Hmmm. No mention of EBikes.

I think there should be more discussion on the safety of EBikes as well as Escooters, Eskateboards and any other invention that comes along. These Ebikes are much too fast when mixing with other pedal bikes and need to overtake them, and even worse when ridden by teens too young to have a drivers license. When Ebike riders don't know the rules of the road they are a danger to every road user.

What is the legal age for operating a ebike (looks like a cross between a mo-ped and dirtcycle). I often see youngsters zipping dangerously fast through city streets on them. Maybe 12,13,14 years of age. One teen kid was zigzagging (for the fun of it) down a street with many cars behind . Can someone w knowledge of road safety and these ebike explain??

Bike Palo Alto is for everyone at every skill level, not just new bicyclists. It's primary purpose is to help people discover little known quieter, calmer routes around town, including off-road paths and trails, bike bridges. It is fun to experience this discovery with a community ride--along with many other people on bicycles. The routes take people to fun destinations, including parks, open space, treat shops, a visit to the home of the donkey who was the model for Donkey in Shrek and his real life donkey friends, for example. This is fun for any one who likes to ride a bike. Like me! I'm a senior who still loves to ride around our beautiful town for exercise and to connect with my community. Bike Palo Alto! It's great!

There are different classifications of e-bikes. The rules vary by class. A rider must be at least 16 years of age to ride a Class 3 e-bike.

Parents, e-bikes (even the lower power pedal assist e-bikes) can be very fast. It is important, with any kind of bike, to practice ride with your son or daughter to make sure they understand how to share the road legally and safely. Make sure they understand their responsibility on the road. All bikes and e-bikes are vehicles under the law. Make sure they know vehicle code (which also will help later when they learn to drive). This will help them keep safe. Also, it protects you, as you may be liable, as the legally responsible adult, for any harm they might do to others if they behave recklessly. All parents should have serious conversations about this with their bicycling and e-biking children. Teaching our kids to be law abiding citizens is key task of parenting.

Kids need exercise and they outgrow bikes. I see no reason to buy an expensive e-bike for their growing child. They are expensive. Our community is flat, very easy to ride. I am over 60 and I can ride a foot-powered bike to schlep groceries. There's no reason why an able-bodied young person should need electric assist of any kind for around-town trips. If they need power assist in flat Palo Alto, they probably REALLY need the exercise of pedaling to get more fit.

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