Ebike class questions

[GaryInCO]

I've been enjoying my Vado 4.0. I do NOT like riding 1-2 feet from cars and trucks, so I ride almost exclusively on trails, both paved and gravel.

However I just discovered I should have done some better research before I bought ... My city's website says Class 1 and 2 ebikes are allowed on paved trails, but not on soft-surface (gravel?) trails. Class 3 are "Not allowed on paved or soft-surface trails. Allowed on streets and in bike lanes." I'm not sure how they're distinguishing between "paved trails" and "bike lanes" ("trails" are separate, "lanes" are part of a street?), nor do I understand why they exclude ALL ebikes from soft-surface trails.

Colorado law says Class 1/2 ebikes can go anywhere a normal bike does, but Class 3 may not be used on bike or pedestrian paths unless the path is on a street or highway.

In reality, nobody seems to follow these rules. I see class 3 ebikes on the trails all the time -- often riding (illegally) above 20 mph. But I would like to be a bit more legal. I almost never ride above 20 mph, so I don't need the class 3 speed. If my bike was limited to 20 mph, it would effectively fit into Class 1 definitions.

Is there any way to reprogram a Vado to limit the speed to 20 mph? I don't think that would satisfy the Class 1 definition, but it would be a lot closer.

 

[coffmandave]

I'm unaware of any way to reprogram a vado to be Class 1 or otherwise limit the assist to 20mph. Even Specialized, when rolling out an ability to reset Tero's from Class 1 to Class 3, was clear there was no way to undo it and go back to Class 1.

You're right, soft surface generally means gravel but it can also be packed dirt trails or any other unpaved surfaces.

I think your choices are to continue breaking the law, risk riding with cars, or get a new bike. Sorry!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Gary, it looks the only way for you is to ride respectfully within the Class 1 speed limits wherever applicable. 20 mph is a lot on gravel or a bike path...

 

[GaryInCO]

Oh yes, I don't ride 20mph on gravel, seldom even half that. I'd kill myself going 20 on a gravel trail. And I only go 20mph on bike paths when there is no one else around.

 

[dodgeman]

It seems like unless you live somewhere the check these things you won’t have a problem as long as you keep your speed down and don’t ride like an idiot.

 

[GaryInCO]

That's been my plan so far ...

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I've been enjoying my Vado 4.0. I do NOT like riding 1-2 feet from cars and trucks, so I ride almost exclusively on trails, both paved and gravel.

However I just discovered I should have done some better research before I bought ... My city's website says Class 1 and 2 ebikes are allowed on paved trails, but not on soft-surface (gravel?) trails. Class 3 are "Not allowed on paved or soft-surface trails. Allowed on streets and in bike lanes." I'm not sure how they're distinguishing between "paved trails" and "bike lanes" ("trails" are separate, "lanes" are part of a street?), nor do I understand why they exclude ALL ebikes from soft-surface trails.

Colorado law says Class 1/2 ebikes can go anywhere a normal bike does, but Class 3 may not be used on bike or pedestrian paths unless the path is on a street or highway.

In reality, nobody seems to follow these rules. I see class 3 ebikes on the trails all the time -- often riding (illegally) above 20 mph. But I would like to be a bit more legal. I almost never ride above 20 mph, so I don't need the class 3 speed. If my bike was limited to 20 mph, it would effectively fit into Class 1 definitions.

Is there any way to reprogram a Vado to limit the speed to 20 mph? I don't think that would satisfy the Class 1 definition, but it would be a lot closer.

The class restrictions here in coastal San Diego County are similar to yours. My dealer, who sells ebikes exclusively, told me that she has yet to hear of a responsible rider getting stopped just for that. I think she was being honest and have no evidence to the contrary 21 months later.

This is not for lack of reckless riding by ebikers and unmotorized cyclists alike. A local sheriff told me that it's mostly a matter of understaffing. Attrition's high, and qualified applicants have dried up.

Cyclists of ALL kinds need to clean up their act to avoid overregulation. Ride like an ambassador of goodwill, as we all should, and you'll probably be fine.

 

[Camasonian]

The cheaper solution would be to just get a class 1 ebike sticker to put on the frame in case you ever get stopped. You can find them on Amazon, Etsy, Ebay, etc. And then ride like a considerate bike path user and not a jerk.

