JANE LEWIS, San Clemente
I agree that some e-bikes need more regulation, but people need to realize that there are different classes of e-bikes. I also agree that some e-bikes are really a type of motorcycle.
I have a Class 1 e-bike. It is ped-assist, which means that if I don’t pedal, it goes nowhere. I have a battery assist, which helps with hills, etc. It allows me to go on more trails, ride more easily into the wind, and to ride longer. It is also quiet, just like a regular bike.
It is not a speed demon. Racing bikes go much faster. Class 1 bikes do not even have a throttle.
The e-bikes that I think people complain about are the ones that have pedals that the riders don’t use. If you don’t have to use the pedals, it isn’t truly a bike.
I believe when talking about e-bikes and creating legislation, the people involved need to be educated and aware that they don’t all fit under one umbrella.