eBikes for the disabled!

[rider95]

I always ride with my handicap placard on my bike I ride a lot of the best top rated mtb trails I can find I will be in Tampa on the 27 to ride Alafia river , santos , I try and not park were there is a crowd and don't let my bike sit out too long trust me there is plenty of e bike haters . When I am out on the trail and come across a group of riders stopped , I stop and chat with them when one of them notices my e bike I take the time to explain I am legally handicapped I have a disc in my back and two knees that need to be replaced then there's the diabetes that have made my feet numb and with out my E bike I could not ride and enjoy the trails . They all agree with me I get a lot of hi 5s and positive comments , when speaking with a IMBA the thing I am getting from them about E bikes is if the bike can throw a roost then it wont be allowed also they seem to be more comfortable with the term pedal assist . The thing that will have the biggest impact on E bike trail access in a negative way is something I am very guilty of I can not stand bike bullies they think they own the trails its there personal race track their dressed to the max in there racing jersey and shorts flying by ppl just a few in,s weaving in out flying up on ppl never giving up hill riders the right of way just be fast jerks . I am an old Motocross racer raced every weekend for 30yr a many many time winner state champ I know how ride even if my body is trying to stop me , well when I see guys like this I just can,t help my self its on I will chase them down I will get on their tail and start putting presser on them show them part of my front tire I keep it up some times I will pull up next to them and make small talk the last video I posted I chased this guy down at Santos fl and almost felt sorry for him the look on his face when I passed him price Less!!!!! the guy probably hasn't been passed in yrs I know I shouldn't do this its the racer in me

 

[arkmundi]

I always ride with my handicap placard on my bike I ride a lot...

++Love the stories

 

[arkmundi]

This today:
On Fri, Apr 17, 2015 at 3:10 PM, James Estrella <jestrella@worcpublib.org> wrote:

Dear Mr. K***** –

My name is James Estrella. I am the Human Resources Manager at the Worcester Public Library. I was asked to follow up with you regarding your request to be allowed to bring in your electric bicycle into the Library and its branches.

Please be advised that out Patron Behavior Policy (approved March 10, 2015 and attached to this email) prohibits the use or storage of bicycles inside the Worcester Public Library and its branches. All bicycles must be left outside of the buildings. At the Main Branch library, we have bicycle racks that you can secure your bicycle to with your own lock and chain.

I have been advised that you have obtained a HP Placard and believe that with it you are allowed to enter into public buildings with your bicycle. I have contacted and confirmed with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles that the issuance of a Handicap Placard is specifically for a registered passenger motor vehicle to park in designated accessible parking spaces only, and for no other purpose.

I would like to be clear that we do welcome and encourage patrons who are users of wheelchairs, walkers, and canes to visit our library. In fact, the library currently has a walker that patrons do use and is an option for you to use as well. Additionally, we are in the process of obtaining a wheelchair and an additional walker for patron use in the building that would also be available to you.

Regards,
James Estrella
Human Resources and Development Manager
Worcester Public Library
508.799.1642
jestrella@worcpublib.org

---------
And my reply:

Dear sir: I was advised to acquire a DMV handicapped placard as adequate proof of disability. In fact the Americans for Disability Act acknowledges that such is sufficient proof. As it requires a physician exam, registration, picture ID and name. I'm using the placard in the context of the ADA and recognition of my assistive device. I do not own or drive a car, though I use my assistive device on the roads as well as indoors. You say bicycle. I say electric two wheel wheelchair.

I use my motive device everywhere in Worcester, including Union Station, City Hall, restaurants, shopping malls, etc. The ONLY place where I am being verbally assaulted for my use is the Library, which is the last place I would expect.

I will continue to use it, at the library, and every where else. This device has liberated me to a world of mobility, otherwise constrained. In my two years of use, I have never run into or harmed a person. In fact, I am more agile on than off, as I have a hard time standing & walking. If the library feels it has some case, then I would be happy to settle the matter in court. Should the library wish to enter a civil proceeding, I will counter-sue. Please advise on how you would like to proceed.

Thank you for the kindness of consideration and reply.

