Metro Update

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This morning Metro Council voted to create a BPAC by a unanimous vote on third reading. It didn’t involve the theatrics of the previous meeting but there was still a little drama which was totally unnecessary. Once again, it was created by the greenways group. Assuming the current Mayor signs the bill it will be law for the next Mayor to appoint members and implement.  I think that the role of greenways in the transportation system needs a total rethink. I hope  the next Mayor and council will agree but I’ve got some ideas of my own.   Carey

Metro Council voted unanimously to create a BPAC

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Last night, Metro Councilvoted unanimously to create a Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission. The bill must pass on third reading at the next council meeting and be signed by the Mayor.  Several unfriendly amendments were offered but after some parliamentary maneuvers were defeated by a  resounding 28-7 vote. That speaks volumes about this effort.  The sponsor, Freddie O’Connell, did an outstanding job presenting the bill and making the argument for reestablishing a BPAC.

Sean Parker, Bob Mendes, Emily Benedict and Colby Sledge were eloquent while speaking against the amendment and for the bill. Sean really led the charge against the hostile amendments. Angie Henderson and Zach Young were a great help in the effort. Other co-sponsors were Tonya Hancock, Ginny Welsch, Erin Evans, Burkley Allen and Delisha Porterfield. Thank them all if you get the chance.

A shout out to Wesley Smith and Meredith Montgomery of Walk Bike Nashville for all their help. A special thanks to David Kleinfelter, a founder and former President of WBN who kept me from doing too many stupid things. Peter Robison and Katherine McDonnell of the Vision Zero Committee were also very supportive.

Thanks to Lindsey Ganson who fought the good fight when the greenways mafia tried to remove e-bikes from greenways. That’s when I started thinking about doing this.

Carey

Council meeting on BL2023-1882 https://youtu.be/JnoaVcKY4mU?t=4912

Thursday Ride 7/13/23 From Station Camp High School

We will ride from Station Camp High School Thursday at 5:30PM weather permitting.

Check back at 4:00PM for ride update.

27 Plantation Pass Thru

Woody

Take Action for Electric Bicycle Access in the National Park System

You can make it easier to ride an electric bicycle in our National Parks! The National Park Service (NPS) is accepting comments through July 21  on a proposal to give NPS park superintendents greater authority to allow the use of e-bikes wherever traditional bicycles are currently allowed.    PeopleForBikes supports this proposal and encourages you to do the same by using our suggested comment language. Click the button below to take action in support of the proposal today. SUPPORT E-BIKES IN OUR NATIONAL PARKS Expanding access for electric bicycles allows more people to enjoy our National Parks by bike, reducing congestion from cars and getting more people into the outdoors. Your voice matters — act now to improve e-bike access in our National Parks!   Together, we can make biking better for everyone.    — The PeopleForBikes team

Chain Checker

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For the last 4500 miles, I have been checking my VADO SL chain. I have not needed to replace it. I have used the 0.5% recommen- dation setting from Park Tool.

A worn bicycle chain can cause poor shifting and in time can even cause excessive wear to the derailleur and rear cogs, causing a much more expensive problem. That's why bike component manufacturers recommend chain replacement at regular wear intervals. 

The Park Tool CC-3.2 is a go/no-go gauge designed to accurately indicate when a chain reaches 0.5% and 0.75% wear (or "stretch"), the points at which most chain manufacturers suggest replacement. The CC-3.2 is long, accurate, and features permanent measurement markings. 

The CC-3.2 works on most derailleur chains* from 5 to 12-speed. 

- 5-to-10-speed chains: replace chain at or just before 0.75%

- 11-to-12-speed chains*: replace at or just before 0.5%

Check with manufacturer for specific replacement instructions

*Use the CC-4 for SRAM® Flattop™ and SRAM® T-Type 12-speed chains.

Specialized RECALLED Some eBike Chargers

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According to BARD (6/27/23), Specialized has acknowledged these problems for some of its ebike chargers and has issued a recall.

Specialized has had a few problems with its ebike charger, including:

• Charging problems: Some users have reported that their ebike chargers do not charge the battery properly, or that they take a long time to charge the battery.

