By Dustyn Thompson
All around the country, electric modes of transportation are increasingly becoming the go-to method of traveling from point A to point B. While many people hear electrification they automatically think about the recent surge in electric cars, but for many in our nation's largest cities, cars - be they electric or otherwise - are simply not practical or necessary.
In these cities, electrified scooters and bicycles are all the rave. So much so that many have started legislating their usage, some even going so far as to ban them outright!
So, what’s the big deal with electric bikes and scooters? Are they a fad, a nuisance, or the future of personal transportation?
The truth is, it depends on who you ask, where you are located, and which device you are addressing.
For those who live within a mile or so of popular destinations, e-scooters and e-bikes can really cut down on car usage, reduce the embarrassment of showing up to your destination sweaty and gross, or reliance on public transit. If you are over 2-3 miles, the likelihood of being able to forgo owning a vehicle is probably pretty low.
If you do happen to live in that sweet spot, chances are you have seen your neighbors cruising around town on one of these electric devices. For some cities, e-bikes and e-scooters have really helped decrease congestion on the roads and created a new market for ride share companies.
Yet, for other cities, e-scooters in particular have become a plague of epic proportions. Reports of ride share-based e-scooters being left in the middle of nowhere, or even in the middle of the road, coupled with the slew of injuries and fatalities related to folks operating them under the influence of alcohol, has left some municipalities frustrated and in a tough spot. Some jurisdictions have banned them completely.
So what is Delaware doing about e-scooters and e-bikes?
Well, it seems as though e-scooters are not likely coming to Delaware anytime soon to the degree that states like California and Colorado have experienced.
E-bikes, on the other hand, are becoming increasingly popular. So much so that Delaware is in the midst of passing legislation to regulate the devices.
House Bill 19, sponsored by Rep. Valerie Longhurst (pictured left) would, among other things, set a standard definition for the three types of e-bikes.
According to the legislation:
a. “Class 1 electric bicycle” shall mean an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour or less. According to the legislation:
b. “Class 2 electric bicycle” shall mean an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour or less.
c. “Class 3 electric bicycle” shall mean an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of no less than 20 miles per hour and no more than 28 miles per hour.
The bill also states that e-bikes need to be operated using bike lanes or roadways, not sidewalks; which is actually the case with regular bicycles as well in Delaware. There were other requirements included as well. For example, the bill dictates that class 3 e-bikes need to have a speedometer installed, but that is pretty standard on all the class 3 bikes I’ve seen. Finally, the legislation lays out means by which trail owners can seek to limit or ban the usage of e-bikes on their trails after a public process has taken place.
All of these restrictions and definitions were actually welcomed by the e-bike and bicycling community at large due to the fact that it made clear when and where these products could be used, thus removing ambiguity and uncertainty. This has been the case in other states that have passed similar laws. In some states, this legislation has actually helped cement the e-bike market and has actually led to an increase in sales in some city areas.
One thing is for sure, if you have not yet tried an e-bike for yourself, you are seriously missing out on some great fun. They are a quick, reliable, and relatively affordable way to help reduce your dependency on cars, explore our state’s wonderful greenways, while still getting in some great exercise. Just make sure that you act responsibly and graciously and power down or decrease your speed when you are sharing the pathways with pedestrians and follow the rules of the road when out on the roadways.