“E-bikes go really fast—faster than the surrounding people and cyclists and pedestrians would warrant.”

Unregulated e-bikes are a growing danger on American streets. David Darlington, a lifelong cyclist, examines how one Marin County crash finally led to reform. Class 1 e-bikes are pedal assist only up to 20 mph; Class 2 adds a throttle; Class 3 can hit 28 mph. The proliferation during the pandemic brought riders unfamiliar with cycling etiquette onto paths at speeds the infrastructure wasn’t designed to handle.