ADA Doctors Note

[Brian10956]

I saw my cardiologist the other day and spoke to him about my plans to get an Ebike . I truly need the assistance of an ebike due to shortness of breath problems I’ve had ever since I had a heart valve replaced. I just don’t have stamina. I live in NY State not far from West Point were the ebike laws are not the greatest. My Dr has offered to write a letter to say the use of an ebike is needed by me in order to exercise properly to keep my heart in working order.
I was wondering if some of you can give me other terminology that I could ask the doctor to include in that letter so I can more easily deal with law enforcement or if need be a judge . I already have a pdf of the ADA rules on my phone to show and I’ve never had an issue when driving my car as I have handicapped Veteran plates which seem to work as I’ve never been stopped since I put them on my car.

 

[Taylor57]

I saw my cardiologist the other day and spoke to him about my plans to get an Ebike . I truly need the assistance of an ebike due to shortness of breath problems I’ve had ever since I had a heart valve replaced. I just don’t have stamina. I live in NY State not far from West Point were the ebike laws are not the greatest. My Dr has offered to write a letter to say the use of an ebike is needed by me in order to exercise properly to keep my heart in working order.
I was wondering if some of you can give me other terminology that I could ask the doctor to include in that letter so I can more easily deal with law enforcement or if need be a judge . I already have a pdf of the ADA rules on my phone to show and I’ve never had an issue when driving my car as I have handicapped Veteran plates which seem to work as I’ve never been stopped since I put them on my car.

It sounds like you are trying to play fast and loose with the law. I would be careful.

 

[PDoz]

t. My Dr has offered to write a letter to say the use of an ebike is needed by me in order to exercise properly to keep my heart in working order.
I

Perhaps your doctor should run the letter past his insurer - that way when you get fined his insurer might still cover him .

 

[Art Deco]

Your doctor will know what to say at least as far as dealing with insurers goes. Similar language should work for LEOs, I'd give the doctor(s) a copy of your ADA pdf and let them do it. Sorry I don't have a better suggestion. Good luck.

 

[FlatSix911]

I saw my cardiologist the other day and spoke to him about my plans to get an Ebike . I truly need the assistance of an ebike due to shortness of breath problems I’ve had ever since I had a heart valve replaced. I just don’t have stamina. I live in NY State not far from West Point were the ebike laws are not the greatest. My Dr has offered to write a letter to say the use of an ebike is needed by me in order to exercise properly to keep my heart in working order.
I was wondering if some of you can give me other terminology that I could ask the doctor to include in that letter so I can more easily deal with law enforcement or if need be a judge . I already have a pdf of the ADA rules on my phone to show and I’ve never had an issue when driving my car as I have handicapped Veteran plates which seem to work as I’ve never been stopped since I put them on my car.

I fully support your proposal to maintain better heart health... have your physician use the standard ADA language in his letter.

 

[Taylor57]

I have congestive heart failure, Afib and just had a hernia fixed. I could probably go to my doctor and get some sort of ADA letter and park in the choice spots but I elect not to because there are people more deserving of the spots and situations than I am. I am reminded of our friend who had her doctor write a note that her purse dog is a support animal and needs to go in restaurants and sip out of wine glasses. No, not for me. What goes around comes around...

 

[Saratoga Dave]

New York is pretty good these days, as far as I can tell (Saratoga County). Get a Class 1 bike and you can pretty much go anywhere. I’m not too clear on the Class 2 throttle bikes, but I see them all over the place when I go down and ride the Walkway Over The Hudson and the associated path from New Paltz down to Hopewell Junction. Rad Rovers galore on that path! No one seems to care. I’ve got over 13,000 miles riding in NY in the last four years, from Dutchess County to Buffalo, pre and post law changes, and have never been stopped or questioned one time.

Life is short, I say go ride and enjoy it.

 

[Art Deco]

New York is pretty good these days, as far as I can tell (Saratoga County). Get a Class 1 bike and you can pretty much go anywhere. I’m not too clear on the Class 2 throttle bikes, but I see them all over the place when I go down and ride the Walkway Over The Hudson and the associated path from New Paltz down to Hopewell Junction. Rad Rovers galore on that path! No one seems to care. I’ve got over 13,000 miles riding in NY in the last four years, from Dutchess County to Buffalo, pre and post law changes, and have never been stopped or questioned one time.

Life is short, I say go ride and enjoy it.

IIRC @Saratoga Dave ... You were once in law enforcement, correct ? If I was using a throttle but riding like I was on a conventional bike, and I had a copy of a letter recommending a throttled mobility device signed by a doctor, I think that LEOs in general would be happy. If it matters I'm in central PA wanting to explore upstate NY especially the finger lakes.

 

[FlatSix911]

New York is pretty good these days, as far as I can tell (Saratoga County). Get a Class 1 bike and you can pretty much go anywhere. I’m not too clear on the Class 2 throttle bikes, but I see them all over the place when I go down and ride the Walkway Over The Hudson and the associated path from New Paltz down to Hopewell Junction. Rad Rovers galore on that path! No one seems to care. I’ve got over 13,000 miles riding in NY in the last four years, from Dutchess County to Buffalo, pre and post law changes, and have never been stopped or questioned one time.

Life is short, I say go ride and enjoy it.

I lived in the Hudson Valley many years ago... a beautiful area to ride in the Spring and Fall.

 

[Art Deco]

I have congestive heart failure, Afib and just had a hernia fixed. I could probably go to my doctor and get some sort of ADA letter and park in the choice spots but I elect not to because there are people more deserving of the spots and situations than I am. I am reminded of our friend who had her doctor write a note that her purse dog is a support animal and needs to go in restaurants and sip out of wine glasses. No, not for me. What goes around comes around...

While I admire your attitude, you don't have to use the letter or other paperwork unless it's for a LEO. I would do it anyway for trail use but probably not for parking lots, where waiting for a reserve spot can be a big deal. I would also recommend adding a class 1 sticker on whatever you ride so you fit it with other riders. And a smile.

 

[Taylor57]

While I admire your attitude, you don't have to use the letter or other paperwork unless it's for a LEO. I would do it anyway for trail use but probably not for parking lots, where waiting for a reserve spot can be a big deal. I would also recommend adding a class 1 sticker on whatever you ride so you fit it with other riders. And a smile.

Im not sure if I will ever need a letter where I ride here in Palm Springs. I basically just cruise on the golf cart paths, golf course cart paths, bike paths and an occasional trail. I think our local LEOS have bigger fish to fry than inspecting my Sport or Xp for proper stickage. I could plug in the political rant now but wont-we will let the fine folk on Facebook have at it

 

[Saratoga Dave]

I can no more speak for law enforcement than I can fly to the moon, but I have to say that neither myself nor maybe 99 percent of the other cops on my police department would have ever bothered anyone for this, absent a direct order or a specific complaint. There’s other stuff to do. I only did six years in patrol, and it was a while ago, but I think my experience is still common enough.

I occasionally encounter and ride along with a couple of deputy sheriffs on the bike patrol unit that covers some of the bike paths around here, and other than to complement me on the bike, they don’t ask questions, nor bother anyone else we encounter. It’s not what they’re out there for. As long as you ride like a normal human being and don’t make an idiot of yourself, there‘s no reason live and let live doesn’t apply.

 

[Art Deco]

Im not sure if I will ever need a letter where I ride here in Palm Springs. I basically just cruise on the golf cart paths, golf course cart paths, bike paths and an occasional trail. I think our local LEOS have bigger fish to fry than inspecting my Sport or Xp for proper stickage. I could plug in the political rant now but wont-we will let the fine folk on Facebook have at it

Silence is good on politics . But Palm Beach is full of older folks on eBikes . Lots of good riding weather and good trails IIRC.

 

[6zfshdb]

I've logged over 3000 miles, mostly on trails in PA, NY, NJ & MD, in the last 2 years and have also never been stopped or questioned. I've spoken to many park rangers and LEO's who were all curious about my e-bike but none voiced any opposition to my riding.

I'm 74 with bad joints and my doctor approved a handicapped placard here in my home state of PA. Along with the placard, there is also a matching card that indicates I'm the owner of the placard. I always carry the card when I ride, hoping that might carry some weight were I ever to be stopped.

 

[FlatSix911]

Long may your ride!

 

[John from Connecticut]

New York is pretty good these days, as far as I can tell (Saratoga County). Get a Class 1 bike and you can pretty much go anywhere. I’m not too clear on the Class 2 throttle bikes, but I see them all over the place when I go down and ride the Walkway Over The Hudson and the associated path from New Paltz down to Hopewell Junction. Rad Rovers galore on that path! No one seems to care. I’ve got over 13,000 miles riding in NY in the last four years, from Dutchess County to Buffalo, pre and post law changes, and have never been stopped or questioned one time.

Life is short, I say go ride and enjoy it.

Hi Dave, Your reply is perfect ! "Problem solved" I hope folks read your post and take your message to heart. 13,000 miles in various New York counties, 4 years of riding,
zero law enforcement issues.

In my opinion this perceived law enforcement 'problem' has gotten out of hand. Way too much time spent discussing what happens if ?? Just go out and ride and enjoy.
My comments are not meant specifically for Brian 10956, but the general worrying about law enforcement what if's . I've been riding 3 years, 7000 + miles, never seen
any long arm of the law. : )