E-Bike Lessons for the Acoustic Cyclist

Life in the Bike Lane

Tom Frady

Like me, I am sure you six loyal readers have gasped at the sight of (very) young people on e-bikes and scooters negotiating traffic, pedestrians and other e-bikers.  Internet chat sites light up daily with concern, anger and “where are the parents?” as someone’s latest scary encounter is dissected.  There are comments almost daily in the local on-line chat rooms.

What can we mature riders learn from the actions of this group and the discourse that inevitably follows them?

Speed changes everything. Many complaints about young e-bike and e-scooter riders boil down to speed in environments not designed for it (sidewalks, shared paths, intersections).  Adult cyclists―especially the avid cyclist-- on fast road bikes can fall into a similar trap.  It’s easy to ride over the 15mph speed limit on a nice bike path and sometimes there are several pedestrians “in the way”.  But, hey.  I’m a much better rider than those kids on e-bikes.  My bike handling skill compensates for the extra speed, right?  Right?

E-bikes blur the line between bicycle and light motor vehicle, especially the throttle-only bike that looks like a half-size motorcycle. Our infrastructure does not match our technology.  The traditional cycling infrastructure wasn’t designed for heavier and faster bikes that accelerate very quickly and maintain much higher average speeds. Even adult acoustic-bike riders should be considering whether bike paths are still appropriate at our cruising speed?

The lesson we need to learn is speed should match the environment, not our capability.  Even if you can ride 20 mph, it may not be appropriate where sightlines, pedestrians, or unpredictable traffic are present.

As bicycles and their kin evolve, rider responsibility evolves, too.

Many young riders ignore signals, weave through traffic, or hop the curb between road and sidewalk. Drivers find this unnerving because it's unpredictable.  Adult cyclists sometimes roll through stop signs (I’m told) and switch between pedestrian and vehicle behavior depending on convenience.

Even when legally justified, unpredictability increases risk, and next to speed, this is the most dangerous trait of the young e-bikers.  Some of the unpredictability may be from lack of knowledge of the pertinent laws.

The takeaway for the mature cyclist?  Be boringly predictable.  Outrageously conspicuous.  Signal clearly. Hold your line. Obey laws consistently.

Complaints about young e-riders often influence public attitudes toward all cyclists, including the mature acoustic road biker.  The fight for better cycling infrastructure can be negatively affected by transferring disgust at the speeding kid to the mature cyclist.  Remember, you represent more than yourself. Defensive, courteous riding protects not only your safety but cycling’s reputation.

As complaints grow, local law enforcement and our cities will respond with restrictions that may apply broadly.  The differences in “riding style” and the differences in bicycle types are likely to be ignored.  The behavior of all who reside in the two-wheeled community will shape regulations.

Younger riders often underestimate risk. But we adults aren’t immune―especially experienced cyclists who grow comfortable over time. The behavior we criticize in teens sometimes mirrors overconfidence in adults, just expressed differently.

Many complaints about young riders aren’t about competence―they’re about disregard for others. Adult riders can consciously model by slowing for pedestrians, yielding even when technically you don’t have to and avoiding aggressive “I’m legally right” riding.  A friendly smile will always help.

Your riding skill allows you to do more.  Courtesy keeps everyone safer.

Every new mobility shift (skateboards, mountain bikes, fixies, now e-bikes) initially looks chaotic. Over time, norms stabilize.  The opportunity for mature riders is not to distance themselves from “those riders,” but to model best practices, advocate for better infrastructure, and help shape the cycling culture constructively