Bicyclists do face a number of challenges on the Fairfax County bike trail network but when an e-bike comes flying by at relatively high speeds the danger elevates. In late May, the Fairfax County Police Department was on the scene of a crash involving a vehicle and an e-bike at Cedar Lane and Electric Avenue in Dunn Loring. The adult male cyclist was taken to a local hospital in life-threatening condition.
Fairfax County is aware that the speedy e-bikes are out there and recently posted a set of rules and recommendations titled "E-Bikes Gain Speed — Here’s What to Know Sharing the Road." There are more e-bikes out on the roads and trails these days, so the rules focus on speeds, yielding and sharing the spaces.
In Virginia, there are three classes of e-bike and for Class 3, the pedal assisted e-bike that goes up to 28 miles per hour, the rider must be at least 14 years old and must wear a helmet.
The county says that e‑bikes are generally allowed anywhere traditional bikes are permitted unless signs say otherwise. In most areas, that includes sidewalks.
The Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling recently published a blog post “Safe Trails for All: Responsible E-Bike Use Matters,” that is full of safety recommendations for all. Their focus reports of reckless operation of high-speed e-bikes on local trails and shared-use paths.
Although FABB credits e-bikes for replacing car trips for some riders and enabling a wider range of people to ride that may be limited on a regular bike because of age or physical limitations, they also point out that e-bikes are linked to an increase in injuries too. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeon Brian R. Waterman, MD, “the risk of fractures, dislocations and head trauma increases as e-bike usage becomes more popular. The best protection starts with awareness, proper protection and responsible riding.”
On the trails and streets of Alexandria, e-bikes have a prominent place. Handy Bikes in Alexandria sells e-bikes as well as regular bicycles, but they do have a page on safety that includes a section on e-bike safety. One part focuses on traffic and pedestrians, while the "Take Care With Speed," section reminds riders of the new speeds associated with e-bikes. "Caution is key," it says.
Russell Cestone at Handy Bikes knows the speeds of e-bikes are an issue and when the cyclists aren’t following the rules, it can “give a bad name to e-bikes he said.
In Alexandria, Handy Bikes sees all kinds of riders opting for the e-bike.
