"Get a faster bike mate" - why I feel safer on an electric bike
by Michael Tritt
I normally
ride my 20km round trip commute on an electric bike, but recently switched back
to my old push bike while the e-bike is getting some maintenance.
As I was
slogging and perspiring my way up a hill this week, I felt the presence of a ute (translation
for international readers: “pickup truck”) behind me. I must have held the driver up for all of ten
seconds, so switched into the right-hand lane to allow him past.
The act of magnanimity
was clearly lost on him, as he bellowed out the window “get a faster bike mate”. It
occurred to me that I’ve never heard that phrase whilst riding my electric bike
– because, unsurprisingly, it is a “faster bike”.
Instead of a
slow slog up the hill, I’m cruising up at 25kph. Instead of holding impatient drivers up for
ten seconds, it’s only five seconds.
That is probably the difference between being bellowed at and not.
The difference
between twenty seconds and ten seconds might be the driver attempting a stupid
and dangerous overtaking manoeuvre. None
of this is excusable on the driver’s part, but this type of Neanderthal behaviour
is all too common.
The
fundamental reason I feel safer on an electric bike is the speed difference between
my bike and the other vehicles we try and share the road with.
If you have to switch lanes with traffic going 40kph, it sure helps if you are able to travel at something close to that speed.
If you have
to take off from a standing start at a traffic light, getting out quickly and
visibly in front of the cars is hugely preferable over the jostling for position
that otherwise occurs.
Don’t even
get me started on roundabouts – when it’s “your turn” to enter the roundabout, the
window of opportunity to execute can be small, even when you’re in a car. On an
electric bike that improved take-off speed makes all the difference.
Of course,
the fundamental issue is that bicycles are forced to share road space with much
heavier and faster vehicles. The answer is simple – separate the traffic: lane(s)
for vehicles going up to 50kph, a lane for bikes (and scooters) doing 20 – 35kph,
and a footpath for everyone else.
Regrettably
on my route (Dominion Road in Auckland) there are almost no cycle lanes. Politicians had the opportunity to fix it a
few years ago but they lacked the courage, instead designating a circuitous alternative
cycle route that barely anybody uses.
The cities
that have had the vision to put in cycle lanes – from Seville to Copenhagen to
Vancouver – are seeing the results: people switching en-masse from driving to cheaper,
more enjoyable and healthier cycling.
But it
requires forward thinking, investing now to realise benefits years into the future. We can only hope our decision makers will
think further ahead than the ten second time horizon of the ute driver.
“Get a faster bike mate?”. I will be doing just that, but meanwhile how about joining me in supporting more cycle lanes. Then we can all get where we are going, both quickly and safely.