Amazon.com

 

[Kilowatt]

It is absolutely possible to restrict a Vado down to class 1. I know because my Vado (bought in the US) was delivered restricted to the EU-spec 25 kph, or about 16 mph. A quick firmware update at the bike shop made it a true class 3. I believe they can also program them for the US-spec class 1 speed limit. It's easy peasy.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

The cheaper solution would be to just get a class 1 ebike sticker to put on the frame in case you ever get stopped. You can find them on Amazon, Etsy, Ebay, etc.

Got a Class 2 sticker on Amazon for just that reason. Then read (maybe on EBR) that the sticker has to be applied by the manufacturer and bear the manufacturer's name to count.

If so, 3rd party stickers don't offer much protection.

 

[6zfshdb]

No sense in paying for a sticker. Just download & print this image, and apply it to your downtube with a piece of clear packing tape:

You can always plead ignorance if you are questioned.

 

[JenniferA]

I have looked into this. As Kilowatt said, the bikes can definitely be restricted to class 1 - 20 mph max for assist. The question is whether that would have any legal effect. Specialized seems to take the position that once you’re class 3 you can’t go back (I was told that directly by a Specialized employee). But some people I have spoken to suggest that you could have your LBS write a letter that the change has been made and keep the letter with you in case you are stopped. That may be a better approach than a DIY sticker. The problem with the class 1 sticker on a class 3 bike is that it’s arguably deceptive so it might be counterproductive if the person stopping you knows anything about the issue.

But the larger issue is what would happen if there was an injury-causing accident while riding a class 3 bike on a path where it isn’t allowed, and you get sued despite operating the bike in a safe manner. I haven’t heard of that happening but I can predict it is likely to happen at some point somewhere. For now I usually avoid crowded paths on my Creo (and I live on the California Central Coast where there are a lot of crowded paths) or when I find myself on one I turn the motor off. I do enjoy riding on bike paths though, so I am considering adding a class 1 bike to my collection and selling my non-electric gravel bike.

 

[Camasonian]

I have looked into this. As Kilowatt said, the bikes can definitely be restricted to class 1 - 20 mph max for assist. The question is whether that would have any legal effect. Specialized seems to take the position that once you’re class 3 you can’t go back (I was told that directly by a Specialized employee). But some people I have spoken to suggest that you could have your LBS write a letter that the change has been made and keep the letter with you in case you are stopped. That may be a better approach than a DIY sticker. The problem with the class 1 sticker on a class 3 bike is that it’s arguably deceptive so it might be counterproductive if the person stopping you knows anything about the issue.

But the larger issue is what would happen if there was an injury-causing accident while riding a class 3 bike on a path where it isn’t allowed, and you get sued despite operating the bike in a safe manner. I haven’t heard of that happening but I can predict it is likely to happen at some point somewhere. For now I usually avoid crowded paths on my Creo (and I live on the California Central Coast where there are a lot of crowded paths) or when I find myself on one I turn the motor off. I do enjoy riding on bike paths though, so I am considering adding a class 1 bike to my collection and selling my non-electric gravel bike.

I'm not a lawyer.

But I would argue that if you are involved in some sort of serious accident on a bike path, then the degree of your culpability has more to do with your riding behavior and not much at all to do with what class bike you were riding.

For me it is all hypothetical. I only use my e-bike for commuting and local errands and there are no bike paths involved in any of that. The only time I'm ever on bike paths is recreational riding and that is on my regular road bike.

 

[JenniferA]

I'm not a lawyer.

But I would argue that if you are involved in some sort of serious accident on a bike path, then the degree of your culpability has more to do with your riding behavior and not much at all to do with what class bike you were riding.

For me it is all hypothetical. I only use my e-bike for commuting and local errands and there are no bike paths involved in any of that. The only time I'm ever on bike paths is recreational riding and that is on my regular road bike.

I don’t disagree with you. I am a lawyer so I have probably spent more time thinking about this stuff than most. While I would like to think that culpability in an accident situation would be based on the rider’s behavior, I am also aware that some plaintiff’s attorneys are looking for $$$ for their client and would argue the rider should be liable because he/she was breaking the law by riding a bike that should not have been on the path. If there is bad riding involved the lawyer will argue negligence whether the bike is electric or not. And the likelihood of an accident is much higher in my area because of overcrowding on the trails.