I was surprised, taking my class with the East Lansing police, that every now and then they will stop a cyclist on the road for a violation like "not using a headlight at night", and if they discover that the bike isn't registered with the East Lansing PD when they do this (as city ordinance actually requires in East Lansing), they'll inform them about that. Doesn't happen very often, and I don't know if these cyclists actually receive a monetary fine, but I was a little shocked to learn that ELPD actually stops cyclists sometimes.
I believe state law by default allows class one e-bikes on the trails (max speed 20 mph, and you have to pedal), and does not allow class two (max speed 20 mph, but you don't have to pedal), or class three (max speed 28 mph). Also, some of the vehicles we're seeing out there are actually none of the above, I don't think anything requires manufacturers to fit their vehicle within a category. But to actually enforce that, you would need police on the bike trails, and that just doesn't happen.
I can tell you my own preferred system would actually be "if you're pedaling, you're welcome here, even if assisted. If you're not pedaling, use the road." This would have the obvious benefit that you could tell at a glance if someone was in violation. But you would still need enforcers, and we have no enforcers.
At least a sign telling what bikes should ride were might help, perhaps size and weight should also be considered. I think trail rangers would be good for safety out there. Of course, the police would have to get out of their cars which they really don't like to do.
I'm part of one of the local trails organizations and there's been continued discussion on what to do with ebikes and scooters. The consensus among the county and various parks department seems to be that there's no funding for enforcement and no practical way to weed out something like class 1 vs class 2 ebikes without being pretty invasive. I tend to lean against heavy handed government oriented solutions to problems like mandatory registration, but I only get one vote.
Simple trail etiquette awareness is the first step that we're trying to take on the issue, a program that may emulate what Traverse City does with their trails.
I think some signage telling people what is not allowed on the trails, informing people that may not know there are rules. I know that would not stop all electric bike riders from using the trails, or perhaps just having some sort of petrol riding the trails would be effective as a deterrent just by their presence without over-policing. On campus and the city sidewalks there should be more enforcement, as it is there that the most e-bikers are endangering pedestrians like me. If they knew they could be ticketed, maybe they would not use the sidewalks. I for one do not want to be smashed to the ground by some dumb-ass and their 60 lbs. e-bike at 25 mph.
Sounds crazy, but wonder if, on the trails, you could even do something automated like a "for electric bicycles and scooters, max speed 20 mph" sign, with a digital sign / radar speed setup indicating their speed. Can you get enough bounceback off a person on a bicycle to measure their speed? I don't know. I bet you could if the thing was calibrated to look for bicycles and not automobiles.
I have seen speed signs like that in videos before, I think they usually also function as counters. I like that idea, I know they're available, I will bring it up.
Comments
I believe state law by default allows class one e-bikes on the trails (max speed 20 mph, and you have to pedal), and does not allow class two (max speed 20 mph, but you don't have to pedal), or class three (max speed 28 mph). Also, some of the vehicles we're seeing out there are actually none of the above, I don't think anything requires manufacturers to fit their vehicle within a category. But to actually enforce that, you would need police on the bike trails, and that just doesn't happen.
I can tell you my own preferred system would actually be "if you're pedaling, you're welcome here, even if assisted. If you're not pedaling, use the road." This would have the obvious benefit that you could tell at a glance if someone was in violation. But you would still need enforcers, and we have no enforcers.
Simple trail etiquette awareness is the first step that we're trying to take on the issue, a program that may emulate what Traverse City does with their trails.