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Electric Bicycles, otherwise known as e-bikes, are more popular than ever. Due to their rising popularity, the City of Richardson is taking steps to properly plan for riders looking to get the most out of their e-bike. In addition to planning for electric bikes, the city is providing the below resources for residents who are curious or have questions about electric bikes. 

Classes of Electric Bikes

Class 1: The motor provides assistance only when you pedal, and stops helping out when the e-bike reaches 20 mph

Class 2: Includes the pedal-assist mode up to 20 mph, but also provides a throttle-powered mode which provides power without pedaling 

Class 3: Solely pedal-assist, but the pedal assist stops when the e-bike reaches 28 mph.

Safety Tips

Check your speed

When starting with your electric bike avoid starting with the fastest assist setting right out of the gate. Due to the weight of the motor, the bike will feel and handle differently than regular bicycles. Getting used to the feeling of the e-bike at lower speeds will help you control it better at higher speeds. 

Brake Early

With the speed and power of an electric bike, the braking will be different than using a normal bicycle. Make sure to practice with your brakes, so you know when to brake to stop properly before stops signs and crossings.

Don't carry passengers if your E-Bike isn't designed for it

Make sure not to ride double when your bike is specifically designed for a single rider. It changes how your bike handles and could lead to accidents. 

Understand how to turn on and off your e-bike motor

Understanding the actions which will turn your electric bike's motor on and off will make sure it does not accidently turn on. Generally, the electric motor on a pedal assist E-Bike can turn on when the electric bike is powered on or turning the pedals. Some models it might be able to turn on the electric motor by pressing a throttle lever or button. Accidently turning on the motor while not expecting it could be dangerous leading to injuries and/or accidents. Keeping the electric bike motor off while you are not using it can help stop these accidents from happening. 

Rules and Regulations

State

551.107

A person may not operate an electric bicycle unless the electric motor disengages or ceases to function either: when the operator stops pedaling or when the brakes are applied.

A person may not operate a Class 3 electric bicycle unless the person is at least 15 years of age. 

551.202

A person may operate an electric personal assistive mobility device on a residential street, roadway, or public highway with a speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less only: while making a direct crossing of a highway in a marked or unmarked crosswalk; where no sidewalk is available; or when so directed by a traffic control device or by a law enforcement officer. 

A person may operate an electric personal assistive mobility device on a path set aside for the exclusive operation of bicycles.

Any person operating an electric personal assistive mobility device on a residential street, roadway, or public highway shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand edge.

Except as otherwise provided by this section, provisions of this title applicable to the operation of bicycles apply to the operation of electric personal assistive mobility devices.