eBike riders caught on the Carriage Roads at Acadia National Park can be fined $130/NPS clipart
Opposition to allowing eBikes on non-motorized trails in the federal lands system has been voiced by dozens of conservation groups, who fear permitting the motorized bikes on those trails will create a "slippery slope" that will lead to future problems with managing those trails.
In a letter to the chief of the U.S. Forest Service, the acting director of the National Park Service, and the acting director of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the groups stated that they "oppose any effort that would allow any class of vehicle with a motor – including all classes of e-bikes, which by definition have a motor – to be allowed on non-motorized trails."
The issue came to light earlier this summer at Acadia National Park in Maine, where eBike users were told they could not ride on the Carriage Roads that wind through the park on Mount Desert Island. Fines for those caught on the roads start at $130, according to the park's website.
Discussion of that ban on National Parks Traveler spurred comments from many eBike users who said the bikes allow them to enjoy areas of parks that they normally couldn't walk to due to declining health.
"Apart from ebike commuters, I believe you will find ebikers to be an older, less fit demographic with some medical issues. We are not speed focused. Don't shut us out without at least a trial period," wrote DML.
In Traveler's weekly podcast, Kristen Brengel of the National Parks Conservation Association and Phil Francis of the Coalition to Protect America's National Parks voiced concern over allowing eBikes on non-motorized trails, and said the National Park Service needs to evaluate the issue carefully and fully and, if the decision is made to provide more access to the bikes beyond existing motorized routes, adopt strict regulations that outline where the various classes of eBikes are allowed to travel.
There are three "classes" of eBikes:
* Class 1: eBikes that are pedal-assist only, with no throttle, and have a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph.
* Class 2: eBikes that also have a maximum speed of 20 mph, but are throttle-assisted.
* Class 3: eBikes that are pedal-assist only, with no throttle, and a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph.
"Class 2 may not be suitable for singletrack mountainbike trails - it has been shown that they pose greater physical damage to trails due to the throttle-actuation," writes eBike manufacturer Bosch on its website. "Class 2 may be better suited for multi-use OHV trails designed for more rugged off-road vehicles.
"Class 3 eBikes are typically allowed on roads and on-road bike lanes (“curb to curb” infrastructure), but restricted from bike trails and multiuse paths. While a 20-mph maximum speed is achievable on a traditional bicycle, decision makers and agencies consider the greater top-assisted speed of a Class 3 eBike too fast for most bike paths and trails that are often shared with other trail users."
The conservation organizations, which range from the Addison Oaks Trail Riders to the Yankee Springs Trail Riders Association, say motorized vehicles should be kept separate from trails used by hikers and horseback riders.
"Non-motorized trails were created to ensure that the public could find recreational trail opportunities free from the ever-growing motorization and mechanization," reads the letter. "Millions of public land users including hikers, backpackers, hunters, horse packers, climbers, mountain bikers and many more, value non-motorized trails for recreation. Opening non-motorized trails to motors would forever change the backcountry experience for these users.
"We recognize that e-bikes have a place on public lands and generally should be allowed where motorized vehicles are permitted. The existing motorized trail system provides plentiful opportunities for e-bike use with tens of thousands of miles of trails currently open to their use."
There are groups organized to lobby for greater access for eBikes. PeopleforBikes strives to get more people across the country on bikes, and the growing popularity of eBikes hasn't been overlooked by this group. On their site are a number of papers discussing the benefits of eBikes. One even examines motorized mountain bikes and perceptions about them.
While the popularity of pedal-assist electric bikes (eBikes) generally is growing, electric-mountain bikes (eMTB) have not received a warm welcome by many within the mountain biking community. Anecdotally, a variety of concerns have been raised concerning eMTB use, including trail damage, trail confict, decreased trail access, and the perception that eMTB use is not “real” mountain biking or is “cheating.”
The outcome of that paper was that, "(T)hree predominant themes emerged: What is an eMTB?, Trails, and How should eMTBs be used? There was general confusion about the features and capabilities of eMTBs except by those who had previously used one. Commenters expressed concern over a variety of trail-related issues, including that eMTBs will damage trails similar to the way motorized vehicles do and that they could cause restricted access to some trail systems. There were inconsistent opinions on the use of eMTBs, where some comments saw riding mountain bikes as a 'rite of passage' and that using an eMTB was 'cheating.' There was some level of acknowledgement that eMTBs may be useful for promoting exercise, but this was mediated by the 'rite of passage' belief.'"