R**** K*****

Copy: Jayna Turchek, Esq, Director of Human Rights and Disabilities, City of Worcester

 

[daddz]

thats the sort of thing that would have the laws changed down under
i tried to take my trike on my recent holiday trip using the trains, the xpt, which has a carriage for disabled people and also ample parking room for at least 2 large gophers, mobility scooters. when i booked my trip i made the inquiry about taking it on the rain, my trike has a slightly smaller footprint than a medium sized gopher. i explained it was a mobility aid, presented my implant card, i do not have a disability card and even if i did that would not of changed the situation according to the station master who inspected my trike before contacting his boss, the station master mentioned his fear was that it would roll around, to which i replied with i can attach 2 small blocks of wood either side of one wheel to stop that. he than mentioned inconvenience to other passengers, to which i could only reply, without it i will be extremely limited in what i could do on my holiday and would mean that 75% of my time would be spent in the motel, he apologized lol, was a costly week in a room with only short trips out every second day, mostly just to buy enough food to last me. i even offered to get a letter from my doctor to state it is a mobility aid to no avail.
now the funny thing about this is, i was told if it was a 2 wheel bike it would be fine, but i need 3 due to balance problems at times. he even mentioned how the battery box might induce terrorism fear on the train,
my only option left is to contact a politician, but i fear they will use my example as another reason to ban ebikes, or etrikes.
yet while i was in brisbane i witnessed a tramp traveller with a rather large 4 wheeled garden type trolley over packed, with stuff hanging on the sides, he walked of a train with it and then went to the bus depot where i was headed, i also seen the bus driver assist him to lift it into the storage area, go figure, it was a way bigger footprint than my ride. the worst is i was prepared to pay a fair equal to my ticket to take it with me, the motel i booked even offered me lockup storage for it when i booked and said i may be bringing it.
i guess they want me to go back to driving cars and risk the lives of others when i take a turn, instead of just myself.
ps when i ride on footpaths i travel at about 6kmh and will stop and wait for people to move if the path is blocked. and since getting mine up and going 3 other disabled people have brought a etrike from the local bike shop, and another called out yestie when i was riding past to say she is getting hers today or monday. im planning to contact her and offer a few tips and lessons in how to handle it, hopefully more etrikes mean more leeway

 

[arkmundi]

An update on where I'm at in my on-going saga
Sometimes good things happen. When I presented for the Doctor's verification of disability so as to receive a DMV placard, there was an unforeseen consequence. I did so in the context of the Affordable Care Act and the newly revised MassHealth, a state run exchange. Remember, there was recently a case before the Supreme Court about that. The Massachusetts universal care system pre-dated and was in part a model for the ACA.

The placard thrust me into an unexpected drama. Since I might be disabled, I might qualify for Medicaid. And MassHealth wanted everyone so qualified to be fully evaluated and placed into that plan. I believe the state then gets more money from the federal government, so were motivated. So I get this letter from MassHealth earlier this year saying that they wanted me to be evaluated. Meaning a licensed physician examines me and makes a determination as to my eligibility as disabled under Medicaid. Its both Medicare and Medicaid dollars that flow into the state exchanges and depending, you get placed into different plans with different benefits. Its not only the state that benefits from more dollars, but the covered recipient also gets upgraded to a better plan with more benefits - win-win.

My early childhood polio, in the 1950's polio epidemic in the US, left me with leg paralysis, but the medical records all disappeared. Hence there was no record available anywhere of my polio. Over the years, I have simply coped, and have not expected anything from the health care system. Until, that is, when I asked for that DMV placard. Now, I have that, but I also have a medical record that fully verifies that I'm disabled.

What this does is bolster my claim for rights under the Americans for Disability Act. Meaning, while I may not have a leg to stand on :lol:, neither does the City of Worcester in its assault on my rights. So I'll press on.

There has been an escalation of the issue. Its not just the library, but City Hall and all other locales under the jurisdiction of the City of Worcester. In my various appeals for the mercy of allowing my eBike as mobility device under the ADA, so right of passage in these places, I'm now in their radar. I had a confrontation with Jayna Turchek, Esq, Director of Human Rights and Disabilities for the City of Worcester. After all the correspondence and while at City Hall, she personally confronted me and escorted me out of the building. WTF??? The one person you'd expect to get some consideration from. But it was apparently her job to ensure that I would be evicted.

On June 23rd I received a letter from MassHealth stating that indeed I am disabled. End of a 6 month long process. I'm now better prepared to defend myself in Court, should it come to that, ready to be arrested. The next time that anyone working for the City confronts me, I'll simply say, please, please arrest me. And then proceed to ask for a settlement most favourable to me when it goes to Court. Seems that the leg the City is trying to stand on is weaker than mine. :lol: