Frequently seen around town, especially State St and the Mesa: 3 young kids (mostly girls) on a Rad Bike hauling a... All 3 texting, including the driver. No enforcement. We need bike police, especially in those areas. Parents need to be held responsible with hefty fines. And throttle bikes should be included in the Class B license, or maybe a new class created. Incredibly dangerous are dares that take kids through red lights and stop signs when they don't have the right of way. Not only deadly dangerous for the kids, but also very unfair and devastating to car drivers who may end up killing a child even when following all traffic rules.
Agree! Why does it matter if the motor is electric or gas?
One anwer fits all: Who is paying for the e-bikes? Who is enabling their minor children to buzz around on e-bikes? Who will be first in line to sue and demand action when their child is injured (or worse) in an accident involving an e-bike?
A few days back, I'm heading up Milpas. A kid on an ebikes, with 2 younger kids riding as passengers, rubs a red light, cuts me off and proceeds to zig and zag in traffic. No helmets on any of them. Tried to get away from them but it was as if they were taunting drivers and trying to get in an accident. So infuriating.
Please be aware that there are different types of e-bikes. The problems are coming from the Class 3 ebikes that have throttles and they are indeed just like mopeds. Class 1 ebikes are pedal assist only: no pedal, no power. There are no throttles and they are great for getting in shape as the rider is always trying to minimize battery consumption. Class 1 ebikes should not be targeted by regulations that go after the class 3 throttle bikes that terrorize State St.
I have a different take on these ebikes... the popularity of these bikes in recent years is something we should embrace as an alternative to our car-centric culture. I think it's great that kids (and us adults!) are able to get around town on their own without relying on cars - hopefully it's a habit that sticks into their adulthood. That said, I agree that cars and bikes do not mix. Education on the rules of the road can help, but what's missing are additional Class IV protected bike lanes (e.g. Cota St.) and Class I bike paths (e.g. Modoc Rd.) that can serve as obvious alternatives to sharing the road. Clearly there's demand for it and I think we can all agree the status quo isn't ideal - I'd just hate for the solution to be to continue to prioritize cars over healthier and more sustainable alternatives.
These are motorcycles. License them. And yes I am an avid motorcyclist and bicyclist. If is has a throttle its a moto.
I LOVE this blog situation! I just walked this route two days ago (my spouse and I come here every summer for six weeks), and it is one of my favorite routes. I have Spouse take me up Ladero, then I walk along that road, over to Romero Canyon Rd...Back and forth I go, trying not to miss an inch of this area. I am signing up for your newsletter for sure! Such a wonderful surprise to have found you/this!
I used to ride a regular bike every day here in Santa Barbara. Unfortunately I had too many near collisions with people passing me on the right on e-bikes (with no warning, and coming up at high speed). I got spooked and stopped riding. I miss it a lot and it was a big part of my life. Downtown, I definitely don't feel safe walking in the "promenade." We stick to the sidewalks. I think multiple kids will have to die before anything is done with regulating e-bikes and who rides them and where. There are dashcam videos that come up pretty frequently on Reddit from other SoCal communities like Irvine of kids blasting through red lights at massive intersections and nearly dying.
As a lifelong cyclist, and someone who has seen up close and personal what a car can do to someone on a bike, I seriously cringe every time I see a kid on an e-bike riding dangerously or with no helmet on. Even worse - the "helmet on, but not clipped" and "helmet hanging from my handlebars" look seems to be catching on. Someone needs to come up with the e-bike version of Red Asphalt and start showing it to kids. Alternately - the police need to start ticketing these kids. A moving violation on a bicycle is just as valid as one in a car, and can put points against a drivers license or a future one. Maybe the threat of not being able to drive a car would talk some sense into these kids. Ahhhh to be young and feel invincible...
Thank you, Jeff.
The Crane houseboat was beautiful. I bought my Cal 3-30, the "32," in the living room of that vessel.
If you like something because it makes you feel like you're in New York, when you are, in fact, in the most beautiful place in the world - Santa Barbara Harbor(!), Marina 3C(!) - you are wasting your life and should go back to New York my man.
-you don't surf-
Who ever wrote that nasty comment. Get a life. It’s not mandatory that you read Siteline.
Erik, what a spectacular jaunt around Paris! I'm inspired to go back...and buy a bunch of peonies from the flower market. Truly a dreamy two weeks you had. Thanks a million for sharing so thoughtfully.
Thanks for taking me on your tour of my favorite city. Your eye for detail is stellar and much appreciated!
Loved loved loved this article and pictures of Paris! My husband and I fell in love with Paris and returned often, renting apartments on Ils. St Louis and living the Parisian life while there. Our travel days are behind us now, so your virtual trip was especially appreciated and brought back so many fabulous memories! Well done...and thank you!
Your encouragement of vision in viewing our SB real estate including homes and local establishments is now inspiring us to reconnect to our past travels with what could easily be a Travel Book filled with delight through your photos and delicious descriptions!!! Thank you for encouraging us to travel more...as we tend to love living/staying in our SB beauty...
Across from La Arcada at 8. E. Figueroa. Maybe part of Bank of the West.
Nope, but thanks for guessing!
First Church of Christ, Scientist on East Valerio Street.
she hired a local architect to do work on a house she bought that he was the original architect , he did the agreed work at the agreed price, sent her a $30,000 bill and after many months of attempting to collect the debt she sent said architect $5,000 with the comment "that's all you get" and a couple months later she flipped the house for a $5 million profit.
that is a disgusting human being.
We enjoyed Parcelles on our last visit. We used to rent apartments in haut Marais and it’s full of good food extending over into the 11th.
Real Esate ads…I miss your early days - before real estate ads - when your snark and honestly weren’t G-Rated. Get your license and start drinking your “truth serum” again. I loved your perspective so much. I would’ve used you as an agent. You “see” it all in such a unique and funny way.
Erik, Paris is a pearl, but how dare you not visit any fashion museums! ; ) A New Yorker in Paris skipping fashion during couture week? You must return and finish the trip.
"A main reason I travel is to feel more alive, or alive in a different way, than at home." - also me
Lovely romp through Paris. But pas de Fauchon? Sacre bleu!