According to PeopleForBikes, there already are "more than 300,000 miles of singletrack, doubletrack, and natural surface roads accessible to motorized users."
In their letter of opposition, the conservation organizations wrote that allowing eBikes on non-motorized trails "is ill-advised and would undermine nearly a half century of management precedents and practices. First, allowing e-bikes on non-motorized trails would be un-manageable and send agencies down a slippery slope towards allowing further motorization of trails and potentially the entire backcountry. Federal land managers simply do not have the resources to police e-bikes on trails."
"Second, permitting e-bikes on non-motorized trails is contrary to long-standing 'travel management' laws and policies dating back to the Nixon administration that require all motorized recreational uses of our public lands to be confined to a system of designated roads, trails, and areas. Among other requirements, motorized trails must be located to minimize conflicts with other recreational uses of the public lands, as well as damage to soil, water, and other public land resources and harassment of wildlife."
Currently, the groups concluded, there are multiple opportunities for users to enjoy both motorized and non-motorized opportunities on public lands. However, they added, "(O)pening non-motorized trails to motorized bikes would effectively eliminate the non-motorized, primitive recreational opportunities."
Here's the list of those groups that signed the letter:
Addison Oaks Trail Riders
Allegan County Pleasure Riders
American Endurance Ride Conference
American Hiking Society
American Flyers
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Back Country Horsemen of America (and the 30 BCH states and 196 chapters, full listing at end)
Bay Area Barns and Trails
Blue Ridge Horsemen's Association
Brighton Trail Riders Association
Canalway Partners-Board Member
Carolina Mountain Club
Colorado Mountain Club
Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Assoc, Inc.
Conserving Carolina
Continental Divide Trail Coalition
County Line Riders of Catalina, Inc
Dallas Off Road Bicycle Association (DORBA)
East Mountain Regional Trails Council
Fort Custer Horse Friends Association
Grand Valley Trails Alliance
Greater Yellowstone Coalition
Highlands Plateau Greenway
Ice Age Trail Alliance
Idaho Trails Association
Indiana Trails Community
Ionia Horse Trails Association
Kensington Trail Riders
Maybury Trail Riders
Michigan Horse Council
Michigan Trail Riders Association
Montana Wilderness Association
Montana Backcountry Alliance
National Parks Conservation Association
Natural Resources Council of Maine
Nickel Plate Trail, Inc
North Carolina Horse Council
North Country Trail Association Incorporated
Oregon Equestrian Trails
Oregon Horse Council
Overmountain Victory Trail Association
Pacific Crest Trail Association
Partnership for the National Trails System
Pinckney Trail Riders Association
Pisgah Trailblazers
Pontiac Lake Horseman’s Association
Proud Lake Trail Riders
Quiet Trails Group
Rose Oaks Equine Adventurers
San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council
Tri-County Horse Association
The Wilderness Society
Winter Wildlands Alliance
Yankee Springs Trail Riders Association
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Comments
What planet are you living on? Motorized trails have systematically and consistantly been closed to motorized use, and reserved for those without a motor. It would be completely accurate to say that tens of thousands of miles of motorized trails have been closed to motorized use.
When you mix in this sort of missinformation, why not just nclude the federal highway system and say there are "millions" of miles of motorized routes available. The subject here is really single track trails, so let's don't delute that to make it look different. Motorized recreationist have less single track available than any other modality.
This made me laugh and its so true, Amen!
I agree, I'm over 70, I've been riding for many years, mostly road bike competitive racing. I started mountain biklng in my early 60's and found out that I loved it. I never concerned a ebike until last year. For me it's wounderful, I can keep up with my 35 year old son.
This bike has 2.8 tires and it does way less damage than a bike with narrow tires and I find it handles well and very controllable going down steep descents, more so that my previous mountain bike.
So true, thanks Roger. As a hiker, I have no desire to hike on the "millions" of miles of motorized routes known as roads in our public lands. And I have no qualms with sharing singletrack trails on our shared public lands with people pedaling bicycles.
