Harry,I’d be happy to. The first instance occurred last week. I was traveling east on the capital city trail, crossing Dunning street (harmony bar). An eastbound commuter was attempting to pass me when a cyclist with a rear powered device traveling west at a high speed (25 mph?) came around the bend to catch the green light (I assume).Both were in the center lane and I thought a head on collision was inevitable. It wasn’t. Both got into their respective lanes and all ended well. The second instance occurred yesterday. Again, I was eastbound on the capital city trail. While crossing Thornton Avenue, I was passed by a cyclist with a rear powered device traveling east at a high speed, even though it was obvious (to me anyway) that the light ahead was red and bikes were queuing up. West bound cyclists were still coming toward us but he wasn’t slowing down for anything. While waiting at the light he was re-packing his luggage which had almost fallen off his bike. When the light turned green, he proceeded out onto Eastwood drive so he could beat all the bikes ahead of him waiting at the light. By the time I reached russel street, he was out of sight. It was the second incident, last night, that prompted my “hyperbolic” post. In retrospect, I should have waited to cool down before posting. In both instances nobody was hurt and maybe it was my own perception that danger was lurking. My apologies to anybody I offended. While I expected some spirited debate on the topic, I was a little surprised by the responses posted. Next time, I’ll keep my opinions to myself.John Wagnitz
On Wednesday, July 10, 2019, 4:22 PM, Harry Read via Bikies <bikies@lists.danenet.org> wrote: It's good to hear that most people posting here are not seeing much in the way of irresponsible ebike use but perhaps John Wagnitz can describe some specific instances that prompted his post. Responding to Jeff Schimpf's post, I agree that BCycle rentals are probably not going to make much of a difference. What I'm picturing is people purchasing ebikes to use for commuting that they would charge at home, for whom having electric assist makes bike commuting a more viable option vs driving--to cover a greater distance, faster with less exertion. I think that could lead to a big reduction in emissions. Harry Read On Wed, Jul 10, 2019 at 3:57 PM Brian C. Mink via Bikies <bikies@lists.danenet.org> wrote: Could not agree more, Be Best. My wife and I are lifelong road and touring cyclists. We're retired at this point an tandem cycle daily. We spent some 40 years on a range of high end tandems but in the last couple years both have developed Sacro Iliac Dysfunction which in recent years has limited out ride length and hill climbing. We as a matter of pain control had a custom tandem built with a Shimano Steps e-assist motor (250 watt mid drive) which is set to provide climbing assist when our speed drops below 12 mph (max assist speed restricted to 18mph) We ride on many local trails and bikeways on our way to Paoli, Bellville, Oregon, New Glarus, Monroe and points beyond. We have the luxury of riding during the day when there are a whole lot of similarly situated folks riding all of the trails around Madison on e-assist bike of one variety or another. I've yet to see anyone on an e-assist bicycle doing anything that even approaches the fears expressed in some earlier emails. Fact is hundreds of e-assist bikes are being used in active mode on Madison and Dane county bike trails and this has been true for several years. I see the opposite, lots of folks renting B-cycle e-assist bikes who are acting responsibly. Riding below the upper limit of e-assist speed restrictions (these are firmware restricted speed controls). Fact is I'm seeing 3X as many people riding bikes compared to last year. So let's temper the hyperbole and celebrate the fact that more people are cycling and cycling longer in years and miles. Brian Mink Monona, WI Matt Coppens via Bikies wrote on 7/10/19 1:05 PM: I too, at times, want to yell out into the void of the interwebs to create drama where none has existed before. But I don't, because I am a rational adult. So let's be real, there has been no notable accidents or incidents resulting in serious injuries or deaths. There has been nothing brought to the attention by local news outlets. And those who are riding said bicycles are probably more aware of their surroundings because of the precious cargo they carry. This post/chat has successfully wasted nearly 10min of my time in what equates to pointless squabbling. If you want to make great use of time here, let's focus on advocating for better roads, inclusion of separate bike lanes on reconstruction and resurfacing of roads, and more signage to alert drivers of cyclists. Be Best. On Wed, Jul 10, 2019, 12:45 Steve Arnold via Bikies <bikies@lists.danenet.org> wrote: On 7/9/2019 5:38 PM, john wagnitz via Bikies wrote: > Anybody taking bets on how long before we see a fatality on the bike > path in Madison? I predict before the end of the month. > The offenders are not riding B-Cycles but seem to all be riding “bikes” > with the Copenhagen wheel. I’m pretty sure they are breaking the speed > limit. Insofar as I know, there is no speed limit on Madison paths and state trails. What statute, ordinance, or administrative rule do you think establishes a speed limit? > The State Legislature gave local governments the power to regulate these > “bikes.” The "e-bike bill" has been passed by the Senate and recommended by an Assembly to the full house, but not passed by the Assembly or signed into law by the government. The powers you describe do not yet exist. > I hope any local officials reading this post will do something before > somebody gets seriously injured, or killed. > John Wagnitz The supporters of the e-bike bill (including the Wisconsin Bike Fed, the American Heart Association, the Cities and Chambers of Commerce of Madison and Milwaukee, Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Trek, Harley-Davidson, Uber, and the WI League of Municipalities) agree that differences in speed in congested areas, not speed, and especially not the source of motive power, are the source of many safety risks. They urge those who will have power to regulate the newly defined vehicles to first consider separation of modes, e.g., providing cycle tracks parallel to roads and separating multi-use paths into cycle tracks and pedestrian ways. This solution is in place and working well on the busiest active transportation facilities in Madison: the Capital City State Trail at Monona Terrace, where bike commuter and fishermen and -women safely coexist. If there is still a safety problem, or if mode separation is infeasible, then regulators should consider speed limits for all facility users, not just one vehicle type. We all have seen bicycle athletes on completely human-powered bikes hammering down multi-use paths without regard to other users. Why pick out e-bikes, or Copenhegen Wheel users, for special attention? -- Steve Arnold, Former Mayor, and Chair, Wisconsin Bike Fed Board of Directors Lobbying Committee 2530 Targhee Street, Fitchburg, Wisconsin 53711-5491 Telephone +1 608 278 7700 · Facsimile +1 608 278 7701 steve.arn...@fitchburg.wi.us · http://Arnold.US _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list Bikies@lists.danenet.org http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list Bikies@lists.danenet.org http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list Bikies@lists.danenet.org http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list Bikies@lists.danenet.org http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org
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