cheesepuff12

the title says it all. I'm in Plainfield IL and i want to ride my bike to work instead of my car due to gas, the problem is that its illegal to ride them here. Its like, i have to go to work to get money to get gas so that i can drive to work . and i think its unfair that they keep this way of transportation illegal for us . how should i go about doing a petition?

karma

you could start a webpage.

jerryt

I suggest you write to your city.
Mopeds (gas) were banned in Elgin, Ill until recently (?) until someone wrote to the city and was able to get the ban lifted.

Read the thread at a moped forum

https://www.mopedriders.org/viewtopic...&highlight=ban

If that fails write to your newspaper

cheesepuff12

this is a start. any more ideas? i will try them all provided that they are a good idea.

cheesepuff12

OK, so here is a rough draft of what I am going to send to the city - please, i know there are some grammaical errors on it, that's why its not the final copy. Tell me what you guys think.



I, and many others in the community, want to lift the ban on Bicycles with electrical assist. As you may know, in the last few years gas has gone up in price to where there is a major economical benefit from electric bikes. With many citizens spending more of their income on filling their gas tanks, we see it fitting for a new, more affordable way of transportation. Scientist scramble to create more fuel efficient cars, other resort to public transportation. The answer we've all been looking for in this city is right under our noses.


Coincidentally, we have been found a way, but by law it so happens to be an "illegal" way of getting around. I ask you, does the city think it is fair to keep a very simple and environmentally friendly way of getting around restricted from even people who, sadly, go to work to get money for gas just so they can get to work? Is it not time the city realized the need for such vehicles as an electric bicycle to get around? Other cities have. They saw that gas was a problem and they then allowed E-bikes (electric bicycles) to help fix the problem. You see, the advantage to having an electric motor to help you move around is that one can travel distances of 20, 30, even 50 miles on a single charge of a battery for just penny's per mile and less harm to the environment.


One question that bothers me is that other cities have seen the need for bikes like this, why haven't we? Why is this very cheap and efficient way of getting around still illegal? Why are we not realizing the potential of these bikes and there ability for relief at the pump? Other places have wised up and lifted the ban on these bicycles because they are a simple solution to what we have been trying to archive - a safe, cheap what to get around. I ask you, what are the harm of letting these bikes become a legal way of getting around? What bad things does the city think they will do? What is preventing this type of vehicle from being used legally when clearly this now can be seen as a feasible way of getting around?


Now more than ever, there is a need for vehicles such as this and I think the city knows it, and if they didn't, they do now. We the people want to see a day where we no longer have to deal with traffic, when instead a ride on a bike through the park is an option. And where using a battery prevails over using a gasoline engine. Where there is a need for change, there will be a solution, and the people of this city don't want that solution to be banned any more. We see the road as the past and the bike trail as the future. Where the price at the pump is something we needn't care about any more. Where the city realized the solution and answered the cry of help that we called out for, and made this city a step ahead of the rest. We need this city to be that city.

Obi-Wan zenabI

Paragraphing helps.... people don't really read stuff, they just skim it. Package it for easier consumption and it's more likely to gain traction in Bureaucracyland.

Solar.110mb

I am surprised they are illegal there. Leave it up to government to stick their nose in our business and tell us what we can or cannot do. They suck, damn tyrants. I hope you didn't find out the hard way by getting a ticket? I hope you get ebikes legalized, I find them so enjoyable and they are nearly free transportation.

cheesepuff12

Well, i dont have one...yet. before I was guna buy one, i called the police department and asked about the rules and laws on E-bikes. right away they said they were illegal. no acceptations what so ever. this made me mad cuz i had just purchased a LiFePO4 24v 20Ah battery for $455. if writing to the city dont work im guna make a petition and advertise the petition in the local news papers.

JinbaIttai

Write a local politician that could introduce it as a bill, to legalize motorized bikes. Whether or not it is true or accurate, fighting global warming is a popular new trend in politics and any bill that appears to combat it surely will make the politician look good.

juggleaddict

Wouldn't E bikes be SAFER??? because they can keep up with traffic even after your first 10 or 15 miles

and 2.) would anybody really enforce this law? Before this sounds silly, i know for a fact that if they were illegal where i live, that nobody would ever say anything about it if you had one.

cheesepuff12

very true. I'll use any edge i can. and yes juggle, that true for here as well, but i dont wana risk getting pulled over...

jerryt

Heres my take
1. I'm assuming the state of Illinois allows e-bikes.
2. Make sure the state law allows local ordinances to ban e-bikes (some state say cities can't ban them)
3. I think your letter should not mention e-bikes in conjunction with bike trails. Just concentrate on getting the e-bike ban lifted.
4. Your letter is too long; Some remarks in your letter are almost condecending; recommend you change those.

edit: The Elgin, Ill city saved face by explaining they overlooked mopeds since their law was written with e-scooters and pocket bikes in mind. So give your city a chance avoid embarassment.