I say Class 1 e-bikes should be allowed on Forest Service singletrack trails where human-powered bicycles are currently allowed. But only 100% human-powerd bicycles should be allowed in Wilderness areas. Congress was clear that no motorized uses are to occur in Wilderness areas (except those uses grandfathered-in, like jetboats and motorboats and helicopters and airplanes and airstrips etc. etc. etc.), so no e-bikes in Wilderness. But human-powered bikes are ok there. Any human-powered contrivance like XC skis and AT skis and telemark skis and snowshoes with a mechanical hinge and the like should be allowed n Wilderness. But no motors.
Its all a giant joke, propegated by people who dont know anything about ebikes or self entitled mountain bikers who dont wish to share the trail with ebikes because they fear they may get crowded. In otherwords only young people who are fit enough are allowed. Class 1 and 2 ebikes do not do any more damege to trails than any biker. Id even argue that class 3 does less damage than class 2. One could argue that narrow tires do far more damage than anything else to sigle track. Ebikes are quiet and most have wider tires than many mountian bikes being used because of the weight. But this is the state of our country where the uniformed and entitled feel they get to control everything.
Being a 5th generation Montanan and veteran lover of the wild places I'd like to address the eBike issue from the standpoint of an elderly and somewhat disabled person. The bikes are not noisy nor damaging to the environment any more than mountain bikes. Furthermore, by eliminating their use you would be depriving older or less able-bodied persons of the beauty of nature we deserve just as much as younger folks. As a group, we older people have fought and paid for this privilege. On the whole, we are quiet and respectful of the wild places more so than our younger riders. So try a senior or disabled permit system. It would be self-regulating AND generate income for trail maintenance.
Amen Sister, well spoken! And what about disabled vets wanting to get onto an E bike and have some fun outdoors? The one that really stands out is the young child with a disabiltiy that precludes them from being able to bike with other children or family members? For that child, an E bike would be the best thing ever! The injuried athelete needing to rehab? The average overweight american overworked at their desk job, but discovering how much they enjoy riding in nature on their ebike. Really it is everyone, including the E bike haters as it is just a matter of time till accident, illness, age or some form of disability prevents them from being able to ride, then they will want an E bike to ride on singletrack trails.
This is such horse pucky. I invite this older "disabled" woman to try to walk on any Montana trail on weekends or holidays. The majority of ebike users are wealthy middled aged people and their spoiled kids with zero manners, taught by parents to be entitled. Normal people in trail areas cannot afford ebikes. It is freaking dangerous with yahoos quietly overtaking hikers with young children, todlers and dogs at 2 to 5X their speed without any warning but a barrage of explitives and nasty comments on the way by. It hurts their fake STRAVA times if the have to slow down. Check out the Emergency Room statistics aboiut what happens to pedestrians hit by e-bikers as well as e-bikers who can't handle their motored speed and crash into trees or off precipices. This is a rich, entitled "me first" group assisted with the proprietors of expensive light motorcycles jealous that they can't control even the wilderness paths that normal humans love to walk without being startled, yelled at or injured by the rich. Get a motorized wheelchair that will control your speed if you are disabled.
It's not about being crowded - that's misleading. It's about motorized vs non motorized. As soon as you open trails up for motorized vehicles you will not be able to stop full on motorcycles from riding there. Who will police that? From my limited experience with e bikes, I don't believe they damage trails any more than non motorized bikes, but I I've also seen how Motocross bikes have destroyed local mtb trails and am not ok with that at all.
My thoughts exactly. Stop the rhetoric, do some studies and let the data state the facts.
I have over one hundred thousand bicycling miles experience. I consider those miles have taught me to be very considerate and safe. Unfortunately eighty plus percent of those passing me riding an ebike identify themselves as such exhibiting unsafe discourteous manners. They have not earned the right to travel the speed they travel.
Unfortunately most people have no skills and on a motorized rocket are a danger to the rest of us. You feel so strongly about it go to moto cross pa where you belong
I've been montain biking (and an IMBA member) for most of my life (i.e. I'm getting older). I totally recognize that I can no longer do the big epic rides I used to be able to do 25 years ago. THATS LIFE ! Not everybody gets to do everything equally at every stage in life. We all have limitations - physical, economic, social, mental, etc. Some of those we can overcome, some maybe not. Oh well. Yet we can still excersice our "pursuit of happyness" in our own ways. And enjoy nature on our own terms.
