The metropolis of Coronado has lengthy been referred to as a pedestrian-friendly, and sidewalk-safe place to stay or go to. Recently although, over the course of just some years, the streets of Coronado have been launched to a brand new sort of pedestrian, these on electrical bicycles. Electric bicycles, or “e-bikes” are outlined by Merriam-Webster as “a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that may be activated in order to assist with or replace pedaling.” Just like a daily bicycle, e-bikes are available many sizes and shapes, however in contrast to their motor-less counterparts, e-bikes will be categorized into three courses. These courses assist outline when and the place every completely different sort of e-bike will be rode.
Class 1 e-bikes are geared up with an electrical motor that’s solely use is to help when a rider is already pedaling. These are probably the most much like a normal pedal bicycle, and often stop to help the rider at high velocity of 20 mph. Class 2 is much like Class 1, in that in addition they high out at a velocity of 20 mph, however these motors can be utilized with or with out the rider pedaling. Lastly there’s Class 3, which as soon as once more requires the rider to be pedaling for the motor to help, however these high out at a velocity of roughly 28 mph. It can be essential to notice that Class 4 electrical bikes exist, however usually are not legally permitted for street use underneath the U.S. electrical bike classification system, as a result of their high velocity is larger than 28 mph.
As beforehand said, these classifications assist decide the place you might be legally allowed to journey your e-bike, primarily based on its class. In California, Class 1 and a pair of e-bikes are sometimes allowed anyplace bicycles are allowed. I spoke to Janine Zúñiga, Senior Management Analyst for the City of Coronado, to raised perceive Coronado’s rules relating to e-bikes. “The City has no regulations specifically pertaining to the relatively new phenomena of electric bikes but all regulations on bicycling addressed in the Municipal Code includes e-bikes,” she mentioned. “For example, electronic bicycles must follow the same provisions of the California Vehicle Code outlined in CMC Chapter 56.08 that apply to all bicycles such as required equipment, prohibitions on certain sidewalks, and all general rules of the road,” she continued. Any particular person in violation of the bicycle codes outlined in CMC Chapter 56.08 will probably be charged a primary time superb not exceeding $50. A second offense inside one 12 months of the primary offense will lead to a superb not exceeding $100. A third infraction is not going to exceed $250. Zúñiga additionally famous that “the City has seen an increase in the number of e-bikes in Coronado, including among students who are riding them to school in growing numbers.”
The variety of e-bikes is just not solely rising amongst locals, however amongst these visiting Coronado as nicely. Over the previous few years there was a gradual enhance in rental choices for e-bikes in Coronado in addition to different elements of San Diego. One firm, Wheel Fun Rentals, primarily based in Coronado, supplies a “self guided e-bike tour” round city. In order to lease an e-bike from them, or take the tour, you will need to adhere to a large number of guidelines in place to make sure rider security. According to the Wheel Fun Rentals web site, riders have to be at the least 16 years of age, and at the least one member of the rental social gathering have to be 18 years of age or older. Each rental features a helmet, and it’s required that each rider put on it at some point of their journey. Like a majority of different e-bike rental firms, some secure using etiquette can be posted on their web site. A couple main suggestions embody; “Maintain safe speeds of under 10 mph when near other cyclists and pedestrians. Be prepared to take evasive action or stop suddenly relating to vehicles, other riders, or pedestrians. When approaching slower riders, pass on their left hand side and verbally state “on your left” as you strategy them to forestall incident.”
While there are quite a few rules, automobile codes, and security suggestions surrounding using e-bikes, this has grow to be considerably of a dividing subject in Coronado. Many residents concern the attainable risks of e-bikes on the streets and sidewalks, whereas many different residents have discovered themselves the house owners of their very personal e-bike. The sense of fear amongst a lot of the city comes after a number of stories of e-bike associated accidents and accidents throughout San Diego. In a latest article revealed by NBC 7 San Diego, mom Erica Davis detailed the second her 6-year-old son was hit by two boys using an e-bike alongside North Torrey Pines Beach. “I can still see his face and his body hitting the ground,” mentioned Davis. “It’s awful.” Her son was taken to Rady Children’s Hospital the place he was handled for cuts and bruises.
Unfortunately because the variety of e-bikes on the street grows bigger, so does the opportunity of accident and harm. I spoke with John Cihomsky, Vice President of Public Relations and Communications for Sharp Healthcare, about any developments Sharp Coronado has seen in recent times. “I got some feedback from our doctors,” Cihomsky mentioned. “There are not specific codes to track e-bike injuries so pulling exact data is not possible. However, anecdotal trending appears to suggest an increasing burden of e-bike injuries as more people are purchasing and or renting said devices, but naturally the number of normal non-electric bike injuries remains higher as a far greater proportion of folks are riding these types of bicycles,” he continued. Cihomsky additionally famous that “e-bike injuries seen and treated at Sharp Coronado have included head injuries and extremity fractures, including a tibial plateau fracture, ie, a break of the larger lower leg bone below the knee that breaks into the knee joint itself.”
It would appear that the variety of accidents attributable to e-bikes is, in truth, rising parallel to the variety of e-bikes accessible. But this is also mentioned about different types of transportation, together with common bicycles. According to the Journal of Clinical Medicine (MDPI), “The overall E-bike injury pattern is similar to that of cyclists.” But one key distinction which may be essential to notice is the severity of harm. MDPI states that e-bike accidents “had a higher incidence of moderate traumatic brain injuries than patients with bicycle accidents, in spite of the fact that E-bike riders were nearly twice as likely to wear a helmet as compared to bicycle riders.”
On July 14, the Mobility Commission held a gathering to debate the subject of e-bike security in Coronado. The Mobility Commission is an advisory group, with the aim of serving to create a secure, multi-modal group. While no official plans have been made relating to e-bike security, the Commission has been made conscious of the group’s issues. These conferences are open to the general public, and can be live-streamed or watched after the actual fact. If you want to watch the assembly, or view the town’s assembly library, and future assembly schedule, go to https://www.coronado.ca.us/.
VOL. 112, NO. 30 – July 27, 2022