Background

This e-Bike Safety Awareness platform was inspired from my own experiences being an avid cyclist for decades and riding Boulder/Denver multi-use paths regularly. I hated e-Bikes initially and would mumble unkind thoughts to e-Bikers they passed me on bike paths.

Then I had 6 surgeries in 4 years and was unable to ride my road bike. I started renting e-Bikes and fell in love with e-Biking in Colorado. After that, I had 3 instances of class 3 e-cargo bikes going 28+ MPH (without announcing or ringing a bell) that almost hit me on my road bike as they were approaching from behind. Instead of getting upset about these events, I decided to do something about it.

I have a strong business/marking background and have started and sold 2 businesses from scratch.
My e-Bike safety related experience includes the following:

Riding Bike to Work Day in Boulder for 20+ years
Community Cycles – Member, Volunteer, Marketing contractor
Commuting Solutions – Boulder County group promoting eco-friendly ways to commute
Boulder Chamber Transportation Connection – regional involvement in all many transportation projects in Boulder County
Bicycle Colorado – Member and Stakeholder in the Pedestrian/Bicycle Advisory Community for Colorado.
People for Bikes – Member and supporter.
Connection with all e-Bike retailers in Boulder County via Community Cycles e-bike usage survey

Our goal is to co-create e-Biking Safety Awareness programs for communities in Colorado, focused on underage riders that do not have permits/license and seniors that have not ridden a bike (or e-Bike) in years. This program would allow youths to register their e-Bikes, know what types of e-Bikes are allowed and not allowed on multi-use paths; and be protected from theft by registering their e-Bikes with local police. In addition to registration with photo the teenager and their e-Bike, we offer a Riding Skills/Safety training specifically focused on e-Biking. Once the in-person course is completed, teens can take an online test and receive a certificate of competition to use their e-Bike on public paths and streets.

We’re co-creating a model with local stakeholders that can replicated throughout the state of Colorado. Please contact me here is you have feedback or recommendations.