This Video Makes Great Points About E-Bike Safety

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I’d love to live in a place with excellent e-bike infrastructure. If my smaller city had dedicated lanes with barriers between me and the cars, I’d ride places almost every time. Separate bike roads would be even better. But alas, it does not. Instead, most places have a narrow “bike lane” with nothing but a stripe of paint to keep my family safe from drivers with their heads up their apps. On some roads, there are only “sharrows” to remind drivers that bikes are allowed — a message that goes almost entirely unnoticed by drivers who aren’t accustomed to bikes. HOOOOOONNNNKKKKKKK!!!!!!

But, after watching this video, I wondered whether I should give it another go at least on some trips.

I do have to keep in mind that this video was shot in Tel Aviv, which is obviously going to be different than the suburbs near El Paso. But, at the same time, it reminded me a lot of riding bikes in Taiwan (something I did for a while in college). Even crowded streets without bike lanes can be useful if you know what you’re doing.

The first tip he gave is one I already use sometimes: avoiding roads that are tough for bikes. In his case, he talks about using bike lanes and little dedicated bike paths, but even in places where there are no such dedicated infrastructure, there are usually side roads and back roads that are a lot safer for bikes. This might make some trips a little convoluted, but it can make the trips a lot safer.

Another important tip is to remain visible. Clothing is part of this, of course, but not all of it. If you hang out in blind spots or put yourself in places where people are more tempted to make an unsafe pass, you can put yourself in a position where someone runs you over. Sure, they probably should have been paying more attention, but that doesn’t fix your injuries or bring you back to life in the worst case. Getting people’s attention with hand signals and eye contact can also go a long way toward safety.

Following traffic laws and being aware of your surroundings is also key. When you follow the rules of the road, you’re predictable to drivers. Zipping through stop signs and traffic lights, weaving in and out of different lanes unpredictably, and such can cause a driver to misjudge and hit you. Being aware of where cars are and what’s happening ahead of you is also important. Wearing earbuds is also a generally bad idea, as your hearing can be an important part of awareness.

Another important element of awareness is looking out for cues. Drivers often show what they’re going to do before they do it. Trying to squeeze over, things drivers might want to avoid, and many other things can be predicted if you pay attention.

Speed is another big factor. In some circumstances (heavy traffic, lane splitting, pedestrian areas, cars that might door you), slowing down is good. But, keeping up with the flow of traffic sometimes means going fast. This makes Class 3 e-bikes a good idea, but it could also be a good idea for governments to start allowing “class 4” e-bikes that keep up with 35-40 MPH traffic better.

Safety equipment can also be important. Helmets are not always required, and many people don’t want to wear them. But, if you carry a brush or comb along, it’s possible to fix your hair up when you get to your destination. Other things like motorcycle gear are nice, but many people can’t realistically do that.

Featured image by Jennifer Sensiba.