To the editor:

A very precise and sensible letter was written last week by Jerry Blitefield of Warren about the imminent danger to the East Bay Bike Path. He talks about the current law with no motorized vehicles being allowed on the path, which should remain. Now with the new craze of E-Bikes, it appears that these motorized vehicles will be free to roam at high speeds thanks to the misguided actions of the House of Representatives who recently passed a bill to allow E-Bikes there.

This is pure lunacy. I can only imagine what kind of intense lobbying occurred where elected representatives of the people have disregarded basic common sense, to permit an obvious danger to those walkers and non-motorized bikers who now use the path.

This is a most predictable disaster, just waiting to happen if E-Bikes can race freely on the Path. How soon before someone is severely injured, or worse dies by being run over by a powerful motorized E-Bike? The certainty and odds of this happening is a sure bet. It is insane to allow a motorized vehicle flying by a person meandering along the path with 5 ft. width! Sure, some E-Bikers might act responsibly when approaching people walking, but there will always be speed demons, one of life’s guarantees.

It’s bad enough that there are nutty bikers now who believe they are in the Tour de France, flying past an elderly person, or a family with a stroller with a dog on a leash, at intensely high speeds. These folks are dangerous enough, but there are no speed limits attached to the use of the path, a known risk. I personally know of two friends who experienced terrible injuries when a group of kids appeared out of nowhere with their speedy bicycles, cutting them off as sensible bikers using ordinary bikes.

Dangers already exist on the East bay Bike Path, and to bring various classes of motorized E-Bikes in the mix will only result in terrible injuries. They should be banned and it is my hope that we will all call upon our Senators to prevail and STOP the insanity from happening by denying this legislation. Injuries, and possibly fatalities and lawsuits will prevail. The sponsors of this insane legislation should be held personally liable for any accident occurring with a motorized E-Bike.

Both Tom Brynes and George Sisson, the great people who created the East Bay Bike Path, for the enjoyment of everyone, would never have envisioned or allowed such an obvious threat to human life as now presented by this sick legislation. Please call your Senators to prevent this from happening.

Stephan Brigidi
Highland Rd.
Bristol