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The Bikeshare Dilemma
Plus, Atlanta's 61-mile trail, Florida's new e-bike law, and stats for the nerds
Sam Westby
February 12, 2026
Welcome to the Bike Bulletin. It’s like a tailwind for your inbox.
This newsletter is about a love for two-wheeled transit. From riding around town to riding across the country, the more time you spend on a bike, the better. You can look forward to a new edition every week.
Here’s what we have today.
🌍 RIDE: The Silver Comet Trail, Atlanta, Georgia
🎥 WATCH: The Bikeshare Dilemma
📰 NEWS: New laws, new funding, and a tunnel was saved
Written by Sam Westby, @samcwestby
ROUTE ON MY RADAR
The Silver Comet Trail
The Silver Comet is named for how fast you intend to go, not how fast you actually go once you meet a headwind. It’s located northwest of Atlanta, Georgia, and takes users all the way to the Alabama border. Once you get there, you can hop on Alabama’s Chief Ladiga Trail.
61 miles (98 kilometers)
Scenic vibe: woods, creeks, bridges, and a “green tunnel” feel
It’s a rail-trail, so the climbs are so gentle
Official Website: https://www.silvercometga.com/
WHAT I’M WATCHING
Shared micromobility has boomed in some cities (Chicago, D.C., Boston) and is struggling in others (Cleveland, San Diego). Uytae Lee breaks down the dilemma of how to run a bikeshare program. Do you treat it like a public transit service, or like a premium private service?
Watch on YouTube
Florida proposes a situational 10 mph e-bike speed limit
In the wake of New Jersey’s ridiculous e-bike law, we’re cautious about other states jumping on board. Florida recently proposed a law requiring riders to slow down on shared paths when pedestrians are present. This actually seems reasonable. It’s a scary feeling when an e-bike zips past me on a trail, just like it’s scary when a car zips past me when I’m biking on the road. Unfortunately, this isn’t a common courtesy, but ultimately, this law should make our trails more pleasant for everyone.
Source: electrek.co
The W&OD Trail in Northern Virginia Stays Beautiful
Dominion Energy manages the vegetation on much of this 33-mile mixed-use trail. Back in early 2025, they decided to start more aggressive vegetation removal, cutting plants and trees along a 4-mile stretch of the trail. After push-back from residents along the entire trail, NOVA Parks and Dominion just reached a new agreement to preserve the nature more responsibly. Advocacy works!
Source: FABB Bikes
New Research Shows That Drivers Don’t Understand Cyclist Hand-Signals
In a recently published paper, researchers at Rice University tested drivers’ abilities to predict cyclists’ intentions. They found a few things:
Pointing works. If you’re turning left, point left. If you’re turning right, point right.
Just looking at where you want to go is not enough.
Positioning yourself in the left lane is not enough.
 | This signal means “right turn”, but many drivers in the study did not know that. It is safer to point right. |
The take-home: be overly obvious. The drivers in the study saw the cyclists, but often had a hard time predicting what they would do. Big and simple signals help you stay safer on the road. Communicate what you’re doing, and everyone will have a better time.
Read more: news.ride.edu
Advocates Save the Derry Rail Trail Tunnel
In 2024, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation attempted to change construction plans of the Derry Rail Trail, replacing a tunnel under a 6-lane highway with a steep on-ramp and a crosswalk. Advocates spoke out and eventually sued the NHDOT.
In June 2025, a US District Judge ruled against the NHDOT, enforcing that the trail must be built similar to the original design.
This month, the Committee to Save the Derry Rail Trail Tunnel and Rails to Trails Conservancy announced a settlement protecting the tunnel!
Read more: railstotrails.org
Quick Hits
Hawaii. This state is working on a bill to update its e-bike classifications to Class 1, 2, and 3. They currently do not have clear definitions. (KHON)
Age 14. A new Oregon bill would lower the legal e-bike riding age from 16 to 14. (bikeportland.org)
Safety Yield. A bill allowing Virginia cyclists to treat stop signs and yields was unanimously passed by the House Transportation Committee and is headed to the House. (waba.org)
Austin, TX. This city completed a missing section to their Lady Bird Lake Trail, so users no longer have to detour between two separated sections. (The Daily Texan)
$3.5 million. San Diego received a new grant that will go toward their Chollas Creek to Bayshore Bikeway project. (Fox 5 San Diego)
A Note From Sam
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