E-bike, or just electric bike has become in a controversial point for road authorities and users of the same roads, above all, cyclists. While the first ones require for their regularization to circulate on bike lanes only, the second ones think that represent a danger by going within these exclusive lanes.
The most recent polemic occurs in Torreon, Coahuila, where is proposed that e-bike circulate exclusively within bike lanes or at least on the sections where are the bike ways.
In this Mexico state, the Transit and Urban Mobility Director of the city hall, Luis Morales, proposed to secretary of the city council, Natalia Fernández and to the aldermen that integrate the road commissions, include the e-bikes on the regulations.
This would include the regularization of wearing helmet for drivers and passengers. However, the proposal that most controversy caused, is the one that limit them to transit on bike lanes.
Fatal accident
The regulation arises after a man riding an e-bike within a state highway, which suffered an accident and died days later due severe injuries. In this way, the intention is protect drivers of e-bikes.
“I want that, if we see a vehicle of this type in a main avenue, we could remove it from there, but first I want to inform that they should go on main roads. It isn’t obligatory the helmet, just wear it. And when aldermen and ministry of Council decide it, and hopefully we wish to expose it in the city hall, that here in Torreon we look out for the safety of users of all transports”, accepted the official.
What does cyclists say about the e-bike?
Francisco Valdés Perezgasga, president of the cycling group Ruedas en el Desierto, says be in favor to regularize wearing helmet for drivers and passengers of e-bikes. However, he doesn’t think the same about the presence of this inside of the bike ways and even, critiques the lack of exclusive lanes.
“I believe that (e-bike) is a different vehicle (to bike) and due that can reach different speeds, higher than bikes to pedal. I would agree to use the helmet by going in these motorized bikes, that have a speed from 21 to 24 mph because you’re exceeding the moderated speeds and the speed is the key variable that determines your safety. There’s another posture of using bike lanes. And then I would ask which bike lanes? In Torreon there’s one well made and small, which is the one of Colón, and there’s another, but poorly made one, with a greater length, which is Bulevar Constitución and others on the industrial zone, but we have unconnected bike ways”, mentioned Valdés to an interview to Milenio paper.
Is it valid for them to use bike lanes?
About the presence of an e-bike inside of the bike route, he expressed that “these vehicles go faster than a cyclist. E-bikes go to a faster speed and will be a risk for cyclists. In summary, in one hand I agree, and on the other hand I disagree”.
In the same way, mentioned that the lack of spaces designed specifically for cyclists, also represent a risk for motorists of an e-bike. Finally, indicated that in other countries has demonstrates that motorized vehicles can co-exist with non-motorized vehicles, in the case of Mexico, could be possible too, “if there’s political will, but with the current authorities, the major that we have, I think is going to take so much time”.
Is it fair or unfair for e-bikes to circulate in bike ways?
From the beginning, we all have the right to circulate and transit freely.
Of course, always with responsibility.
Unfortunately, in Mexico we have a long way to go to achieve a correct road culture and respect among everyone.
In the case of an e-bike, circulating within a bike lane, in theory would be always the optimal thing but driving prudently. Meaning, at the correct speed that doesn’t represents a danger for motorists neither normal cyclists.
According to law, these can reach and don’t exceed the 12 to 15.5 mph (to be considered non-motorized vehicles), this means that motorists have to drive under that speed limit. Above all, if we consider that average speed when pedaling a non-motorized bike is at 9.3 mph.
Motor bikes and e bikes
The problem consists that many users of an e-bike drive them as if were motorbikes or mopeds. In other words, for cyclists isn’t useful to have a bike lane. In one hand, many times motorists invade them, and on the other hand, now must share the lane with other bikes that reach equal speed of these vehicles.
Another aspect to analyze is the definition of an e-bike. This dictate that motor must assist pedaling, but doesn’t substitute it. In the practice is more frequent to see users of these bikes remove this pedaling to advance only with the traction of the motor, meaning, is every time more similar to a motorbike than a bike.
For that, it isn’t weird to see that many times as cyclists, we are suddenly exceeded by these vehicles. And by going in a separated lane without cars, take advantage to accelerate as much as they can.
Is it unfair that e-bikes circulate within bike lanes? In a strict way, that shouldn’t be like that, safety is also pursed. It is unfair that a cyclist, circulating on a separated lane that must protect they by cars, also must be aware of other motorized vehicles on the same lane.
