We see them all over Westport: teenagers, and even some tweens, riding electric bikes.
They pop wheelies on the Post Road. They weave in and out of traffic. Some rider don’t wear helmets.
We worry, for their safety — and ours.
And we wonder: What are the laws?
The rules are far less black-and-white than we imagine. Lt. Anthony Prezioso, a shift commander with the Westport Police Department, has studied them in depth.
(He’s also looked at scooters, motorcycles and ATVs, all of which have registration and licensing requirements. But e-bikes have the fewest regulations, and are the most popular with kids.)
There are 3 categories of electric bikes — which, with pedals, are similar to bicycles, but also have a battery, motor of less than 750 watts, and controller.
Class 1 — the most common — has no throttle. Its speed is limited to 20 miles an hour. The rider can pedal to make it go faster — and it can go up to 40 mph, particularly downhill — but at 20 mph, the motor cuts off.
Class 2 is similar to Class 1. The bikes look almost the same, and they too have a 20 mph cutoff. But a throttle on the handle — like a motorcycle — offers another way to control the bike.
Because the battery drains quickly, these bikes are not as popular as Class 1.
Class 3 e-bikes are subject to the most Connecticut laws. These are pedal-assisted too, lack a throttle, but the motor can reach 28 mph — “pretty good speed,” Prezioso notes.
They are not allowed to be ridden by anyone under 16 (though younger passengers are permitted), and are banned on most public roads. They can be ridden on trails, state parks, etc., by local ordinance.
Class 3 e-bike.
All 3 categories are “street legal,” Prezioso says. That means they can be ridden on bikes lanes or the shoulder of streets, even the Post Road.
Like bicycles, riders are supposed to stop at stop signs, and obey all other rules.
In Connecticut, e-bike riders are required to wear helmets. However, there are no rules regarding licenses, registrations or insurance.
If an e-bike rider is in the middle of the road, say, or popping a wheelie, an officer can treat it like a motor vehicle stop.
However, they don’t want to make a dangerous situation worse. Teenagers can panic, and try to flee. Officers must use their best judgment. Sometimes, Prezioso says, they’ll simply follow the rider to his destination.
Is this a Class 1, 2 or 3 bike? The riders are on the shoulder of Post Road East, near Turkey Hill — but they’re not wearing helmets. (Photo/Diane Lowman)
“Education is important,” the lieutenant emphasizes. “Parents may not realize the rules, especially with Class 3 bikes.”
The Westport Police Department needs parents’ help to keep Westport’s teens and tweens — and everyone else — safe.
It’s a never-ending job. The technology changes often.
And kids are the first to know what’s new, and cool.
Be careful out there.
Good luck getting the parents to control proper use of these E bikes. Just like most of the adult bicycle riders, stopping for a stop sign or red light is too much trouble. Time and time again these riders put everyone in jeopardy. Then they blame the vehicle driver when they get hit. E Bikes are an accident just waiting for a place to happen.
Great info. Thanks for sharing. Would it be possible to share this information regarding e-scooters too? Would love to understand the rules around them.
one can follow all the rules. The weight of cars and trucks are disproportionate to a bike. Is the risk worth the reward ? Think carefully. Go slow.
The impact of a 60 pound bike and a Chevy Suburban? You can only be so careful.
Dan. why do you permit such ignorance ?
I clean his grout for free 😎😘
I clean grout for free (if you’re a Staples grad)
Actually Fogel, your negative comment on the character of Dr. Buchroeder is against the rules of this blog. Lighten up.
It’s really sad and disturbing given recent events that parents continue to allow their kids to not only us e-bikes, but electric scooters, on busy and dangerous roads.
I am a westport resident but my daughter living in DC and baby due in a month was walking on the sidewalk hit from behind by an E scooter rider who was on the phone
Knocked violently to the ground
As far as we know no permanent damage to mum or baby but pure luck
I hope it never happens in Westport.
It is a serious problem
Peter
Whizzer. America’s finest motorbike. Remember?
They look like fun but most of the ones I witness are at night on North Avenue with tiny flashlight-like lights and young folks riding in dark clothing with no helmets. A recipe for disaster.
Can’t echo enough what Lieutenant Prezioso emphasizes: “Education is important”! We all need to be educated how to act on the road, as a pedestrian, as a person on a bike, and as a driver.
In most European countries it is part of the elementary school curriculum to get theoretical AND practical education on how to ride a bike in traffic.
In my hometown, Basel, we would visit the “traffic garden”, a miniature ‘city/road network’ that allows for children to learn how to ride on ‘streets’, how to indicate your turn, how to change lanes etc. (see picture below)
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p/AF1QipM9E9sxGQjERZNbpoY7M1qXxtexU7keX-Y1F_C7=s1360-w1360-h1020
Bikewestport.org is working on introducing such education here in Westport as well. If you’re interested in learning more, please join the movement.
I was recently in Basel. it’s incredible. The infrastructure blows us away. The interaction of cars trucks motorcycles e bikes and bikes are amazingly safe. The citizens do not honk horns and are respectful to one another.
The blog is about safety especially in lieu of a young man who lost his life in Westport on an e bike. Your disrespect to the 06880 community is not appreciated. Your mocking of a serous issue is ignorant and immature. The topic is not about you and your grievances. You need to get in touch with your hate and disdain and your obsessions with me. I don’t know why I live so much inside your sick head. The number of the American Psychiatric Association is 7039077300 in Arlington Virginia. Try to get a grip on your feelings and need for trying to hurt other people.
Fogel, your response to Ms. Jacob’s comment was condescending and your continuing spat with Dr. Buchroeder is rather boring. Not sure who died and left you King but park your ego elsewhere please.
Bravo Zulu Colonel Jessup.
I had lunch today in Arlington, Virginia. The restaurant was Saigon Saigon on 1101 South Joyce St. Great restaurant!
Speaking of Switzerland Tina Turner was my favorite rock superstar. When I was in college I saw her in concert in Springfield and caught a maraca that she threw out to the audience. I was sadder than anyone when she left the US to become a Swiss citizen. It was because the healthcare was so much better in Switzerland and she was known to have orthopedic “issues.” But she met the love of her life there.