All very good points. Perhaps a perfect e-road bike solution would be class 1 limit of 20mph but with a mid-drive size battery - 500wh - to give us the range we need. I would love a mild assist (ebikemotion, Fazua) but with a lager battery to support long rides!
Here is the policy I proposed that was rejected. What do you think with the exception of the allowance of class 3 pedelecs?
Proposed E-bike Policy
Members of the Morris Area Freewheelers Bicycle Club may ride bicycles with electric assist motors on all Club tours and events, provided:
- The bicycle must be pedal assist (the bike does not move without pedaling), it must not have a throttle and must be a Class 1 or Class 3 e-bike (pending legislation on this Class).
- Throttle e-bikes are strictly prohibited for safety
- It is not the responsibility for a Ride Leader to determine if a rider is using an e-bike or what class of e-bike a rider is using, but rather to make riders aware of the current legislation. It is the rider’s responsibility to know and obey the law.
- If an e-bike rider is operating their e-bike in an unsafe manner, a Ride Leader has the authority to speak with the e-bike rider to discuss what they are doing incorrectly or to ask that the e-bike rider ride off the back of the group for the safety of others
- A rider with an e-bike should ride with the same pace rides they would ride without an e-bike. It is unsafe to use an e-bike to ride two or more levels beyond your ability with a regular bike. Beyond physical stamina and capability comes a skill set developed by faster riders that includes paceline and knowledge of bike handling that a D rider will not possess.
- Etiquette:
- It is considered bad form for an e-bike rider to aggressively pass regular bike riders up steep hills
- An e-bike rider should ride at the pace of the other riders
- An e-bike rider should be certain they have sufficient battery reserve for the ride they have chosen (fully charged battery and spare if needed). It is not the Ride Leader’s responsibility to ensure that the e-bike rider is safely returned to the start point should they run out of battery; although they, or another rider, would be encouraged to do so
Class 1 – 750W/20 mph max, pedal assist
eBikes that are pedal-assist only, with no throttle, and have a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph.
Class 2 - 750W/20mph max, throttle activated only
eBikes that also have a maximum speed of 20 mph, but are throttle-assisted.
Class 3 – 750W/28mph max, pedal activated only. (Speed Pedelec)
eBikes that are pedal-assist only, with no throttle, and a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph.
Federal Law
For the purpose of this section, the term `low-speed electric
bicycle' means a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable
pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.), whose
maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a
motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20
mph.
Speed Pedelec ebikes – A new classification of bikes called ‘Speed Pedelecs’ have emerged which technically meet the bicycle definition for a 20 mph ebike. These e-bikes are designed to max out at 28 mph. Pedelecs are pedal activated vs throttle activated. The weasel words within the definition says, “20mph on motor alone”. Thus, a person who adds their leg power to the motor assist and happens to cruise at 28mph is
NOT doing it by motor alone, and therefore the bike is considered to be compliant with the Federal Law. If the rider stops pedaling, the speed pedelec cannot maintain speed.
