising due care for the safety of any pedestrian within the roadway. But they just act oblivious and entitled and that behavior actually endangers cyclists.

2old

It might be useful to point out that the max assisted speed on bike paths in states which have adopted the "Class" system is 20 mph, and the 28 mph limit is PAS only on a road or bike lane contiguous with one.

tds101 

While riding my (now sold) RipRacer on streets w/traffic rodies would zoom past me doing 30+ MPH all the time. The same thing when I ride my Fiido L3, which is maxed at 19-20 mph. But, as ALWAYS, lets singularly focus on the a*****s riding ebikes, shall we? The riders are the issue, plain and simple. I obey traffic laws, the rodies don't. Maybe I should be getting all the traffic tickets. BAN ME! That seems to be the mentality.

As for mixed use paths, look at videos of idiot pedestrians on the Williamsburg Bridge, who've been banned from the bike path side of the bridge, but cause major issues by ignoring the rules and causing accidents on the DAILY! It's clearly marked, and they block bikes and escooter riders by standing directly in the lanes and get angry when confronted (mUh RigHtS!). Yup, BAN ALL ELECTRIC VEHICLES I SAY!!! (Same **** conversation, different day...)

MarcusT

I've seen many examples of why strict ebike laws are passed in N. America. Many ebike users are people who either lost or cannot obtain a driver's license or an auto.
They buy the throttle motorbike looking scooters and use it as their main transportation. They do not follow traffic codes. They run stop signs, red lights and ride on sidewalks. There are numerous collisions with pedestrians and other vehicles.
It becomes a problem when the riders create it.
Europe saw the future and tackled it immediately.
Max speed-25kmh
Max motor 250w
Presently no bans, but they need to tackle the e-scooters taking over many tourist spots

shelbyfv

I didn't know about this, seems a good idea. It would be fair to limit the motor to 150W, which would put the ebiker on par with the casual rider even if he was able to contribute nothing. At the other end, casual rider+150W motor, you have tandem power which isn't too far out of line. 750W motors put the motorbike in an entirely different category than "cycling."

Roll On1

I commute by ebike almost everyday. In my opinion, the "pros" that wear spandex riding regular bicycles are much more aggressive and ride faster than ebikes.

linberl

That 150w motor would be entirely useless on my recumbent trike. 35lbs for the trike, add 8 lbs for battery and 10 pounds for motor. And since my trike is what I use instead of an automobile, it's not a toy or recreational device. It's transportation.

shelbyfv

Doubling your power even with an 18# penalty hardly seems useless.

linberl

It is. A 250w motor on my old 2 wheeler was just enough to get me up the overpasses if I stood up while pedaling. that bike weighed 25lbs. You misunderstand if you think the #s are are 1:1 addition. It's not the watts that are the issue, it is the speed (and the moron users amongst us). I think I went over 15mph one or two times, to a whopping speed of 17mph, when I was late for a doctor's appointment - and this was in bike lanes on the street not a pathway. I usually am between 10-12mph on pathways. Just like we treat those who choose to speed in cars (which can go 100mph+ for what reason?), we need to ticket speeders. Not ban devices. If that's the right approach then why do we allow cars to be built that can go over 100 mph? I have a throttle on my PAS trike, too. It has saved my life several times, getting me quickly out of the way of dangerous drivers. A 150w motor would not have done that. I was hit 2 months ago by a driver who went thru a stop sign and turned left into me when I was stopped at my stop sign - that throttle allowed me to turn sideways to avoid broken legs.

maddog34

just talking to a biker buddy that bought a "Bafang 1000 watt Ebike" kit for a project... $879, shipped... it's a crank motor setup, "Easy To Install"

i'll be installing it after he tries..
i'll check back with a report... it's going on a pedi-car with a plexiglass windshield/roof...., not a bike.

shelbyfv

^^That will be a blast. I've ridden a 750W conversion, power even a pro could only dream of on a climb!

znomit

And 18lb is trivial once you add in the rider weight too.