It's very simple : ebikes have electric MOTORS. They are therefore MOTORized. They don't belong on non-motorized singletrack trails.
A motor is a motor. Trying to get around it with Class 1,2,3 is just a smokescreen. Besides, in 5 years, batteries will be lighter/cheaper/better, and class 1 bikes willl be obsolete.
And before you call me a luddite.... yes, I plan to buy an e-bike soon. And i'll just ride it on roads and motorized trails. What's wrong with that?
Because your a luddite... no seriously its a rediculous argument. Its like saying that scuba divers shouldnt be allowed in the ocean because they cant hold there breathe long enough, Or that all bikes need to weigh a certain weight because lighter bikes give rich people too much of an advvantage. Its all silly, class 1 ebikes go the same speed or less than a good mountian bike rider, therefore do absolutley no difference to the trail. The whole MOTORized argument was to keep MOTORcycles off the trail that were loud and destroyed the trails. That has all changed, People dont want ebikes on the road too becauswe they dont go fast enough to keep up with traffic, should we just outlqaw them all together beacause an OLD SYSTEM doesnt work. You clearly know nothing about ebikes or you would recognize that, and thats the problem, no actual prooof or reaononableness, no facts and people who know nothing about ebikes screaming MOTOR!!! lol
Very well said! Unselfish and objective. You said goodbye to a sport you loved and did not try to change all the regulations to justify continuing it just because your life was changing. Instead, you changed your attitude and transfered your interest into a different sport that is more fitting for you at this time in your life. Those of us who will continue outdoor sports throughout our lives will face such a momemnt someday. I hope we are humble enough by then to comply with regulations that maintain "order in the outdoors", rather than try to change them to fit around "our personal agenda".
well said, rational, objective and UNSELFISH. Our society is heading into a major state of narcisim and it shows in many of the comments. Everything revolves around the "ME", instead of what's revolving around what is right for the environment and respecting other people/user groups. There's a place for everything and everything is not meant to be in one place.
At 64, I've been mountain biking pretty much since the sport was invented. 23 seasons of motocross to boot. I ride an analog bike and an e-bike, but the argument that a pedal assist bike of any class is a motorcycle is rediculous. What in the world difference does it make if some sixty something year old is climbing a hill that he otherwise wouldn't be able to, or is climing at 5 mph instead of 3 mph? This whole thing is analogous to when snowboarding started. All the fear of snowboarders ruining the mountain skiing experience. I get crap from young punks even riding up a fire road, guys who've never raced a mountain bike in there life. People just need to get over it. It's mostly older people that still want to get out for long rides they couldn't otherwise do, which is great for their health and the health of the sport. I just don't understand what the fuss is all about.
BTW Class 1 ebikes are already "obsolete as you put it. Almost all class one ebikes are limited intentionally so they stop assisting the rider at 15-20mph, but all of them would be capable of going much faster. Class 1 bikes arent limited by Technology...LOL Again proving the ignorance of your argument. Also saying that people should be limited by age, financial, mental, and physica aspectsl is one of the most biased things I have ever heard its actually funny. Maybe you should go look up the ADA and see how that resonates. I guess we should just not give people jobs because they are handicapped right?!?!?!
Your method of argument where you belittle the other is baloney. I think you are probably associated in some way with e bike companies.
Answer one question: if all mtb trails are opened to motorized vehicles, who will be responsible when Motocross bikes show up and tear the shit out of everything? Who will be the gate keeper between a class 2 e bike and a 50cc Motocross bike?
I'm a 63yr. old MTB and road cyclist and I have no problem with ebikes. They allow me to still bike with my aging friends on the trails I like to ride at the speed I usually ride. Damage to the trails from ebikes is basically the same as any other MTB. What everyone seems to be the most worked-up about is the slippery slope argument. The electric motercross bike for instance is just as distructive to the trails as the the engine variety. This is what the motorized restrictions were meant to prevent. A possible solution might be setting a top-end on torque power output allowed. Obviously, generating tons of dust going up a steep hill is an indication you've crossed over to the motorcross bike usage.
