E-BIKE ETIQUETTE AND MORE
for non-throttled, peddle assist ebikes (pedalecs) riding with everyone else.
by Harvey Miller
Most of us long term club riders have an inkling for what cycling etiquette is supposed to mean. And, even if we can't talk more than 3 sentences on the subject we may easily get red in the face when we see the “rules” broken right in front of our eyes. So, yea, maybe we don't always practice them, we may not even be able to list the rules but we have no problem pointing out the violations. Cycling etiquette, however, takes on new meaning when the "rules" are still forming, as with that nettlesome invader: the assist only e-bike.
E-bike cycling etiquette is still working its way through the system and changing what used to be the tried and true rules of the road. It's a sociologist's dream: the formation of societal rules and how they work to strengthen the organization of the sub-culture (us). Or, returning to Earth, maybe it's based on the more fighting-the-change spirit: e-bike rules that work to clearly define the boundaries between the “real” cyclists and the “wanna-be” cyclists. Being the cynical optimist that I am, there's truth in both explanations. Here's a couple of examples.
Hill riding
The e-bike cyclist, when mixed with their acoustic bike brethren, shall not be the first to reach the top of a meaningful hill. Violate this rule and one runs the risk of earning anger points. Do it enough and the anger points go from sub-textual poses to actual verbal criticism, or worse. What's interesting is that if the e-cyclist reaches the top of the hills in last place often enough they are barely even considered an e-cyclist! So the rule is, get to the top, but especially not in first place if you don't want to appear arrogant or rude. And, get to the top but not too often in last place if you want to be counted among the living. This new etiquette rule may be impossible to apply, though, if an e-biker wants to lead a ride, see below.
Ride Leading
If an acoustic cyclist/leader starts the ride a bit on the fast side, well it's not okay but few will demand otherwise. Perhaps complaining about the "high" speed on an acoustically led ride is a threat to the respect one fought so hard to obtain for too many years. After all, even if the ride isn't billed as anything resembling a race, few want to appear the killjoy, a wimp, or weak. But that etiquette/tradition/relationship doesn't apply if the ride is led by an e-biker. Maybe that's a good thing as it allows all the potential kvetchers to finally release their inner angst. Complaining to the e-bike leader about the speed, even if the other riders are keeping up, no longer carries all that extra baggage. Such a thankless service the e-biker performs, but I digress. So the etiquette rule for e-bikes is, always start way too slow, regardless of any published speeds otherwise written in the club's definitions, at least if you don't want to fit the stereotype of a wanna-be racer, etc.
The above two etiquette summaries really become a clash of cycling etiquette when the ride combines the two: that is, when the e-biker leads a hilly ride.
Hilly Ride Leading
Lead a hilly ride on an acoustic bicycle and everyone involved thinks the ride is a welcome, fun, looked forward to challenge. Try to lead one on an e-bike and the new cycling etiquette emerges from the deep, hidden crevices of the clashing, newborn, previously unforseen. It can be summed up with the rule: thou shalt not ever lead a very hilly ride on an e-bike when most of the other cyclists are acoustic, regardless of any logic otherwise. Even if the e-biker promises to keep the group together, to go to the top of the hill within a few feet of the other riders, to pay money to the other riders for joining the ride, etc., it just isn't acceptable, period. The only way the leader's e-bike can get involved with leading a hilly ride is if the e-bike leader either doesn't ride their beloved e-bike or, better yet, offers another rider the chance to ride their e-bike while the leader rides an acoustic.
It's hard to make a new riding etiquette rule out of this reality but, here goes. Perhaps the new rule is: An e-bike leader on a very hilly ride should be patient and wait for the world to change. In the meantime, schedule the ride and get the Leader's Points for leading if no one shows up knowing that, eventually (it may take years), they will.
The good news is that, besides the above, e-bike club riding shares all of the etiquette rules that all cyclists should follow, the more important ones being:
- Always Yield to Pedestrians and Other Vehicles.
- Know Where You Can Ride Your Bike and where you can't.
- Wear a bicycle helmet.
- Use a mirror and/or radar unit to observe the rear view.
- Ride With the Flow of Traffic.
- Take enough "stuff" (tools, tubes, CO2, etc.) to be self sufficient.
- Say hello to other cyclists (wave, smile).
- Offer to help other cyclists who may be broken down.
- Look after the slowest rider(s).
- Be the change you want to see (if others jump lights & you don't, don't).
- Don't litter.
- Stay Alert and Aware (front, side and rear) and Sober.
- Signal Before Turning, Switching Lanes and warn before passing other cyclists AND pedestrians.
- Follow All Traffic Signs and Signals.
- If it's safe, use Hand Signals when slowing, stopping, turning and warning.
- Shout out and/or point to obstacles and when slowing or stopping.
- Wear bright clothing to be seen and/or:
- Use front and rear daytime lights, day and night.
- Keep your bicycle in good mechanical order.
- Never engage in road rage at other cyclists, pedestrians and/or motorists.<<<<!!!
- Don't forget to stay hydrated.
For a humorous list of bicycle etiquette rules, go to the following link:
https://www.velominati.com/