Letters

Although I do agree with most of what Desiree Keegan said in her piece last week [“Playground Expansions, E-Bike Policies in the Works in Hampton Bays School District,” 27east.com, August 21], I must clarify one point and support the responsible use of e-bikes.

As mentioned, there are three classes of e-bike: Class 1, 2 and 3. Both Class 1 and 3 are pedal-assist bikes, which means you must pedal or the bike won’t move. The motor is there to assist you. A Class 3 e-bike generally has a more powerful motor and a higher maximum speed. However, as far as I know, they are not illegal as Keegan stated.

A Class 2 e-bike is essentially an electric moped, as it has a throttle, so you can zoom along with no effort on your part. You’ll recognize a Class 2 bike when you see it going by and the rider is not pedaling. One could argue that Class 2 e-bikes should require a license, but that’s an argument for another time.

E-bikes are here to stay and, in many cases, for good reasons. Quite often, longtime cyclists develop medical issues and must give up their road bikes and opt for an e-bike if they want to stay active. Secondly, there are economic reasons. Automobiles and motorcycles have gotten so very expensive that e-bikes provide an affordable alternative, especially in areas with limited public transportation.

I belong to a cycling club in Florida with over 400 members, and a committee spent the past year developing a position on e-bikes. After all was said and done, we agreed that it’s the rider and not the bike that can be a problem. We’ve all seen cyclists blow through stop signs and lights. Some ride facing traffic, which is contrary to Department of Motor Vehicle regulations. Some insist on riding two and three abreast. Riding on sidewalks is acceptable in many cases but should not be the rule.

I guess what I’m saying is that I agree that we should do everything possible to educate anyone who rides an e-bike or other battery-operated vehicle — especially our kids, if our schools can develop an effective program. And special emphasis should be placed on wearing helmets. They do save lives.

The East End is a wonderful place to be, especially “in season.” However, the population increase and the traffic we all face every day exacerbate the situation. Drivers are in a hurry, frustrated to sit in traffic and, in some cases, don’t really see cyclists, e-bikers or skateboarders. No one wants to be responsible for injuring another person, least of all a kid.

The bottom line, at least to me, is the sign we often see, as trite as it may sound: We really do need to “share the road,” but responsibly.

John N. Mitchell

Hampton Bays

Class 3 e-bikes are legal in New York City but not the rest of New York State — Ed.