To the Editor:
Though I’m not a voting Princeton resident, I represent one of the many repeat visitors to your town that enrich its establishments and culture — via a Class 1 e-bike.
I live north of Princeton in South Brunswick and I’m lucky enough to have access to the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park path from my home. I grew up in Pennington and spent summers working at the PU store. I was working the day Bob Dylan and Coretta Scott King were honored at graduation. I’ve been Princeton adjacent for a long time.
I’m in my mid-70s now and find that my pedal assist Class 1 e-bike has broadened the scope and enjoyment of biking and life. Though I’ve stayed fit, my aging knees kept me from journeying far from home. The e-bike has been a game changer. I routinely bike to downtown Princeton, the Princeton Shopping Center, and the University campus. Retirement has been very educational and rewarding because of the fitness and balance that biking gives me and the entertainment, education, and socialization the town of Princeton offers. Win-win.
I have had scary encounters with Class II bikes on the canal and road — that are often ridden by inexperienced riders unable to handle the weight and speed they deliver. I was freaked out a couple of days ago by a young man speeding toward me about 30 mph on 5-foot-wide path with no helmet, no bell or horn, or the courtesy to alert me that his silent 200 lb. vehicle was hurtling toward me. I also see many riders using them as commuter/work vehicles and think they choose them because they have no road rules or licensing requirements. This must change.
When faced with innovative, exciting things, rash people will push the limits till there is a tragedy. Then, law often does a kneejerk over-reaction to show they care without doing the groundwork they should have been doing all along.
In following the new state rules I have obtained a liability insurance policy ($160 / year), and went to get my “vehicle” registered at my local DMV (they had no idea what to do and told to come back in July).
I think the 20 mph max Class I pedal assist rule should inform a lot of the necessary legislation when it comes to governing and limiting e-bike access. My Class 1 e-bike has expanded the breath of my life experiences; I would dearly miss the world it offers me.