Calif. could open bike paths to e-bikes
By Outside
The California state legislature is currently reviewing a bill that would open trails, paths, and bike lanes to e-bikes, according to Bicycling.com. Bike lanes and paths are generally reserved exclusively for nonmotorized use, but the rising popularity of electric bikes in the United States has led local and state governments to consider allowing bikes with electric motors on bike paths.
Opening paths to e-bikes would help encourage more people to use bikes for transportation, but some local officials worry about the safety issues of allowing e-bikes on nonmotorized paths, particularly throttle-driven models that can propel a bike without a rider pedaling.