I have two thoughts on this article. First, regarding the idea that motorized bikes are "cheating" vs. non motorized bikes. As a hiker, I could make the argument that mountain bikes are "cheating" because they use a device instead of their own two feet like I do. I don't subscribe to that theory, but if e-bikes are cheating, bikes are too. They allow people to get to the wild places faster with less effort than those of us who walk.
Secondly, perhaps we could come up with a system similar to the handicapped parking placard. If you're physically disabled your doc can give you a waiver to allow you to use the ebike. If you're able-bodied you have to toil and sweat like everyone else.
There's a clear demarcation point. If your bike has a motor it doesn't belong on trails designated for non motorized travel. Period. If you don't do this, you open the door for regular Motocross bikes on single track mtb trails. It's a classic slippery slope.
I have more faith in regulators than to think that by allowing a 250 watt pedal assist e bike it will somehow open the flood gates to gas powered motor cross bikes. I am 62 and recently bought my first class 1 e mtb. Like many riders my age, this modest amount of assist gives me the ability to enjoy trails I once was able to ride without assist. Arguing for a blanket approach by banning all motors is an oversimplification of the issue. There is group of users in my demographic that deserve a closer look.
Get over it. Lots of people who love to ride in the great outdoors are growing older now (me, I'm one of them). A motorized bike or trike is just what the doctor ordered to assist me when I'm out and about.
There is enough room for ALL OF US in the great outdoors, and trails. Like I eludded to earlier, get over yourselves.
Does anyone object to motorized carts in grocery stores? Baby Boomers need choices to get around independently and to keep active. Don’t close access to Nature to them. A little help from an ebike will get them out on trails having fun like everyelse. All bike riders will get old one day. Do you want to be forced to give up your joy when you have a knee or hip replacement?
being disabled and elderly I object to limiting the ebikes in any public park. We don’t Like to speed;we don’do wheelies or make donuts; we don’ race. We do vote.
Probably the same guy that is the gatekeeper between a soft tail and a 50cc Motocross bike. I have no skin in this game as I seldom mountain bike and have never e-biked. However, I haven't seen a single legitimate argument why e-bikes shouldn't be allowed where mountain bikes already exist - other than they marginally might increase traffic on the trail. I find it interesting that many of the "conservation" groups cited above are horse riding clubs. Horses are far more fouling and destructive to the trails than either form of bikes.
Of course the hikers and horse riders don't want to share the trails with bikes... and now emtbs. I don't blame them for trying to keep us out, but we are here, and we are riding eMTBs, the horse of the contemporary man. Because eMTBs are a logical choice for so many of us, there will be many, many more of us. It is ridiculous to suggest we can only ride on motorized trails, most of which the motorcycles have destroyed, at least in my area. I wont stand for it!
This is the most misunderstood sport I have ever witnessed, and also the most fun I have ever had on two wheels. No more trail damage than an old school mt. bike. Way less damage than a horse. But yes, horses do have history on their side. They would struggle be allowed on trails if they where newly introduced today. Emtbs do not stink up the trails. We are not loud. We are clearly not motorcycles. EMTBs do not fit into the current (motorized or not) measuring system. It maybe time to scrap that thinking. It no longer makes a differences. Why would you care if I get some assistance riding up the hills. I may not be superman... like you.
I'm not afraid of the "slippery slope" of electric motors. EMTBs should be allowed on most non-motorized trails where bikes are allowed. If you are like me, and you want to enjoy riding the trails until you die. Go buy an eMTB and ride it. Ride it everywhere you can and then some. Let you friends try it. Don't let the non-ebikers cheat you out of the good life. Ride to live, live to ride forever.
I dont work for an ebike company, lol.
If I was belittling I apologize, but the argument is baseless and actually offensive to a lot of people that handicapped people or elderly or anyone on the planet doesnt have a right to the national parks because of limitations. I actually can understand that hikers may want trails for hikers only, and bikes may want trails for bikes only, but you saying that ebikes can only be on motorized trails is an absoulute joke. You can see the difference between an ebike and a bike but cant see the difference between a gas powered motorcycle and and an ebike and lump them together. So a vehicle that only goes 20 mph and has to be peddled should have to share the road with quads and rails and motorcross bikes that can go 90mph? The problems with your arguments are facts and reasonableness. I can prove it all to you with facts but you will still be convinced you hate ebikes because you are unreasonable. But here goes-
A class 1 or 2 ebike is limited to 250 watts nominal power, you can look anywhere on the web and see that 750 watts = 1 horsepower. so at nominal watts an ebike is 0.3 HP and even at peak is probably less than 1hp.
