“E-Micromobility” Speeds and Injuries Increase
Since the discovery of static electricity by the ancient Greeks in (600 BC), electricity has infused nearly every aspect of our lives and there is no sign of it slowing down soon. Just in the last few years, we have seen an increase in electric automobiles, trucks, drones, aircraft and watercraft, farm vehicles, skateboards, surfboards and more. Its growth sped up due in part to tax incentives, and the current administration’s interest is in rescinding those. That’s another topic.
There are three classes of e-bikes. Class One requires pedal assistance to activate the motor with a maximum speed of 20 mph. Class Two has a throttle button with a maximum at 20 mph and no pedaling needed, and Class Three has a throttle traveling up to 28 mph without pedaling. And now, there are types of electric moto-bikes on paths traveling over 28 mph.
Presently, we are seeing a rapid increase in an electric category called “e-micromobility”. These are electric powered bikes of varying configurations, speeds and uses. And E-scooters pervading the urban landscape and tourist destinations where traffic congestion and limited parking are issues, and short trips are popular and convenient.
With the adoption of any innovative technology, there is bound to be challenges and disruptions of norms, behaviors, and safety.
Here in Lake Tahoe, on any day, an observer can witness e-bikes and e-scooters traveling at excessive speeds on the bike paths. But to be accurate, these paths are shared-use paths frequented by parents pushing baby strollers or walking with children, seniors with limited mobility, sight and hearing, pet owners walking their pets, and others wearing ear plugs with narrowly focused sight on a 4×6 inch digital screen.
One will also notice e-bikes & scooters traveling at speed and using pedestrians as slalom cones to weave through. When the path is too obstructive, reducing their speed, they will spontaneously leap into the traffic lane. It’s like a dual personality disorder. Once they behave as a pedestrian on a shared-use path, and then quickly change their identity to become a motor vehicle in a traffic lane.
Few riders wear helmets, children are driving them, two people occupy one vehicle, infants are riding on the shoulders of parents and basically it is a free-for-all in violation of basic safety and traffic laws. State and local laws state that anyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet, must be at least 16 years of age with a driver’s license to rent one, know and obey the Rules of the Road, and one rider per vehicle.
The City of South Lake Tahoe has published the E-Bike and E-Scooter Rules and Laws of Use, and is available on their website:https://www.cityofslt.us/2493/E-Bike-and-Scooter-Information and Placer County (North Tahoe/Truckee) has also published similar information guidance.
Along with the speed and the unruly behavior of “e-micromobility” users, comes an increase in injuries. According to a National UCSF study, (Injuries with Electric vs Conventional Scooters and Bicycles) published in JAMA Network Open, on July 23, 2024, “there were nearly 2.5 million bicycle injuries, over 304,000 scooter injuries, 45,586 e-bicycle injuries and 189,517 e-scooter injuries in the U.S.” These numbers are likely much higher as many states, and South Lake Tahoe, do not record injuries occurring on bike paths.
Adrian Fernandez, MD, co-lead author of the study and chief resident with the UCSF Department of Urology, states, “This increase in accidents not only introduced a demographic shift but also underscores an urgent need for added safety measures. There are undeniable health and environmental benefits to micromobility vehicle use, but structural changes must be taken to promote safe riding.”
Longtime bike advocate and Bike Tahoe President Ty Polastri offers a couple of change suggestions to help reduce injuries, and create a safer community experience for e-micromobility users and pedestrians on the paths.
E-Scooter Business Model Change
E-scooter vendors change their business model at the point of service delivery. This includes three fundamental principles: education, verification, and accountability. Issuing Use Permits by municipalities should have these three principles as a condition of permit issuance.
1. Education. Vendors must provide and attest user understanding of the basic Rules of the Road and associated violation penalties as a condition of rental use.
2. Verification. Vendors must verify users are of legal age to rent and wear helmets under the law.
3. Accountability. Vendors must make helmets available and be present to insure education and verification takes place.
No longer are vendors permitted to distribute random inventory without supervision. This places responsibility on the vendor to educate, verify and be accountable for lawful compliance as a condition of use, much like how bike rental shops operate.
Bike Path Speed Limit
Implement a 15 mph speed limit on all bike/shared-use paths. Over 30 years ago, Marin County, California implemented a 15 mph Speed Limit on all bike paths, and that was before e-bikes/scooters. 15 mph is fast on a bike or scooter when confined to an 8 to 10-foot-wide path with pedestrians, wheelchairs and pets.
Something needs to be done beyond laws already being violated. Replacing the random and unsupervised e-scooter free-for-all business model with education, verification and accountability at the point of service delivery can help reduce injuries, improve safety and the user experience for all those sharing the path. Speed reduction to a maximum of 15 mph is also a viable tactic that has been successful elsewhere.
“Keepin it real and rollin”
Ty
