Because the test results demonstrated that both types of e-bikes (EABs and EPBs)
were equally safe, it is recommended that no restrictions on the type of power assist
provided by the motor be included in the new regulations EABs were electric assisted, and EPBs were full powered electric powered bicycles. Contradicts TCU assertions that only EABs should be allowed.

It is no more logical to have bicycles and ebikes share the roadway with cars than it is for pedestrians to share the roadway with cars. I think we accept this intuitively that cars and pedestrians do not mix and build sidewalks, yet do not accept that bicycles (including ebikes) and cars do not mix and do not build bike lanes.

My recommendations to the study is first, to enforce the laws already on the books for cyclists regarding traffic violations. Second, make it a priority for building bike lanes. Make it mandatory that each time a road is rebuilt, it must either contain extra width to accommodate a marked bike lane, or it must have a separated bike lane. Second, continue the construction of bike boxes on every major intersection. Give bicycles and pedestrians a few seconds head start before other traffic. Third, pave all gravel shoulders on highways and have the "shoulder" of the road clearly marked to differentiate it from the main paved section. Fourth, all new apartment buildings shall provide in addition to car parking spaces, a designated secure lockups for bicycles and ebikes, with a certain portion of those with a 120 volt plug in for recharging. And last but not least, stop the war on the ebike, give it the same status as a bicycle as the Federal and Provincial legislation originally intended.

+1 on that Allan

I will only point out that versus building more biking infrastructure, if bike safety is the main concern, the cheapest and quickest "fix" to implement is just lowering speed limits in urban areas (as is being done elsewhere eg Vancouver.) It'd reduce the seriousness of injuries for bike folks AND pedestrians...

LocK

Possibly another rider down...
http://www.stcatharin...

Police appeal to crash witnesses

By Standard Staff

Updated 1 day ago

Niagara Regional Police are asking witnesses of a crash that injured a senior citizen Friday morning to come forward.

Around 10:30 a.m., a 73-year-old St. Catharines man was crossing Louth Street near 4th Avenue on an electric scooter when he was struck by a car. The vehicle, a blue four-door Buick sedan, was traveling southbound on Louth at the time of the collision and was driven by an 86-year-old man.

The scooter driver was treated at the scene for what appeared to be minor injuries and was allowed to go home. Later, he was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The Niagara Regional Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating. Any witnesses are asked to call (905) 688-4111 ext. 5500.

This might have been a mobility scooter and not an ebike... EVen online [C]omments aren't clear:

There are vast number of people who live in that area (more specifically the building behind Ridley Plaza) that drive those electric scooters. It's a wonder that nobody has been killed yet.

The problem with those scooters is that they think they are pedestrians, bicycles and cars at the same time. The way they dart from sidewalk to road and ignore all traffic rules it is no wonder more people aren't hurt. They just go too fast for that.

I am all for environmental things, but I think there should be some licensing and/or basic road training (I can't believe I just suggested more bureaucracy!)

I know there are some good scooter drivers, but I seem to see more and more bad ones lately.

"The problem with those scooters is that they think they are pedestrians, bicycles and cars at the same time".
I believe the problem is poor design freddyb.
These people on scooter have nowhere to go but on the sidewalks or the roads.
Most of the city and mall parking lots don't even have dedicated paths for drivers once they parked their cars. Think of what it must be like for these people when they want to from the UPS in Ridley Square Plaza to Best Buy on the other side of a very busy road! They have to drive accross parking lots where there is actually no safe path for them to use. Some "designers" we have!

Cyclist Forced Onto Sidewalk, Then Hit By Car!!!



Man charged after violent confrontation between driver and cyclist
Published 1 hour 5 minutes ago


A man has been arrested after a confrontation between a driver and a cyclist in Toronto.

On Wednesday morning, police say a driver and a cyclist were travelling southbound on Ossington Ave. turning left onto Harbord St.

The driver, a 38-year-old man, passed the 35-year-old woman in the oncoming lanes and an argument ensued.

