L.A. Policymakers and Media Invited to Special eBike Tour and Presentation at the Electric Bike Expo

Media Alert & Invite – November 15, 2016

From: Melissa Balmer – Media Director/California Bicycle Coalition Melissa@calbike.org Tel. 562.221.9672

Re: L.A. Policymakers and Media Invited to Special eBike Tour + Presentation at the Electric Bike Expo Friday, Dec. 2 in Santa Monica

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Sacramento CA – Media and policymakers are invited to join the California Bicycle Coalition (CalBike), Bosch, the Electric Bike Expo, Santa Monica Spoke, and the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition on Friday, December 2nd in Santa Monica for an afternoon eBike tour and presentation.  Learn more about the opportunity electric bikes present for engaging the broader public in the benefits of bicycling, what’s next in California’s progressive eBike policy thought leadership, and how Santa Monica achieved a remarkable 356{850a63fa8a72bae4d6bfa3f1eda9f619cddace10f9053ede128e2914f9ca5a15} growth in biking and counting.

The event will start at 1:00 pm at the Electric Bike Expo in Santa Monica Pier parking lot at 1550 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica 90401, and end by 2:00 pm. Participation is free, the ride is easy and appropriate for all levels of ridership,but space is limited. Please send your RSVP to Melissa@Calbike.org. Afterwards, the media can learn more about the specific eBike brands being represented at the Expo and try out more of them on the test track. Participants are asked to come at least a half an hour early so they we can get you set up with the right bike. Please bring your own helmet if you have one.

Ride and Presentation Agenda

• 1:00  PM – Bosch: Introduction to eBikes by Claudia Wasko, Bosch eBike Systems

• 1:10  PM – Group Ride led by Cynthia Rose, Santa Monica Spoke

• 1:45 PM – Presentation by Linda Khamoushian and Charlie Gandy of the California Bicycle Coalition, and Colin Bogart of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition

Why eBikes & Bicycling Are Important to California

Over the past few years, California has jumped 11 spots to its current ranking as the nation’s 8th most bike-friendly state, assessed annually by the League of American Bicyclists. CalBike feels strongly that electric bikes are key to creating an even more bike-friendly future not only for the state but across the country, and the emerging industry has looked to California for its policy leadership. “California is leading the eBike movement as the first state to pass a progressive three-class eBike law, making it the role model for other states when it comes to eBike legislation. We are looking forward to showing Los Angeles residents how pedal-assist eBikes can help California reach its ambitious goal of tripling cycling by 2020.” said Claudia Wasko, General Manager of Bosch eBike Systems Americas.

• In 2015, CalBike sponsored changes to the state Vehicle Code to reclassify low-speed electric bicycles as regular bikes instead of like mopeds. These changes mean that people riding low-speed eBikes can now access bicycle paths. The legislation is a model for the nation, according to the industry association, People for Bikes.

• Bicycling has increased 78{850a63fa8a72bae4d6bfa3f1eda9f619cddace10f9053ede128e2914f9ca5a15} in California since 2000, while the risk of injury while biking has gone down about 40{850a63fa8a72bae4d6bfa3f1eda9f619cddace10f9053ede128e2914f9ca5a15}.

• Under guidance from CalBike, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is expected to release an RFP late this year/early next to include an eBike and regular bike bike-share program as part of their “Car Sharing and Mobility Options Pilot Project” for disadvantaged communities.

• CalBike has proposed a groundbreaking “Bicycle Purchase Incentive Pilot Program” to the California Air Resources Board (which oversees rebate programs for clean vehicle purchases) seeking $10 million in funding to grant Californians up to $500 vouchers on the purchase of new utility bicycles, including e-bikes.

• The majority of the eBike brands featured in the eBike Expo have their U.S. headquarters based in California.

•  In 2014, California accounted for 1.2 billion dollars of the 6.1 billion dollars in U.S. bike-related sales.

• California hosts 1,119 retail bikes shops and they employ over 9,700 employees.

• Learn more from our California Bicycling Fact Sheet.

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