There is no such thing as an 50cc "motorcross bike" in fact in most states 50ccs is a moped, and doesnt even need to be registered as a motorcycle. Motorcross bikes for kids start at 80ccs and go up to 650ccs if we took an average 250cc Motorcross bike ( and that would be considered small for lots of people) it produces about 25-30 Horsepower or about 100 times more power than an ebike.
In comparison a pro cyclist can produce about double what the ebike can produce or about 400-500 watts nominal and up to 1800-2000 watts peak or about 0.5 to 3 Horsepower. I guess we should keep them off the trails too?
Youve decided to lump a 250 watt electric motor in with a 500cc gas engine? The demarcation between them is a thousand times more "clear" than between emtb and mtb. No one is even worried about your complaint, even those who are on your side. Anyone could ride their motorcross bike on a trail now because as you said "there is no one to police them", but they would get caught because a super loud, giant motorcycle with no pedals is easy to spot and hear and see, and someone would complain. So no right minded motorcrosser would take that chance, and that would never change if you allowed ebikes on mtb trails. Motorized was a term they came up with long before ebikes so it no longer makes sense. Old laws for new technology will never make sense, because its not supposed to. Maybe we should use laws for the horse and buggy to police the cars we have today?
I am not interested in getting into the argument over ebikes versus non-motorized bikes. The bottom line is neither should be allowed on wilderness trails. I am 83 and can no longer hike as far or as fast as I used too. If the bikers are successful in getting wilderness open in National Parks and Forests all of us hikers will lose. For those who can't do what they used to because of age or disability why ruin it for younger people who enjoy hiking without the danger of getting hit.
https://peopleforbikes.org/our-work/e-bikes/ People For Bikes is partnering with the Bicycle Products Suppliers Assoc to promote eBikes. PFB is essentially a mouthpiece for the manufacturers and retailers.
I think it is smart to keep ebikes off single-track trails. Heck, I would ban mountain bikes from those trails!
Dual track...or wider...it is ridiculous to ban them. And it is ageist/ableist to do so. They are absolutely indistinguishable from regular bikes in that environment.
And I think that is the compromise position; if you allow bikes, you have to allow (class i or II) ebikes.
"Slippery Slope" is classified as a logical fallacy for a reason; it is never true. So please stop trying to pass it off as a legitimate concern.
It is perfectly possible to place power, speed and noise restrictions that would absolutely exclude anything remotely like a motorcycle. Claiming other wise is gas lighting. Please stop that too.
We need to find a way to accommodate more than just one group of people, as that is the reason the National Parks were created in the first place.
JUST SAY NO! There is no law requiring hikers or horsemen to move aside and let mechanized vehicles pass on trails. Don’t like the idea of e-bikes in the backcountry? Then stand your ground and refuse to allow e-bike riders to pass you on the trail. What can they do? Passive resistance to e-bikes is perhaps the most effective means of demonstration.
So your going to stone wall older folks and those with disabilities ... That will just lead to unneeded conflict and hostility with no outcome. There are laws against that, Disturbing the Peace and disorderly conduct.
This comment was edited to remove gratuitous language.--Ed.
Low speed peddle assist bikes (Class 1) are not motorized vehicles as they are not “self propelled”. Look up the dictionary definition of a motorized vehicle - being self propelled is the key. The small motor in a low speed peddle assist bike instead simply boosts your leg power allowing older people to bike up hills that would otherwise prevent them from using a bike and enjoying our collective biking trails. If you don’t peddle, you get no boost. The boost is limited to speeds under 20 mph. Low speed peddle assist bikes go no faster than a traditional bike, except uphill where older riders can now keep up with fit 20 somethings. I never use the boost on flat ground unless there is a headwind and downhill you’re not peddling so there is no boost. A low speed peddle bike is no more motorized then those traditional bike that has a motorized shifter.
