Looking Beyond the Type of Bike

When I assigned MoIly Hurford her feature, ‘Who Belongs in the Bike Lane?’ I was looking for a villain. The villain is a two-wheeled vehicle that’s different from anything we cover at Canadian Cycling Magazine. Sure it has pedals, but you don’t have to use them to move. There’s a battery and throttle that takes you to ridiculous speeds. I sent Molly to find this villain and to banish them from the bike lane. But she didn’t. It turns out, the villain may not actually exist.

I’m not saying that style of ebike doesn’t exist. No, I’ve seen them all over Toronto. Some of them have sketchy batteries that I wouldn’t bring into my home. Molly’s story, however, made me rethink my idea that these demon vehicles have no place in the bike lane. Let’s look at other vehicles. An analog pedal bike—that definitely belongs in the bike lane. Easy. A Harley-Davidson? Nope. Also easy. A pedal-assist cargo bike with maximum assist of 32 km/h? That’s an easy yes from me. A bike with a throttle? Well, at first that seems like a simple no. But it’s actually tricky, once we bring the rider back into the mix.

Now, let’s consider the types of riders on these vehicles. What if it’s a senior using a throttle bike for the improvement in mobility? I think we’re all cool with that. What about a food delivery courier? Where do they fit in? If they and their throttle bike are not allowed, the discussion is not about what tech we allow in the bike lane if we say the senior with the throttle’s OK, but the delivery person isn’t. The counterpoint I might anticipate is “but the senior will ride leisurely, while the delivery person will be aggressive.” That’s trading in generalizations, or worse, stereotypes. Yes, a courier has to hustle. I’ve seen such a person make a greasy pass in the bike lane. But, I’ve also seen ridiculous decisions by my analog colleagues.

“Ultimately, if we, as cyclists, become overly focused on what technology is in the bike lane, then we’re a bunch of suckers for chasing after the wrong villains.”

Do you want to get more specific about that throttle bike? Fine. Limit the speed to 32 km/h? OK. But I know plenty of battery-less riders who can go faster than that in the bike lane.

I think you see where I’m going with this. I’m steering you in the same direction that Molly’s story took me. Her article has some important insights and I’ve only given you a glimpse at them here. Ultimately, if we, as cyclists, become overly focused on what technology is in the bike lane, then we’re a bunch of suckers for chasing after the wrong villains. (For the record, those are all my words, not Molly’s.) Find about what the bigger picture truly is.

Matthew Pioro
Editor

On the Cover

Charlotte Batty of Minii Adventures rides the trails of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. She’s experienced the flow of the Farmer Lake loop and Berm Baby Berm Trail in the Hiawatha Highlands network. She’s also participated in the women’s MTB ride—called Titty Tuesday—put on by Vélorution Bike & Ski. For more on the trails in Sault Ste. Marie.
Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn