How do you feel now that there are less food couriers on the roads?
The non-throttle electric bikes have been an interesting debate point in many of our committee meetings.
We firmly believe as a Campaign that all cyclists should have the opportunity to cycle safely and should behave responsibly. We’re also cognisant that the working conditions many of those young men found themselves in meant they had to choose between their, and potentially others’, safety and being able to earn any money.
We’re not going to comment on the kids, who, having had most other sources of entertainment defunded, have been using these e-bikes to do tricks.
In recent weeks it has been noticeable that many of those riders have abandoned their bikes in favour of a moped. The number of mopeds with ‘L’s on is now a regular sight at bike racks in town, and on the road.
And visually there’s far less cyclists out there. It’s not surprising: mopeds are bigger and can go faster, so they can get more jobs done in the same space of time.
And no doubt people who feared the perception of these cyclists tarring us all will be delighted.
The positives are there’s less people on the Kennet cycling, which is a plus for anyone walking along there. But some of the more active cyclists on the committee have noticed there’s now more motorised vehicles on the road.
I had a close pass in a bus lane which stimulated me to write this article, and it was more intimidating than if it came from another cyclist. Mopeds, like cars, put out toxic fumes and a collision with a moped would be worse than with an e-bike*.
What do you think? Will the loss of numbers take us away from this critical mass of cyclists? Will that positively or negatively impact the Council’s desire to support active travel? Is the move back to motor vehicles a good or bad thing?
*We note of course that there has been less than one recorded death by a non-throttled e-bike in comparison to the 463 pedestrian and civilian deaths caused by cars in the last reporting period, so there is no reason to think that these learner moped drivers will crash.
Kat Heath
RCC Events Coordinator
