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What’s The Deal with All These E-Bikes?

by Michelle Avola-Brown, Executive Director, Naples Pathways Coalition
here is a lot of discussion about electric vital, and Naples Pathways wants to work with more employers
bikes and where they should be allowed, to provide instruction for commuter cyclists. (We currently work
T as well as much confusion regarding with many restaurants and hotels to provide bike lights, helmets,
the different types of electric devices people are and safety instruction for their bike commuters. Please contact
riding. As the executive director of Michelle@NaplesPathways.org if you own or manage a business and
Naples Pathways Coalition, I am often asked would like us to assist your employees who bike to work.)
to weigh in. No matter the type of bike, riders need to understand that they
I am on the Policy and Programs sub-group of FDOT’s must slow down to pass people who are walking or biking. They
Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Coalition. The debate around electric must ride slower on any sidewalk where others are present and use
devices is happening all over the state, not just in Collier County. extreme caution when crossing a driveway or parking lot entrance.
Because of that, our group has been researching and reviewing what Cyclists are also required by law to use front and rear lights on their
is and is not working in other parts of the country and Florida, bikes between dusk and dawn, the same as automobile drivers, both
reviewing data related to where serious crashes are happening, and to see and be seen.
developing educational materials. The sooner the Paradise Coast Trail is completed, with more
The bikes that are becoming more common but difficult to multi use pathways connecting to it, the sooner everyone can safely
categorize are e-bikes with souped up engines or those whose get where they are going. The Paradise Coast Trail will be a nearly
users have added motors or engines to regular bikes. These devices 80 mile paved, 12 foot wide multi use pathway system separated
require no pedaling assistance by the rider like Class 2 e-bikes, from the road. It will connect Naples to Bonita Springs, Marco
but they often go much faster than the 20 mph max available on Island, Collier Seminole State Park, Ave Maria, and Immokalee.
commercially sold Class 2 e-bikes. The Naples Pathways Coalition The Paradise Coast Trail will also become part of the Florida Gulf
Board of Directors and I refer to these bikes as “throttle bikes”and Coast Trail, which will extend 420 miles from Collier through
feel they should be categorized as a type of motorcycle. As such, Hillsborough counties and the Collier to Polk Trail that will go up
we want education and licensing to become mandatory for bikes the middle of the state.
requiring no pedaling. Having ridden on numerous trails in Florida, Pennsylvania, and
We often see commuter cyclists riding these “throttle bikes.” Illinois, I have experienced first hand that 12 foot wide pathways
Honestly, it’s for good reason. Many of these individuals are can accommodate people who walk, run, stroll with their dogs
traveling 20 or 30 miles one way to get to low paying, labor or children, and ride regular and electric bikes. Sidewalks are too
intensive service industry jobs. Statistically, these hard-working narrow to accommodate all the people who need to use them,
individuals are also those who are most frequently injured or but our roads are too dangerous to force bike riders onto them.
killed in crashes with automobiles. With them often wearing Although bicycles have the same rights and responsibilities as cars
dark uniforms, having never had a driver’s license, and riding long when using the road, we are much more vulnerable there because
distances before the sun comes up or long after it sets, both roads we don’t have thousands of pounds of steel around us.
and sidewalks are dangerous places for them to ride. On average, nine people die every day on Florida roads, and six
Some people tell me they want to ban all electric bicycles from of these tragic deaths are attributed to distracted driving.
sidewalks. However, after we talk and consider the type of bike To make matters worse, Florida drivers kill more cyclists and more
they have had conflicts with (or, more often, are perceiving conflicts pedestrians than any other state.
with), the “throttle bikes” are the issue. Despite the overcrowding To learn more about the Paradise Coast Trail, please visit
of our sidewalks, there are relatively few crashes between “throttle www.NaplesPathways.org/PCTrail. To help us in our mission to
bikes” and pedestrians or other bicycle riders, although anyone create a safe, bikeable and walkable community, please become a
zipping by unexpectedly can be extremely startling. Automobile member at www.NaplesPathways.org/Join. To volunteer and become
drivers are the biggest threat to any pedestrian or cyclist, with the part of the solution, or if you have questions or suggestions, please
greatest likelihood of causing severe injuries or deaths. email me at Michelle@NaplesPathways.org
Until Collier County has a safe transportation network for
people who bike and walk, pushing electric bicycles onto our
roadways would be irresponsible and dangerous. Education is

30 Life in Naples | April 2024