JACKSON, Wyo. — With more kids, teenagers and adults getting around town on e-bikes, Friends of Pathways (FOP) is working to address the challenges the community faces with the rise in e-bike use.
FOP Bike Safety Education Coordinator Aaron Nydam told Buckrail that e-bikes have become a standard part of life for many families in Jackson.
“Over the years, the number of pathway users is increasing, and we believe a big part of this growth of e-bikes,” Nydam said. “On a given day in September, there are close to a hundred e-bikes on the lawn at Jackson hole middle school.”
In 2018, the Town of Jackson supported class 1, 2, and 3 pedaled e-bikes. Class 1 can reach a speed of 20 mph and are pedal-assist only. Class 2 also has a maximum speed of 20 mph and includes pedal assist and a throttle. Class 3 e-bikes can reach a speed of 28 and are pedal assist only. Laws for using e-bikes in Wyoming vary by location, but typically they are similar to those for regular bicycles, according to PeopleForBikes. Currently, Jackson’s Pathways Task Force is recommending that elected officials reevaluate current ordinances.
Nydam said that long-time pathways users have consistently shared with him that they feel unsafe with the high volume of class 2, throttle enabled e-bikes on “infrastructure that wasn’t necessarily designed with e-bikes in mind.”
“With this new technology, we are always playing catch up,” Nydam said. “Redesigning infrastructure and establishing appropriate regulations while navigating the different perspectives is slow and tedious. In the meantime, our community has the opportunity to prioritize safety and value the experiences of others.”
FOP works to educate residents on e-bike safety and the proper etiquette when riding on the pathways and roads. Nydam stressed that most challenges arise from a lack of awareness and consideration of other people’s experience, especially on multi-use areas. He said that an increase in communication, sound (e.g., ring a bell) and visibility is key for avoiding accidents.
“When we are all aware of each other, we usually make good decisions,” Nydam said.
FOP collects bike accident data from local responders and care providers. For example, St. John’s Health estimated that there were 18 bike related accidents reported by caregivers during the month of July, 2023. This number under-represents the actual number given there is no requirement to report cause of injury, according to FOP.
It is required for all those 18 and under to wear a helmet when riding an e-bike in the Town of Jackson, but there are still some kids who opt out of wearing one.
“I am still confused and a little amused watching kids ride by with helmets hanging loose on their bikes,” Nydam said. “When will it be cool to wear a helmet? Overall, I see this as a cultural shift similar to skiing with helmets.”
FOP offers several e-bike educational initiatives within the schools. Every spring, FOP facilitates a Bike Safety Week at the Jackson Hole Middle School (JHMS) with assembly presentations and skill-building sessions for all sixth graders. Stations include bike maintenance, pathway etiquette and e-bike control. This past summer, FOP worked with the Teton County School Districts’s Newcomers Program, which included about 30 elementary students new to the community. The program taught pathway etiquette, bike skills and how to wear a helmet. On Tuesday, Sept. 24, FOP will conduct a Back to School Bike Safety Check at JHMS to support the proper maintenance and safe operation of student bikes, each receiving a report card afterward.
Nydam advises parents to become engaged by going out to practice e-bike riding with their kids, even before purchasing one.
“Do some test driving so that you know what you want,” Nydam said. “Not all e-bikes are created the same. Simply, buying an affordable one online and sending your kid off down the road isn’t appropriate within a community. Then, once you have the bike, practice in a safe location away from traffic until you feel 100% comfortable and know the laws and pathway etiquette.”
Nydam stresses that e-bikes are still a positive mode of transportation in that they reduce traffic and promote exercise.
“E-bikes can bring some joy to life,” Nydam said. “I can’t help but smile when I feel that acceleration when I push on the pedals. However, like any freedom, it comes with responsibility and choices.”
In an effort to respond to the community’s e-bike concerns, FOP has created an online Pathways Incident Report form that residents can use to share any incidents that occurred on the pathways.
