Joe Bikerider

The ca.gov site includes this ( https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-a...-laws-in-2023/ )

"Enhanced Safeguards for Bicycle Riders (AB 1909, Friedman)

Drivers are now required to change into another available lane, when possible, to pass cyclists, building on the current requirement for drivers to give cyclists at least three feet of space when passing. The law also permits Class 3 e-bike riders to use approved bicycle paths and trails, bikeways, and bicycle lanes. In addition, starting on January 1, 2024, the law allows cyclists to cross an intersection when a walk sign is on."

Not good news on the bike path regulations. Class 3 ebikes include those capable of 28 MPH. I think our state is going backwards on this. Individual paths can have different regulations, like our local East Bay Regional Parks which has a speed limit of 15mph. There are many ebikes that already exceed that limit. I predict many more in the future.

JW Fas

Knowing California, they'll "fix" the problem by instituting a state speed limit on bike trails and requiring all manufacturers to install speedometers on e-bikes.

retswerb

Speedometers on e-bikes is a great idea. People have no idea how fast they're going, no reference points to judge by.

FBinNY 

IMO the e-bike classes were poorly thought out from the getgo.

The e-bike category should be limited to pedal assist types, currently Class I, and all throttle units classed as light motorcycles, since that what they are.

I have no objections to motor assist as long as it remains essentially a human powered vehicle with the level of assistance inadequate to bring it beyond typical bicycle performance.

Throttle machines can then be regulated separately based on weight and max speed.

As the above implies, I agree that allowing Class III e-(motor)bikes on bicycle paths is not very sane.

As for the rest, I continue to believe that enacting pro bike rules without publicizing them aggressively only helps litigants and does nothing to help make bicycling safer.