Low speed peddle assist bikes should be allowed anywhere traditional bikes are allowed. Limiting them is not protecting the environment as they do no more harm than a traditional bike - restricting them is an effort to keep people out of our collective wilderness that we all need to enjoy, protect and appreciate. Older people that can afford peddle assist bikes are typically those that contribute to Land Trusts and other organizations that expand and protect our wilderness areas. Environmental groups should be endorsing low speed peddle assist bikes as a clean and environmentally friendly way to visit the wilderness. Let’s put our efforts and monies into expanding our wilderness areas rather than trying to limit access to us older riders on low speed peddle assist bikes.
This is just an attempt to discriminate against eBikers. Regular bikers are just upset they may see more people using eBikes in the same places they use regular bikes. This is just an attempt to create an argument where there shouldn't be one. Current eBikes should be classified EXACTLY the same as regular bikes. The whole subject is dumb. When eBikes are so noisy they're all you can hear in the mountains or when they're so powerful they rip the ground apart like modern gasoline motorcycles currently do then you have something to bi*** about. Right now, there's absolutely NO DIFFERENCE so shut up and share the roads, trails and paths regular bikes ride on. Take up a new sport if you can't keep your emotions in check babies...
I've never run into another ebiker on the trails or at the beach in Connecticu.
My first reaction to emtb's was, no way, that's for lazy or old or old laxy people. Then I became older and developed a heart condition that kept me off my beloved bike for a period of time. During that time I became less fit and my heart was damaged, so now I see the ebike in a entirely different way. I demo'ed one, purchased it and I'm loving life! I can exercise again on a bicycle and even keep up on a group ride. All of the arguments against emtb's don't hold water. Mine has wider tires than my old hardtail, the motor is only heard by me. I'm not flying by my mates on uphills, on downhills I'm not using the motor. My wide tires are easier on the trail. I just blend in. The ebike haters are motivated by either ignorance, pride, or maybe they just love to hate, (is that possible?). But look guys you are not alone, the TdF didn't allow derailleurs years after they were commonly used. There was a time that women couldn't vote, people of color couldn't use whites only bathrooms. Your prejudice is noted and is not uncommon, but in the end the silliness of your argument will be seen for what it is. I'm certain ebikes are here to stay and you'll be seeing families, old, young, and every other type person riding them. If that's a problem stay off the trails.
So only young fit people can walk on your path if you are old have a bad foot or leg sorry you can't use this path
Its funny years ago MTB'rs were fighting the same battle against hikers to gain access to hiking trails, how short memory some of these people have as now they are trying to limit the access of emtb's. Reading through the comments which are predominantly pro ebike. Now as far as comparing class 1 ebikes to motocross type bikes is still and uneducated on ebikes. Being a seasoned rider I can achieve higher speeds on my mtb as opposed to an e bike. Any one try pedaling an e bike once the assists cuts off? Anyway emtb bikes are here to stay and with the different classifications set forts by states it just a matter of time but ebikes are hee and here to stay. Ebike sales are through the roof more and more people are changing their attitude. I'm not sure who has the right to tell someone they cant ride somewhere as the get older or have health issues and need a little help to enjoy their quality of like. There are still people with antiquated and uneducated beliefs about ebikes but rest assured I still will say hi and be polite when I see you on the trails as it's just a matter of time for access.
A lot of ignorance in this proposal.
