E-Bike Love
By Ashley Rose
It’s noon on Monday when I meet Erica near the Luxo Lamp on Pixar’s campus. She’s brought her Gazelle e-bike, knowing that I want to take photos for the story. Before I get set up, she insists on putting on her helmet and fluorescent safety vest to show everyone what she really looks like when she’s riding to work.
Erica lives in Richmond and rides the Bay Trail and bicycle boulevards to and from her job at Pixar three to four times a week. After hearing rumors that some people want to ban electric bikes on the Bay Trail because of speed concerns, Erica reached out to Bike East Bay to share her story.
E-bikes, or electric bicycles, are bicycles with pedal assistance powered by rechargeable batteries. While bicyclists can reach any speed they’re physically capable of pedaling to, e-bikes stop providing assistance at 20 or 28 mph. In California, e-bikes capable of reaching 28 mph are allowed in bike lanes and, unless prohibited by local laws, low-power 20 mph e-bikes are allowed in bike lanes and on bike paths.
Erica started biking to work three years ago after seeing the impact cars have on the environment at a film festival. At first, Erica did the 9-mile commute by non-electric bike. Arriving at work exhausted and sweaty, Erica decided it wasn’t the solution. “I’m not that athletic and to have that challenge twice a day; I just couldn’t do it,” said Erica. She considered riding the bus, but didn’t want to add another hour to her 40-minute commute. Then she discovered e-bikes. “I swear the first time you get on the bike as an adult and start biking, you get back into the child-like feeling of freedom,” said Erica.
As a documentary film maker, Erica has discovered that her morning commute is an important part of her creative process. “It allows stories you’re working on to unwind,” said Erica, “so I’m always stopping and taking notes on my bike ride.”
Biking has improved Erica’s health and her morning commute overall. “You see people and you say hi. You ride by a homeless community and you see people waking up and you have compassion,” said Erica, “and you see animals, which is such a joy.”
Erica worries that her life would change dramatically if e-bikes were banned on the Bay Trail. “The Bay Trail is the most direct route and I don’t think I could get on a regular bike and do the whole commute,” said Erica, “I work really long days from 8am to sometimes 9pm and biking is my exercise time, my chill time, and a good part of life.”
Some residents in Richmond’s marina want to ban e-bikes on their stretch of the Bay Trail. If applied citywide, an e-bike ordinance would force bicyclists to ride next to traffic in areas that are less secure. Bike East Bay met with Bay Trail representatives and the City of Richmond, and worked out an agreement that speed limits will be set and more educational materials distributed to explain responsible path usage.
For now, Erica is thrilled to continue commuting her favorite way — with the wind in her hair and her seat in the saddle.
Next article from Fall 2018 RideOn: Board Member Profile Mimi Torres
