Word games, word play. Everybody here knows an Ebike is a pedal assisted bicycle, whether it has a throttle or not; as defined by federal laws and standards set to define the 3 classes of ebikes.
I think "pedal assisted" is not a part of ebike classes description.
Class 1- PAS only, max 20 mph
Class 2 - has a throttle, max 20 mph.
There is no requirement for Class 2 to have PAS - only to have pedals - and some "real" Class 2 don't have PAS. One might may call such a throttle-only ebike "pedal-assisted", 'cause you can pedal while throttling - not that it would make much difference other than stretching your legs.
To ban Class 2 on mixed-use trails would make some sense though it would make more sense yet to ban those "fake Class 2" that look like mopeds and have (unusable) pedals, but they gravitate more towards streets than trails, they are commuters.
Class 3 - no throttle, max 28 mph. Again, on trails with pedestrians, distracted moms with strollers and similarly distracted dog walkers with uncontrollable pets - there is no way to tell when it'll suddenly stop or turn backwards or run in any direction, - would make sense to ban Class 3 too. Or maybe dog walkers should be banned to dog parks, I don't know.
Having been ridden an "acoustic" bike for years, while ebikes were already encroaching the space, I can tell that it was sometimes stressful to be around ebikes. Their average speed is faster, they don't care about slight uphill or "hump" on the bridge and often want to pass you on a narrow path. Roadies on acoustic bikes usually wanted to pass me too
, but recreational types are more relaxed, they don't mind taking a rest while dragging slowly behind until the path becomes wider. Pedestrians likely have same perception - bikes are fast (yes, acoustic ones too) - and thus are causing stress. This world is getting too crowded, seems to me.
Rant off.
