eBike legislation clears first hurdle in Pennsylvania General Assembly

This guest blog post was submitted by Adam Rossi of Adam Solar Rides in Bridgeville, Pa., just outside of Pittsburgh. Rossi is also involved with Adam Solar Resources, and is active with the Solar Unified Network of Western Pennsylvania (SUNWPA).

Everyone who rides an electric bike for the first time smiles, or at least everyone that I’ve ever seen try one. Some are huge ear to ear grins and out loud laughter, but always at least a smile.

Electric bicycles, or eBikes as I prefer to call them (aka pedal assist, electric assist, low-speed electric, or pedelec bikes), were invented in the late 1800s. It is only over the last few years that the technology has finally and eloquently caught up with the concept and vision. The sensation from a quality electric bike at the level and style of assist you choose is an amazing experience.

Adam Solar Rides Headquarters in Bridgeville, PA

Lithium ion batteries, often seamlessly integrated into the frame or seat post of an eBike, can store several hundred or even thousands of watt hours of energy. My current eBike has a 36 volt 10 amp hour battery, the energy equivalent of less than 1/100th of a gallon of gasoline and yet, it will power me for over 20 miles, maybe even over 40 miles between charges, depending on how hard or easy I pedal, with zero emissions, and last for over 20,000 miles of use. The stored battery power is blended with the normal human pedaling power through a hub or mid-drive motor using sensors that see wheel speed, cadence, and torque. It feels like a natural extension of your human power.

Try to imagine having +50 percent or even all the way to up to +300 percent of you. Superhero strength is another good analogy. That stubborn hill by your house that kept you from riding will feel like pedaling on flat ground. And you don’t have to sweat; you can wear your best clothes. You’ll instantly remember how much fun riding a bike is if it’s been awhile since your last time out.

Still, it's a fine line as to when an electric bicycle is no longer an electric bicycle; it can become something more with too much power and weight such as an electric motorcycle, an electric scooter, or an electric moped. That is why the Federal Government has guidelines and passed the federal

public law "107-319”. It defines an electric bicycle to be the same as a bicycle, as long as it has a motor rated at less than 750watts (1HP), has a top motor speed of less than 20 miles per hour, and has functional pedals.

The current bills in the Pennsylvania House (House Bill 213 sponsored by Rep. Seth Grove, R-York) and Pennsylvania Senate (SB997 by Sen. Matt Smith, D-Allegheny) mirror these requirements, and go a step farther in the interest of safety to also state that no one under 16 years old may operate an eBike, and that the “pedal cycle with electric assist” must weigh under 100 pounds. These bills will help to integrate eBikes into our culture by keeping them “bicycles,” as they should be, and not something bigger, heavier, or faster.

Last week brought great news as SB 997 was unanimously approved by the Senate Transportation Committee chaired by Senator John Rafferty, R-Montgomery.

No matter what is proposed and passed, all eBike riders should always be courteous and use good etiquette while riding anywhere.

Out of the billions of people who ride bikes everyday, there are millions of people, probably hundreds of millions, who already ride eBikes. This important clarifying legislation is needed for Pennsylvania, and fast, as the popularity and technology of eBikes only continues to grow. Please contact your state  representative and state senator today and ask them to support these bills.

Year of the Horse? Nah, 2014 is going to be the year of the eBike!