Dictionary's Definition of Motorized: with a MOTOR to operate or propel; with MOTOR transportation. I observe a hiker, horse, mtn bike as being self propelled- having no electricity, no motor. It's simple and rational, so let's not make a mountain out of a mole hill by overlooking facts and definitions. Rules are implemented to protect user groups from each other. E-bikers can find tread on motorized trails/FS roads/ATV-motorcycle parks and leave self-propelling trails to those users who have fought years to have their feet/hooves on their designated terrain and who do volunteer work to protect that terrain. I feel I have room to say all this. I am a mtn biker and hiker and horseman and skier and trail runner and hunter and ATV rider of 38 years and recently started e-biking and enjoy it. I comply with the regs that are there to protect each group from negative encounters with one another, to protect wildlife wintering grounds and spring wildlife birthing grounds, to protect resources. It sucks to get old and see everyone arguing over what THEY want, rather than what's best for nature and peoples safety/enjoyment. There's a place for each user group but it cannot be in every park, every trail, every terrain feature, every season of the year. E- bike with motor/throttle causes erosion and has option for excessive speed over other users, therefore having conflicts (just like mtn bikes)- I've observed it. That's why Nat Parks and other trail managers have rules against them. I've had to adapt my hobbies to changing times. I use my mtn bike where it is allowed and my e-bike where it is allowed, including ATV/motorized trails. I hike in areas that don't allow mtn bikes. I mtn bike sharing trails with ATVers and I ATV on trails open to all users. You just need to learn to play well with others. Leave the narcissism at home, there’s no place for it in nature. It's not the 1970-80's anymore. You can't do almost everything almost everywhere. The outdoor recreation population has grown tremendously and with too many conflicts the rules are increasing. E-bikers need to accept that they have an electric motor on their bike and now need to own up to it and own up to the regulations that an e-bike fits into: it’s a motorized vehicle (with pedal power option). I see most people using the throttle/motor when riding their e-bikes on trails and are seldom pedaling. That’s why they bought it, right? Guess I’ll go put pedals on my ATV so I can ride it on non-motorized trails or promise the park service that I won’t use the motor while on the trail….. Yea, right. If you did not research about trail access prior to making the big purchase (quite a few people I’ve met have made this mistake) then accept this as your mistake. I don’t’ feel it’s right of you to expect the regulations ( that are already in place to protect users and lands) to change just because you have a toy that is not accepted on the trails where you expected it to be accepted. You purchased a motorized vehicle and you can use it as a motorized vehicle in motorized areas. IT’S SIMPLE, RATIONAL and FAIR to the user groups already in existence.
I've been riding a Emtb for a few months now...my speeds are no faster than my non-electric bike. Europe allows them, they encourage them. I maybe a better able to maintain a slightly faster pace up hills, but that's it. As far as trial damage by e bike's rear tire never brakes loose or spins. I believe it may cause less damage than a regular bike. I'm 62 and love riding it. Even with an e bike I"m still getting pased by the same number of non-e bike riders.
just want access ada compliant as some have a need for asstiance at times or all the time. lucky you dont
E- bikes are motorized, it has a motor. It is touted as a means for older people to access the back country enjoy the outdoors. I am a senoir and I work hard to stay fit enough to access that back country and when I do it never tastes sweeter. Who do I see on e-bikes? The exception is the older person. Routinely I see people 20 years my junior. Their bikes have speeds described as Turbo assist and they FLY up hill. User confict is probably the biggest issue for trail users but the effort and sweat equity to access back country acted as a filter to maintain sanity. Yesterday I finally made to a Tahoe mtn I have been working towards. Wow what a sense of accomplishment. Quiet serene majestic but most notable I was the only one there. Then from behind me a gal, no helmet, no water, flip flops. What!!!!! On an e-bike. So much for any sense of a filter, age appropriateness or physical limitation. The e-bike is only going to get faster more powerful go longer and become cheaper. No one stands at a trail head to check what class or whatever. People will do what they normally do and take it to the limit. Yes change will happen. Young people will gravitate to it as they are right now. Age and physical appropriateness is a dream. Tahoe trails already get hammered with crowds. E-bikes will accelerate the impact as the old methods of having a filter to temper the masses is removed. Having to hike a bike or get exhausted will no longer be the filter to keep sanity alive it once was. It will become open season for all and a can of worms will be open.
Make way for e-bikes - its inevitable. I remeber this same nonsense when mtb's first hit trails in RI, all of the hikers went nuts. Trails are just fine, people are fine, world is still spinning. Time for the purists to get over it. Its already done.
To the rest of us you have to realize; your ebike (no matter the class) is a motorized vehicle:Deal with that fundamental reality. And motorized vehicles on walking trails are noxious to most of us.
As a walker and hiker in my mid-60s Ive racked up many miles in many national and state parks, BLM lands, and wilderness areas. I say keep the walking and singletrack BICYCLE trails as they are, and keep ALL motorized vehicles where they can safely keep from running down people out to enjoy nature in peace. That means paved and gravel roads, fire roads and specifically marked multi-use trails.
This discussion is hilarious and I love reading uneducated comments. Class 1 ebikes are no different than any downhill MTB. Go ride one and then lets talk about how technology has improved accessbility for those who struggle to do certain activities. Those of you who think somehow this will degrade your ability to access trails, I promise the sky isnt falling.
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