Thanks, John. At a minimum, I hope those particular ebikers get crowd-shamed out of bombing through like that.
Harry On Wed, Jul 10, 2019 at 8:24 PM Robbie via Bikies <[email protected]> wrote: > Don't keep your opinions to yourself! That's the fun of this list - a > little spirited debate. But also don't take insult if people disagree. > > Robbie Webber > State Smart Transportation Initiative > www.ssti.us > 608-263-9984 (office) > 608-225-0002 (cell) > > On Wed, Jul 10, 2019, 7:21 PM john wagnitz via Bikies < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> 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 < >> [email protected]> 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 < >> [email protected]> 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 < >> [email protected]> 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 <+1%20608%20278%207700> · Facsimile +1 608 278 >> 7701 <+1%20608%20278%207701> >> [email protected] · http://Arnold.US >> _______________________________________________ >> Bikies mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Bikies mailing >> [email protected]http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Bikies mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Bikies mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Bikies mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org >> > _______________________________________________ > Bikies mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org >
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