Re: Introducing E-Bike Smart: Your Guide to Safe Riding

[Jim Baross]

I completed it. I found it be very well done, easy and intuitive to work through, a good adaption of the ABC Quick Check to include eBike considerations, 5' recommendation for clearing a Door Zone, etc.

Not a replacement for a Cycling Savvy or Smart Cycling course, but not in conflict with either.

It didn't seem to offer a certification of completion. I've asked about this.

On Wed, Aug 30, 2023, 10:45 PM Clint Sandusky <csan...@verizon.net> wrote:

FYI: With industry and advocacy support, E-Bike Smart program established | Bicycle Retailer and Industry News

[Gary Cziko]

Jim,

I haven't looked at it yet, but will.

How would you grade the course on providing each of what I consider the four pillars of defensive bicycle driving:

1. Knowledge of the rules of the road.

2. Knowledge of common crash types, both solo crashes and collisions.

3. Knowledge of why these common crashes occur.

4. Knowledge of countermeasures to avoid these common crashes.

--Gary

[Clinton Sandusky]

Excellent!

[Jim Baross]

I recommend this for eBike introductory info. It is much better presented than the Calif CHP material!

But it didn't seem to have a way for someone to document their completion.

Jim Baross

Board Member, League of American Bicyclists

President, Calif. Assoc. of Bicycling Organizations

Board Member, San Diego County Bicycle Coalition

Sender notified by Mailtrack

08/31/23, 08:21:45 AM

On Thu, Aug 31, 2023 at 7:58 AM Gary Cziko <gcz...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Clinton Sandusky]

JIm - what were you viewing?!

This program did have some positive information, like:

• The videos were concise, recent, and had better content than some of the League's in the past -- like the updated Door Zone information (still needs improvement), not swerving in and out of parked cars, etc.
• I appreciate how the video on Collision Awareness spoke of Right Hooks, Left Crosses (in the video a Left Hook can only occur on one-way streets), and Door Zone Bike Lanes (DZBLs).  They should have included how controlling the lane also helps to prevent other common motorist-caused crashes like Drive-Outs and Sideswipes.

Unfortunately, this program failed to acknowledge and address some of the important strategies for successful, legal, cooperative, and fun e-Bike use, from the basics to beyond:

• They totally screwed up the nationally recognized ABCE Quick Check (battery in "B" for Brakes.  NO!).  Also, a more modern and widely used "thru axle" example should have been shown.
• Mentioned NOTHING about the dangers of "lurching" and how to avoid their effects
• Essentially spoke of nothing involving speed high bicycling.  As we know from CyclingSavvy's first and best e-Bike program Ebike Safety Resources - CyclingSavvy, "with great speed comes great responsibility" (cs) and "the faster you go, the faster you can get in trouble."
• How to avoid the "Danger Zone" of Trucks and Buses
• Controlling the lane by default and releasing traffic when safe, appropriate, and legal -- especially on faster, heavy, and at times less nimble e-Bikes

They truly missed the mark and what a big shame (and waste of money)!  I will probably be contacting all parties involved (PFB, The League, and Bicycle Colorado) to express my personal concerns and suggestions to improve this inadequate program.

Respectfully,

Clint Sandusky

Riverside (CA) Community College District PD (cpl., retired)

CA POST-certified Bike Patrol Instructor (28+ yrs.)

IPMBA e-Bike Task Force member IPMBA - Training, news, and networking for police bicycle patrols.

Cycling in Traffic Expert & Educator

E-Bike Instructor, Presenter, Author & Consultant

CABO, District 8 Rep.

On Thu, Aug 31, 2023 at 7:50 AM Jim Baross <jimb...@cox.net> wrote:

[Jim Baross]

Clint, et al:

I may be mistaken but I don't think the P4B/League offering deserves the criticism you offered. Some responses below.

On Thu, Aug 31, 2023 at 8:25 AM Clinton Sandusky <clint.s...@gmail.com> wrote:

JIm - what were you viewing?!

JB - I am referring to the People for Bikes (sic) and the League's offering released yesterday. Not the CHP material also just released. 

This program did have some positive information, like:

• The videos were concise, recent, and had better content than some of the League's in the past -- like the updated Door Zone information (still needs improvement), not swerving in and out of parked cars, etc.

