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Complaints and concerns about electric bike use on the East Bay Bike Path ticked up last week.

Barrington Police received an email from an East Providence resident on Wednesday, July 1. Police said the email detailed complaints about e-bikes traveling on the East Bay Bike Path. Police tried to contact the woman to further discuss the issues listed in the email, but they were unable to speak with her. They are still trying to get her contact information.

Meanwhile, two East Bay residents submitted letters to the editor focused on e-bikes. Barrington resident Ken Horii wrote that local police need to enforce the existing restrictions governing e-bike use on the bike path.

“I recommend bicycle riding police officers patrol the paths (especially on weekends during the summer when path use is greatest) to give citations while directing these illegal riders off the path,” Horii wrote. “Until the restrictions are enforced, these violations will continue and increase... as will accidents.”

Horii wrote that the throttle-only Class 2 and 3 e-"bikes" are “correctly restricted (posted signs announce this law) from RI bike paths because they possess a capacity for high speeds that significantly exceed non-motorized bicycles…” Horii wrote that most Class 2 and 3 e-bikes sustain speeds of 28 mph or faster, “which is dangerous on bicycle paths with pedestrians and slower bicycles.”

“Not only do these classes of e-bikes present a danger to other bike path users, but I have observed many riders operating without helmets, and clearly exhibiting a lack of ability to safely control speed and braking,” he wrote.

Portsmouth resident Ann Sullivan wrote a letter urging parents to instruct their children on the safe and proper use of e-bikes.

“Before a child is hit or personal property is destroyed, I would urge parents to make the effort to educate the riders on the safe use of the bikes and the importance of respecting the property of others” Sullivan wrote. “In addition, it may be time to have the bikes registered and tagged so those riders who exceed safe practice or encroach on private property can be reported.”

People vent concerns about e-bikes on the East Bay Bike Path - EastBayRI.com Complaints and concerns about electric bike use on the East Bay Bike Path ticked up last week. Barrington Police received an email from an East Providence resident on Wednesday, July 1. Police …