Kavanaugh bill’s 15 mph speed limit too risky for eBike riders

Independent Newsmedia

OPINION — Congratulations to state Sen. John Kavanaugh for diligently protecting empty multiuse trails while forcing eCyclists into traffic.

Senate Bill 1008 is faulted and ill-thought-out. While the 5 mph proposed eBike speed limit around pedestrians on multiuse trails is quite reasonable, the 15 mph speed limit on unoccupied trails borders on the ridiculous.

Even a non-assisted bike can easily exceed that speed descending a hill, and then use the momentum to ascend the next hill. Yet Sen. Kavanaugh has only addressed eBikes?

Perhaps he is aware of some obscure law of physics which renders eBikes more likely to cause damage? And damage to what? It is an unoccupied trail?

While sensible, well-thought-out laws to protect the public safety are welcome, ill-conceived laws that decrease public safety are not.

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