Learning and lobbying in Sacramento

Every two years CalBike, the statewide organization that fights for cyclists’ safety, hosts a summit. This year it returned to Sacramento. In doing so it provided both an educational opportunity at the summit and outreach opportunity to state legislators. Because bicycling and e-bike cases are a significant subset of our cases at Coopers, we sent Miles up to Sacramento to get his wonk on. And the summit can get wonky indeed. It is one of the best places to learn about changes to roadway design standards. As more and more people turn to e-bikes and other powered devices like scooters for transport, road designers are making adjustments. Knowing about the changes helps us assess potential roadway design cases.

Miles shows us that sometimes the wheels of justice have inflatable tires.

It is also a great place to hear about the mobility challenges we are facing. While legal e-bikes are wonderful tools for commuters, parents, and those looking to reduce their car use (and carbon footprint), the market has been flooded with illegal e-motos that are dangerous to riders and pedestrians. What’s an e-moto? Anything that goes beyond the Class 3 e-bike standard of being pedal-assisted and limited to 28 miles per hour. The kids popping wheelies at 40 miles an hour are actually riding illegal e-motos. And most parents don’t really know the difference.

That led to our efforts at the capital to educate legislators. Because of the rash of illegal e-motos there are a lot of well-meaning legislators looking for regulatory solutions. Many of the ones initially proposed punished legal e-bike riders without moving the needle on safety. Fortunately, through the efforts at the summit’s Lobby Day, CalBike’s organizational leadership, and the efforts of vocal e-bike riders, the negative bills did not proceed.

Being learners and being granular in an issue is just one way we make sure we give our best to our clients and our community. Thanks CalBike for putting on such a wonderful session!