JB - Notice that that illustration shows a bicyclist moving from no parked cars to a position outside of the Bike Lane and the Door Zone. You may call it swerving or merging. Also the recommendation is to allow 5 feet of clearance, an expansion of previous League recommendations. 

• I appreciate how the video on Collision Awareness spoke of Right Hooks, Left Crosses (in the video a Left Hook can only occur on one-way streets), and Door Zone Bike Lanes (DZBLs).  They should have included how controlling the lane also helps to prevent other common motorist-caused crashes like Drive-Outs and Sideswipes.

JB - I thought there was an adequate reference to common crash types and avoidance, considering limitations of space/time.

Unfortunately, this program failed to acknowledge and address some of the important strategies for successful, legal, cooperative, and fun e-Bike use, from the basics to beyond:

• They totally screwed up the nationally recognized ABCE Quick Check (battery in "B" for Brakes.  NO!).  Also, a more modern and widely used "thru axle" example should have been shown.

JB - They included considerations of eBike items into the existing ABC Quick Check rather than adding an - out of alphabetical order - E. 

• Mentioned NOTHING about the dangers of "lurching" and how to avoid their effects

JB - I won't be likely to go through it again to check, but I seem to recall that lurching was included. Maybe I'm remembering it from the CHP offering? They did an extensive section on battery handling that I hadn't known about.

• Essentially spoke of nothing involving speed high bicycling.  As we know from CyclingSavvy's first and best e-Bike program Ebike Safety Resources - CyclingSavvy, "with great speed comes great responsibility" (cs) and "the faster you go, the faster you can get in trouble."

JB - I think that you didn't notice references to cautions about eBike speeds on trails, at intersections, sidewalks, etc.  

• How to avoid the "Danger Zone" of Trucks and Buses

JB - They warned about being out of sight when you cannot see the mirrors of big vehicles, passing on the left, etc. 

• Controlling the lane by default and releasing traffic when safe, appropriate, and legal -- especially on faster, heavy, and at times less nimble e-Bikes

JB - They didn't use the term "controlling" but did recommend destination positioning within a lane.

 

They truly missed the mark and what a big shame (and waste of money)!  I will probably be contacting all parties involved (PFB, The League, and Bicycle Colorado) to express my personal concerns and suggestions to improve this inadequate program.

JB - I was impressed that the P4B/League/Colorado folks did as good a job of this beyond my/our expectations.

Respectfully,

Clint Sandusky

Riverside (CA) Community College District PD (cpl., retired)

CA POST-certified Bike Patrol Instructor (28+ yrs.)

IPMBA e-Bike Task Force member IPMBA - Training, news, and networking for police bicycle patrols.

Cycling in Traffic Expert & Educator

E-Bike Instructor, Presenter, Author & Consultant

CABO, District 8 Rep.

On Thu, Aug 31, 2023 at 7:50 AM Jim Baross <jimb...@cox.net> wrote:

I completed it. I found it be very well done, easy and intuitive to work through, a good adaption of the ABC Quick Check to include eBike considerations, 5' recommendation for clearing a Door Zone, etc.

Not a replacement for a Cycling Savvy or Smart Cycling course, but not in conflict with either.

It didn't seem to offer a certification of completion. I've asked about this.

On Wed, Aug 30, 2023, 10:45 PM Clint Sandusky <csan...@verizon.net> wrote:

FYI: With industry and advocacy support, E-Bike Smart program established | Bicycle Retailer and Industry News

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[Clinton Sandusky]

Jim - thanks for your unique thoughts and perspectives!  I always respect and consider them closely.

I will consider all thoughts and sides before I more than likely reach out to PFB, The League, and Bicycle Colorado.  Of course, my concerns and suggestions to them will be my own and will not reflect nor represent any organization I am a part of.

Clint

[Jim Baross]

Thanks for being careful. My one-shot experiences of the CHP and P4B/League offerings were not in-depth or complete.

Jim Baross

Board Member, League of American Bicyclists

President, Calif. Assoc. of Bicycling Organizations

Board Member, San Diego County Bicycle Coalition

Sender notified by Mailtrack

08/31/23, 09:13:25 AM

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