Dave Rodgers

Lock Haven

Hopefully the title caught your attention to read this letter. I present my thoughts on this spring season and the many bicycles on the road, and an introduction to the E Bike. All throughout my life I have enjoyed bicycling. I was never a hard-core biker, just the leisurely type, out enjoying the open road or trails, however as my years grew older it became more and more difficult to traverse the hills of Pennsylvania.

Enter…The E Bike. Several springs ago I was out for my first spring ride on the lovely Pine Creek Trail and decided to take an E Bike for a spin. I can tell you I was immediately hooked. The Bike gave me the freedom to travel almost anywhere in our region and expanded my rides easily out to twenty or thirty miles if desired. I peddle the entire time with the bike offering adjustable assistance dependent on the topography of the ride. The E Bike makes PA as flat as Kansas. I have introduced the bike to several friends, and they too have found the bike to offer the same enjoyment. My interest is not to sell any one type of bike on the market (there are many) rather possible introduce this marvel to others that would like to introduce or extend their riding later in life. Visit your local Bike Shop and they will be happy to introduce you to this world.

Enter…road safety.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to 95 percent of the drivers of vehicles that I encounter on my new journeys. Most folks give me plenty of room while passing or interacting with me. There is a small contingent of drivers that make me nervous during our encounter, and for the sake of hoping that they truly do not wish to bring me harm, I pass along several of the Pennsylvania Bicycle Laws.

— Motor vehicles must allow 4 feet of distance when overtaking a bicycle and travel at a careful and prudent speed. It is the motorist’s responsibility to provide this Motor vehicles may also overtake a bicycle in a no-passing zone to avoid excessive delays, but this must be done with due care and while providing the required 4 feet of clearance.

— A driver may cross a double yellow line to pass a bicycle.

— You are not permitted to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk in a business district (except where permitted by official traffic control devices) or where there is a bicycle-only lane available.

— Pedestrians have the right-of-way on sidewalks and bicycle paths. You must give an audible signal as you approach and pass a pedestrian.

All of the PA bicycle laws can be found with a quick internet search for PA Bike Laws.

Enter…the E Bike Motorcycle.

I use a play on words because there is no E Bike Motorcycle, there are electric motorcycles, but that is not where I am going. I am addressing the mostly young riders and their parents to what I see as a problem. I/ We have all seen the young folks riding an E Bike, not peddling at all, possibly with someone riding on the back cargo rack, going the wrong way in traffic, riding on sidewalks, weaving in and out of traffic, all with no helmet, no insurance on a machine that can go twenty miles per hour. I was a teen once also, and did many stupid things that luckily, I lived thru, however I was taught bicycle laws and etiquette before I was allowed on the road. I do not wish to see any person injured physically or emotionally due to an accident, because accidents do happen. Please be safe and obey traffic laws and prudent riding habits.

In closing, our region offers many bike trails that offer safe, easily peddled paths with beautiful scenery. The Bald Eagle Valley Trail starting at the Castanea Train Station, or in Mcelhattan offers easily accessible nice rides. If you’re up for a more miles, the Pine Creek Rails to Trails offers many short or long excursions. I promise you will meet lots of nice folks and some great dogs as well. In addition, with a bike rack on your vehicle, there are many trails in the region that can be accessed with a small day trip.

I hope that others can find the enjoyment that E Biking has brought me.

See you on the trails.