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From: Michael B. Menaker <br />To: City Council <br />Subject: a -bikes <br />Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024 8:56:23 PM <br />Dear Mayor and Council, <br />While I am glad to see you reviewing our e-bike policies, the issues surrounding e-bikes are <br />more complex than they might first appear. Understanding e-bke "Classes" is critical to getting <br />it right on policy. <br />Simply stated Throttles bad. Pedal assist good. <br />Pedal assisted e-bikes are bicycles with a little bit of help added. If you're not pedaling there is <br />no assistance. <br />Bicycles with throttles are NOT bicycles at all ... though they have pedals, the pedals are only <br />for show and not designed to be used (look at the cranks) ... in reality they are Frankenscooters <br />and have more in common with Vespas and the like than bicycles. <br />The industry hasn't helped understanding the differences. Both Class 1 and 3 e-bikes are pedal <br />assist only. Class 2 are the ones with throttles. That's counter intuitive and confusing. <br />It's the bikes with throttles„ ridden by young folks without a drivers license that are the <br />problem. To ride a 50cc Vespa, you need a valid driver's license. To ride a Class 2 e-bike no <br />license is required— even though some are capable of higher speeds than the Vespa. <br />The regulatory solution is simple and obvious... require a driver's license to operate an e-bike <br />with a throttle. Easy and done in one. Don't penalize real bicycles with pedal assist because <br />you're confused by the classifications. <br />Just like your car, which is capable of speeds in excess of 100mph, but never driven at that <br />speed, Class 1 and 3 e-bikes with assistance to 220 mph or 28mph are rarely ridden at those <br />speeds. Indeed riding our trails - both paved and dirt I am often passed by younger riders <br />traveling much faster. Road bikes are often ridden at speeds well above 20 mph. <br />Please, stop by our local and very good e-bike shop, e-Bikes of Colorado on Front Street and <br />familiarize yourself with the differences in the various types of bikes before taking action... <br />You may ride out on a new e-bike. <br />Best, <br />Michael <br />Michael B. Menaker <br />1827 W. Choke Cherry Dr. <br />Louisville, CO 80027 <br />303,588,8781 <br />