A pro e-bike letter to the editor July 19 displayed the headline "E-bikes are not motorized vehicles." It took a few minutes for my head to stop spinning around after reading that logic-free statement! Let's fact-check that flat-earth statement by consulting Dictionary.com: "An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy by means of the forces exerted on a current-carrying coil placed in a magnetic field." Simply put, whether it is gas-powered or electric-powered, a bike powered by either means is a motorized vehicle.

It's important to note that not all e-bikes are created equal: Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are limited to 20 mph, but the heavier Class 3 e-bikes can easily reach 28 mph (and by disabling speed-limiter settings, they can go much faster). Are we to rely on Class 3 e-bikers obeying the trail-courtesy honor system to stay below 20 mph on pedestrian and people-powered local and state bicycle trails? As one who has been repeatedly overtaken suddenly and without verbal warning from behind by silent-but-deadly, stealth Class 3 e-bikes, I can tell you that all too many Class 3 e-bike riders are a public-safety menace to pedestrians and human-powered bikers on our local trails!

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The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.