The man then allegedly turned his car towards the woman, forcing her onto the sidewalk and driving alongside her. Police say he then hit her with the car, knocking her off her bike to the ground, before fleeing.

The woman suffered minor injuries.

A few hours later, 38-year-old Matthew Nettleton turned himself in to police. He has been charged with failure to stop after an accident, dangerous operation and assault with a weapon.

The incident occurred just two days after 38-year-old cyclist Jenna Morrison was struck and killed by a truck at Dundas and Sterling Rd.

No charges were laid against the driver in her death.

http://www.thestar.co...

Be safe - cheers

Still no word whether this was actually an ebike or a mobility scooter... sad, regardless:
http://www.stcatharin...

Driver dies after being hit while riding scooter

By Standard Staff

Posted 3 hours ago

Niagara Regional Police have released the name of a man who died after being hit while riding his electric scooter on Louth St. last month.

Police said Edward Hoekstra, 73, succumbed Thursday to injuries he suffered while crossing Louth St. near 4th Ave. on Oct. 28.

Police said an 86-year-old man was driving a Buick sedan south on Louth St. when the vehicle and Hoekstra collided.

Police investigated the collision and it appeared Hoekstra had minor injuries. He was released at the scene of the collision. The other driver wasn't injured.

Police said Hoekstra returned home and was later taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.

Witnesses who were present at the time of the collision are asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service Collision Reconstruction Unit at 905-688-4111 ext 5500.

http://icehockey.wiki...

EDIT: Seen here:
http://www.stcatharin...

Ed Hoekstra, a father of six, was diagnosed with MS about 25 years ago and used an electric scooter to get around, his brother said.

...pretty sure then this was a mobility scoot.

This ebiker is actually in Alabama, but the lesson here for all ebikers is caution when rolling over bridges etc with wet wooden surfaces!
http://www.youtube.co...




1oCk

There was an accident around 6 pm last night at Kingston Road and Raisnford Drive in the Beaches. I saw a wrecked ebike on the street. Police, ambulance and fire were on the scene. I have no idea of the condition of the rider.

Rider Down post from Ottawa...

Bob Sharp is a HAM radio operator and member (past-Prez and stalwart) of the Ottawa Valley Mobile Radio Club (OVMRC). For the last four years he has been blogging about his radio experiences as "The Amateur Radio World of VA3QV", here:
http://va3qv.wordpres...

...and this week he posted a "Year 2011 in Review" with significant items from the last 12 months. Including:

In a non-radio moment I also purchased my EBIKE in early April. The “Electric Vespa” as I call it was a great deal of fun and saved me time and money. Due to our very strange winter this year I managed to ride it from April to December with it being parked just before Christmas… (What Global Warming eh?)

Then this entry for May:

Early May also found me flat on my back when I injured my back after a front tire blow out on my “Electric Vespa”. No road rash so … it could have been worse..

Sounds like Bob and the bike got away with no serious injuries...

No details about how the new(?) tire/tube "blew", except one theory might be that last April in Ottawa, early in the month daily high temps were barely reaching mid-teens with many nights below freezing still. By early May most days were reaching high teens and the freezing nights were gone. If Bobs tires were pumped to the max in April it's possible they became over-inflated as the warmer days and hotter pavements came on...

LocK

http://www.theobserve...

68 tickets issued in bike blitz

Monday, May 14, 2012 3:32:44 EDT PM

Sarnia police wrapped up their bike blitz last week, handing out a total of 68 provincial offence notices to city cyclists.

Police cracked down on cycling violations from May 6 to May 12 as part of a bicycle safety month initiative.

Most offences involved in the improper use of sidewalks and crosswalks, police said.

In one incident, a 58-year-old female cyclist was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Sycamore and Indian Roads. The woman’s ankle was broken in the collision, which occurred when she rode her bike through a crosswalk.

An electric bike driver was sent to hospital after a collision with a car in another incident. The E-bike driver sustained minor injuries and the driver of the vehicle was charged with careless driving.

Other violations were handed out for equipment infractions.

Police gave several riders ‘option four,’ where the offence notice is withdrawn provided the cyclist attend an educational session.