Is there room

on Peachtree City's golf cart paths for E-Bikes?

The E-Bikes,

which have electric motors that can assist pedaling or power the bike

on its own, are technically not allowed on the golf cart paths. A city

ordinance forbids all motorized vehicles from the cart paths except for

golf carts, of course.

After testing

an E-Bike, a sergeant from the Peachtree City Police Department has recommended

they not be allowed on the path system due to a number of reasons.

Whether E-Bikes

can co-exist with pedestrians, their pets and golf carts will likely be

determined by the Peachtree City Council at an upcoming meeting.

The bikes travel

at speeds up to 14 or 18 miles per hour, depending on the model purchased.

The speeds, which are controlled by a unit on the handlebars, can be set

at anywhere from five to seven different speeds. The speed can also be

set with cruise control and another feature allows for a burst of power

to help cyclists get up hills.

This all sounds

convenient, but a memo from the police department portrays the E-Bike

as difficult to control, particularly when braking.

"The brakes

are sufficient, but often lock the wheels with little effort," the

police memo states.

The department

was loaned an E-Bike from the local E-Bike dealership that opened in Peachtree

City earlier this year. The department had requested the loaner so it

could be put through the rigors of the city's paved multi-use path system.

"The E-Bike

can be enjoyable to ride in paved areas for recreational use, but it is

not, in its current design, suitable for off-road, cart path or police

use," the memo states.

The memo also

found fault with the bike's suspension, its weight and the difficulty

in handling the bike when pedaling due to the increased weight. The bike

would have difficulties on portions of the path that have slick surfaces,

exposed roots or heavy pine straw, the memo indicates.

"The suspension

of the bike is extremely stiff, and it is equipped with slick, non-aggressive

tires. This, when coupled with the bike's weight, equates to a bike that

is challenging to maintain control over when riding on wet slippery surfaces,

as well as any unpaved or rough bumpy terrain," the memo states.

The memo compared

the E-Bike it tested to a moped on several occasions, although mopeds

typically can travel much faster than the 18 mph maximum speed of the

E-Bike. Specifically, the e-bike is similar to a moped in terms of its

weight, which is 75 pounds, the memo indicated.

The department

tested a 36-volt model which travels up to 18 mph. Other models of the

E-Bike are available with a 24-volt motor that has a maximum speed of

14 mph.

Georgia law

allows for electric-assisted bikes on public roads and highways, but the

operator must be 15 years or older with a valid driver's license or permit.

The operator of the bike must also wear an approved bicycle helmet for

protection, according to Georgia law.

For more information

on E-Bikes, visit www.ebike.com or www.goebike.com .

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