5. Research and find out more about the ban lifted in Elgin, Ill for mopeds. Refer to that in your letter.
6. Is this letter addressed to a person representing your district?

JinbaIttai

I could see it enforced because of neighbors annoyed by roving bands of kids flying by on e-bikes. Or perhaps pissed off trail riders that somehow figure out you are motorized. I bet riding at 20 mph+ down a city sidewalk would do it too...

cheesepuff12

ok.

crackerdog

I serve on our local non-motorized transportation advisory board. First, I would check to see if it is illegal. Cops don't know the laws very well. Look up the code online or at your library or city hall. Might be that electric bikes are OK but engines aren't.
Next, your letter needs some editing. I find it works well to be positive and not condemning. It may well be that the law was written for another reason and they didn't forsee electric bikes back then. Now is a good time to update the law. Give them the 'federal standards' which show that others have thought this through and have come up with simple rules. Federally, ebikes under a certain wattage motor and with speed limiting are considered bicycles. Is there a nearby city that does allow ebikes? How is their ordinace written. Give your city a copy of that ordinance. I agree, don't mention trails. We don't allow ebikes on trails or multi-use trails. They can be used in bike lanes. I use an ebike for hauling trailers with my construction tools and materials which I could not do here with our steep hills. Mention that electric motors are quiet. Good luck and fight the good fight.

cheesepuff12

I called the police department and asked for the laws on the bikes. I dont know if any near by cities allow them. and thanks guys for your help. what else can i do to legalize e bikes?

Indie

A few thoughts...

1) Spellcheck, including grammar and punctuation. Don't just do an automatic spellcheck, have someone read it over and correct it.

2) Take out the personal address format. Take out the "as you may know" and "I ask you" stuff; it's too melodramatic. Politicians want straightforward facts with minimum wording. Emotional appeals might be scoffed at. Write it as if it were a business letter.

3) Find some statistics on e-bikes in cities that do allow them. Are they involved in as many accidents per capita as regular bikes, motor scooters, skateboards/rollerblades, or motorcycles? Are they involved in as many crimes, such as trespassing, unsafe stunt riding in unauthorized places, or street racing? Someone mentioned gangs of hooligans on e-bikes, and the mental image made me giggle. Around here the e-bikes are used by serious commuters who can't climb the hills and need motor assist. Our young hooligans are on boards and BMX bikes, and the grownup hooligans have motorcycles and tricked-out Honda Civics.

cheesepuff12

*UPDATE*

OK guys, I sent the e-mail and here is the response they gave me

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jerryt

The Ill. vehicle code is difficult to understand but I believe an e-bike is in the same category as a "motorized pedalcycle". If so, it has to be registered and licensed by the state in which case the city prolly can't prevent you from riding.
I would call or see the Dept of Motor Vehicles to verify.

crackerdog

According to the Plainfield IL municipal code, if you register it as a moped, you can drive it on the streets. Only motorized vehicles that can't be licensed are illegal. Segway riders don't like the law either. Get together with them too.

Solar.110mb

How about this= Buy or build your eBike and print yourself a copy of this US Federal law that supercedes any and all state laws that are more stringent than federal laws. Show this to the police if they pull you over, show it to the judge if they ticket you.
https://veloteq.com/pdf-files/pl07-319_act.pdf

jerryt

Fed doesn't regulate states regarding operation and licensing vehicles including electric bikes. This Fed law deals with safety.

Solar.110mb

Isn't the purpose of this law to reclassify an eBike as a Bicycle rather than a motor vehicle? If it is classified as a Bicycle, then States/Cities would have to treat all Bicycle's the same whether eBike or regular bike. If you require a license on an eBike then the same would be required for a regular bike?

maddyfish

If this is true this seems reasonable. Just register it, and put a plate on it.

swensen

I suggest reading more carefully, Federal law ALWAYS has supremacy over State law, only the fact that the Federal govt. has chosen not to regulate most aspects of motor vehicle law allows state regulation. In the case of the ebike rules the federal regulation specifically states that it is intended to supersede any more stringent state or local regulation. In this case your ordinance won't stand in court but you may have to appeal it upward at considerable expense if the local judge doesn't happen to agree with you.