🐚 A computer inside a seashell?

E-Moto Regulation Conversation Resurfaces After Teen Death

A 14-year-old boy died Tuesday evening when he lost control while riding his electric motorcycle down stairs under I-5 at The Colonnade, an urban mountain bike park. The boy was wearing a bike helmet rather than a motorcycle helmet. E-motos are not allowed to be used in Seattle Parks, though this rule is often ignored. [Seattle Bike Blog]

• Differentiating e-bike and e-motos: Washington State passed a law this year clarifying what counts as an electric bicycle. They also convened a task force to figure out how to regulate devices that exceed the electric bicycle power and speed limits. Advocates say reclassifying certain electric bikes as e-motorcycles is necessary for safety because they’re closer in speed to motorcycles: some advertise max speeds of more than 50 miles per hour. [Seattle Bike Blog]
• Rise in e-bike accidents: Dr. Beth Ebel, a pediatrician at Harborview Medical Center, told KUOW the hospital has seen a rise in e-bike accidents. When they’re not wearing helmets, riders are coming in with more severe head injuries. Dr. Ebel said in some cases, a bike helmet is not enough when someone is riding at greater speeds. [KUOW]
• King County is trying to curb e-bikes, e-motos on trails: The county is beginning a public awareness campaign to stop motorized vehicles capable of reaching speeds well above 30 mph from using the trails. Under state law, the speed limit on trails is 15 mph. No e-bikes or electric scooters of any kind are allowed in Seattle Parks. [Seattle Times]
• What do you think should be done about e-bikes in our city? Reply to this email and let us know or text/call 206-880-3931

🔎 Reflecting on six months of Mayor Wilson: PubliCola just released a two part conversation with Mayor Katie Wilson reflecting on her first half year in office. They dig into this year’s $175 million budget deficit, shelter expansion, news vouchers, police budgets, and the rift between the mayor and city council among many other topics. [PubliCola]

🎭 An unexpected response to AI: Puppet shows are all the rage right now– see our very first podcast episode 🎧. This time we’re talking surreal shadow theater and DIY puppet punk. Two new shows are coming to Theatre Off Jackson from Seattle puppeteers Zane Exactly and Cass Bray, who have helped build the local puppetry scene. [Axios]

🐚 A computer inside a seashell? What is this, a computer for mermaids? Cyberdecks – DIY, aesthetic computers inside everyday objects – are having a moment. They’re designed for specific tasks like vlogging or web browsing without exposing your data. And Seattle artist Kate Bailey is leading a workshop in August. Want to learn more? We’re discussing cyberdecks on this week’s bonus segment. Become a neighbor to hear! [The Stranger]