(11-04-2025, 03:01 PM)Sidewinder Wrote: Just wanted to make this observation: I've noticed a number of ebike riders in Silver City, some are doing everything right and sharing the road, others are riding on sidewalks, riding the wrong way on streets, etc. I get that the sidewalk can sometimes be safer, but add pedestrians and the risks increase. And just this morning, I had to slow down because an ebike rider shot into the street and then proceeded to ride the wrong way... I wasn't sure what his plans were, no signals of any sort, just a moment of confusion. Given the number of distracted drivers on the road nowadays, these "outlaw ebikers" are fatality wrecks waiting to happen... if I ever ride an ebike (which doesn't seem likely, but ya never know), I'll be sure to signal my intentions one way or another. Maybe I'm more sensitive to this safety issue right now due to my recent run-in with a distracted driver... and that was on a regular pedal bike, go figure. Maybe I should rig a battery and some turn signals on my beach cruiser, lol... but if a distracted driver isn't looking at the road anyway, what's the difference? 
Hey, Jesper, I'm beginning to think this bike riding in town is now an "extreme sport!" 
I fully agree. Many (most?) ebikers are often inexperienced (some having none) riding on 2 wheels; most not at the speeds ebikes provide. Also many are already irresponsible motorvehicle drvers, many being restricted and/or banned from driving by legal action (drunk driving, etc.) or physical handicaps (vision, etc.), and yet they can jump on an ebike and in essence present the same danger to themselves and others (I am not discounting those who do the same thing if riding a bicycle or tricycle; only that ebikers are generally doing so at higher speeds; dangerous regardless of being motorized or not). My area is trying to boost safety by requiring DLs, safety course, and other measures meant to create a safer environment for all. Ebikers are in general creating a more negative view of non-motor assisted/powered cyclists; much more than existed before the glut of those things have taken to the sidewalks, shoulders, bike lanes, bike trails, and streets.
I occassionally ride (quite regularly before when working there) in a large college student populated city (nearly 80,000), and also K-12 (nearly 30,000). The city populatiobln is only 160,000 so you do the math. Between the young and older students riding on ebikes and motor scooters (regularly seen bypassing traffic in bike lanes), and adults who have been banned from driving (mostly drunk driving violations), and adults riding for recreation it has become a dangerous madhouse. I really only see real cyclists on the trails where we still outnumber ebikers. On the trails ebikers/etrikers are generally very old (my age; 60+ years) recreational ebikers who drive there and then proceed on their ebikes. They are not too happy trying to load and unload those 50-100 pound devices, as I ofen hear them bemoan just that (as I laughingly, under my breath, cycle away in one minute or less if offloading my bike which fits in my car without any dismantling). I will say that those trail riders are the most responsible of the lot and are also riding at lower speeds than most ebikers as I often outpace them averaging about only 17.5mph over the 30 mile trail.
Yes, ebikers tend to be worse at following rules of the road than cyclists (but plenty of cyclists also regularly do the same), probably because a little power under their butts gives them a sense of superiority thinking they can do what they want and provides a false sense of equal standing with motorvehicles which is a very flawed atitude.
While I was riding in the city and approaching a red traffic light I saw, across the intersection, an ebiker approaching from the opposite direction. As is my habit, I educate myself on light cycles (when driving or riding); and I slow my pace to avoid having to come to a complete stop (saving energy, and keeping my avg. speed higher) while timing the light being prepared to completely stop in any case. The ebiker was obviously at or near full throttle (no pedalling/power assist) and apparently thought they could safely stop if needed (or though lght would change), even at a fairly high speed with no distance in which to do so. It was alost a complete fail since he arrived at the light well before it changed (I was still pedalling easy in a lower gear preparing to stop or sprint) and he suddenly had to stop to avoid running into the crossing traffic. I saw his handlebar shaking and him also trying to do a "Flintstone stop" while putting his feet to the ground (without effect) making him appear to be running on the bike. I guarantee his anal sphincters were tightening up as he attempted to maintain control and stop at the same time. He barely managed it, running well past the stop line and somewhat entering into the edge of the travel lane and then having to push backwards for proper clearance. At this point I had already stopped and was waiting out the light. Well before the light changed he was so impatient that he ran the light crossing 2 lanes, but getting stuck on the median because there was still traffic crossing the next 2 lanes he needed to cross since the light had yet to change as it was a long light at the convergence/split of 2 separate roadways. I knew this and even though lightly cruising up to it I knew that I'd likely have to stop unless late in the cycle. That fool obviously did not know that, did not know how to brake properly, and most obviously did not care about the traffic laws since he treated the light as a stop sign and proceeded at risk to himself and drivers. He was still stuck on the median when the light finally changed, thus gaining only about 25ft through his reckless and illegal behavior. I was really hoping that a cop would see him stuck on the median (the cross walk was on the opposing side) and give him a ticket since there would be reasonable excuse for his presence there. The dark side of me wished that he was hit by a car, but having worked in ER and OR we would now be responsible for saving a fool from himself; usually without knowing the facts that caused the injury and probably having sympathy for one who did not even deserve it, and who may have caused, aside from property damage, minor to severe injuries to others that might receive, without cause, some disdain from those providing the treatment. Generally, all we would know is that the car hit a cyclist; many assuming (not myself!) that the car operator was at fault which unfortunately is more often than than you might think even though we are trained to treat without bias whether a mass murderer or an innocent victim.
My ride yesterday; approx. 40mi. After having 100s of cars, trucks, semi's pass me without issue (including miles of construction zone where I had avoid cones and vehicles without safe clearance from either) not one vehicle presented any negative action (swerving near me, horn blasts, tossing stuff, shouting, etc.) towards me. I never saw another cyclist or ebiker the entire day (primarily rural secondary and tertiary routes), but near the end of the when approaching my little hamlet on a road with next to zero shoulder (0"-6") except the barely visible line I had a fool decide to, even while I was riding nearly on the edge of the pavement, and with no oncoming traffic, give a horn blast when right up on my backside while passing in close proximity and maintaining it well after. This is exemplifies low mentality and attitude of drivers who think they own the road while I am paying taxes to maintain it and am provided by law to use it. Drivers like that do not realize the risk they put riders in since many might manveuver off the road or worse right into the driver's path (with the rider most likely being held responsible if an accident: "they pulled right in front of me" states the driver) due to being surprised and causing them to shudder, and potentially losing control. Inexperienced riders are often shaken by these idiotic and unnecessary actions which often cause injury and equipment damage; sometimes making them eschew cycling forever. I can only say that if you are taking all due precautions there is nothing else you can do in the split second you have to react except to stay the course and concentrate on what you are doing. DO NOT REACT NEGATIVELY! Do not shout or gesture, but instead maintain your composure; you gain nothing by doing anything other than that. Of course having half a century on the road cycling unser my belt I did make a gesture: I simply waved in a friendly manner like it was a friend mine just tooting their horn as a hello to me. That happens often and I know the difference; just as I know when a trucker hits their horn well before approaching me as a considerate warning. Perfectly fine. Of course, after that fool blasted me I immediately sped up in an attempt to meet at a stop light I knew they would hit about a 1/2 mile away. Nothing irritates a driver like that more than seeing you right behind them while waiting while I give another friendly wave to indicate that they gained nothing if I could be in their presence again. Note: you have the right to report those individuals as an endangerment since their actions are not legal and are not meant to help, but only to scare. Give time, location, tag number, vehicle make, and driver description if possible. Stand up for yourself, but do not put yourself in danger; again, no negative actions, and NEVER ride up along either side of the vehicle (stay behind by a full car length or more, either directly behind or off to the side).
I do think all general purpose equipment (motorized or not) used on roadways and public trails should have a built-in directional/braking lighting system that can be operated while keepng your hands on the steering device. Having grown up using hand signals my entire life I am comfortable maneuvering with one hand while signalling with the other, though I am not always pleased at doing so. It only takes a little bit (debris, sand, leaves, wet surface, damaged pavement, etc.) to mess things up, whether you are on 2 or more wheels, and to put you into a dangerous situation.
@rydabent please note the ebikes are rated for speed on a flat surface at a specific weight gross. I can go faster than someone 50 pounds heavier. They also can go faster downhill. It really does not matter as long as you are not breaking the speed limit on a roadway or trail. Our paved trails are all limited to 20mph (includes downhill); something I can easily surpass on a flat surface should I wish to under my own power, thus making me the lawbreaker (ebiker or not).
I regularly descend hills at 40-50mph+ on my bike; something I do not recommend for any inexperienced cyclist/ebiker, or anyone riding an upright or recumbent tricycle (except maybe with a racing tricycle designed for superior handling at high speed compared to recreational models; even a non-racing bicycle can descend and handle at very high speeds, 40mph+, as I did just that as a youth with "kids" bikes on steep grades). The problem with ebikes at high speeds is braking stability. They have adaquate braking systems in most cases, but the bikes are more unstable when braking at high speeds, whether on flats or downhill (see earlier comment) due to design/geometery and rider position (higher center of gravity), and weight. Many off those aspects affect tricycles (upright and recumbent), especially in cornering and braking at the same time while at high speeds (again, racing models are superior, being designed more for those conditions).
In summary it does not matter what you ride on if you are not experienced, if you are not aware of the limits of your equipment, and/or are not complying with laws. Keeping your equipment in proper working condition is also of utmost importance!
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