• Faulty chargers: Some users have received faulty chargers that do not work at all.

• Y cable problems: The Y cable that is used to connect the charger to the battery and the range extender has also been known to cause problems.

Here is the input from ChatGPT and BARD about eBike electrical problems

When eBikes Fail - FIXED

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My VADO is back from Biker's Choice. The charger failed, not the batteries. They replaced my defective charger for FREE as a warranty item.

With all the Li-Ion fire failures, everyone should stay with a QUALITY product and not a cheapie substitute. I asked, "How often do these chargers fail?" 

David Hardin said that he had two failures with the forty that he have sold. 

Rails to Trails on an eBike

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The Spring/Summer 2023 issue of the Rails to Trails magazine included Exploring the Evolution of E-Bikes in America.  It discussed all the usual features and popularity on an e-bike. The last section was titled But Is It Cheating? That is always the common exclamation from the purist bicyclist, and maybe the most ignorant advocates.

Claire Martini, the project manager for the Leafline Trails Coalition of Washington State, said "Are multiple gears cheating? Is a lightweight carbon-fiber frame cheating? Suspension?"

The magazine author adds,"The trip that someone takes on an e-bike still burns more calories than the bike trip they chose not to take at all." 

According to a Rails to Trails study, 

338% increase in average daily distances biked by individuals on an e-bike vs. a regular bike. 

Researchers have found that e-bikes receive much of the cardiovascular health benefits obtained during conventional bikes, more than double their use of bicycles for transportation, and take longer trips on their e-bikes have also found that e-cycling can improve mental and physical health, happiness, and overall sense of well-being.

 https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2023/may/04/exploring-americas-e-bike-evolution/

When eBikes Fail

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I had been riding my Specialized VADO SL almost every day this week. I have gotten lazy and used the battery. On each ride it would discharge from 150% (with the Axillary battery) to about 100%. I would charge it overnight. This morning it discharged. Instead of back to 150%, it was down to 18% and continuing to decline with no warning.

The bike had about 4600 miles with no problems. I do most of the mechanical repairs myself, but I don't have the equipment to test the electrical system. I have taken it back to Biker's Choice at 10:30 on 06/23/23. The bike is two years old and has never been back to the shop. I don't know what to expect. 

I like to take the bike on 700 mile tours. Why such a failure without warning that could be worrisome. 

DON'T BUY CHEAP

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Twisted mountains of charred bikes, scooters, wheels, and battery casings. The distinctive, acidic smell of burnt chemicals. And where delivery workers once stood in line chatting while waiting for repairs, now blackened ruins and a somber crowd of neighbors behind police tape. This was the scene – one that’s become horrifyingly common – after yet another deadly lithium battery fire in New York City. Four people died in the inferno – the latest victims of a growing problem that’s now claimed the lives of 13 people this year in the nation’s densest city, compared with six such deaths in all of 2022.

The fires are caused by the cheap, dangerous electric batteries powering the two-wheeled devices that the city’s 65,000 delivery workers use to meet the demands of Silicon Valley gig platforms. 

New Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Filed

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BPAC sponsored by Council Member Freddie O’Connell.  BL2023-1882 passed first reading, second reading scheduled for June 20.

Five council members as co-sponsors and  others have agreed to sign. 

https://www.nashville.gov/departments/council

At one time, NDOT management opposed the bill but I do not know their current stance. The Vision Zero Committee is supportive and they were appointed by NDOT.

Carey Rogers
nashville-ebike@googlegroups.com

Other Stuff by Carey

Bike Lane Ribbon Cutting

Free e-bike rides after you listen to politicians pontificate about how they love bike lanes but have done little to bring them about (with some exceptions).  Carey Rogers New complete/ green street —12th Ave South. What started as a rendering in spring 2022 is now a reality. We are thrilled to celebrate and cut the ribbon and hope you can join us! WHERE: Lawn next to the Edgehill Library (1409 12th Ave South) WHEN: Friday, April 28 at 10 a.m. T.D. Schlafer | Policy & Public Information Specialist

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