A Summit County speed limit for bikes will make things worse

Tomorrow, the Summit County Council will vote on implementing a 15 MPH speed limit on paved trails, which will affect both traditional and e-bikes. While the measure has the best intentions in mind, the law will make things worse.

I am likely one of the longest users of E-Bikes in Summit County. Since 2016, I have been riding my various Pedego E-Bikes across the county. The number one issue is interactions with others on the paved trails. How do those of us on E-Bikes ensure we interact positively with slower people on the trails? If we do it right, we slow down for pedestrians. We slow WAY down for little kids. We ring our bells when passing. We pay attention to the situation and try not to act like assholes.

If that happens, the 20 MPH top speed of most e-bikes is just fine. The problem is not the speed; it’s the asshole. That asshole could be on an e-bike or a Pinarello. Both can go fast. It’s how they interact and no speed limit will change the interaction.

You may say, but what’s the harm with a speed limit? The harm that this proposed law will generate is animosity. As I ride past people at 13.5 MPH, inevitably, someone will shout to slow down because they think I am going too fast. I’ll then shout back about how I am not breaking any laws. Regardless, it elevates anger.

You may say that’s a small price to pay for safety. Yet, when I was riding to the 4th of July parade from Jeremy to Main Street, I encountered several “pocket rocket” e-bikes, with young kids riding at least 30 MPH on the trails. Will a law like this impact that rider?

Oh, and I was nursing a low battery on the way back so I slowed to the pace of traditional road bikes. Many of those go over 15 MPH. Will this law change the behavior of e-bike or road bike riders?

Probably not, unless it’s enforced. And how will it be enforced? It won’t be. It can’t be. I don’t envision the Summit County Sheriff’s Department radaring bicycles on our trails unless it’s once for effect.

Where does that leave us? The assholes will be assholes and the rest of us will be agro. Safety will not improve. It will just lead to more anger and divisiveness.

This is something that sounds good but I challenge you to envision how it works out on our lovely trail system.

The answer is not well. I hope the County Council doesn’t go down this path.