Confusion on trail rules?

[E biker]

The debate of e-bikes being restricted has been going on forever. I have one simple question....

Has any e-biker reading this post ever been stopped or restricted by law enforcement
while riding safely and at an appropriate speed on a trail marked 'No motor vehicles' etc?

I'm not talking about "I have a friend who knows someone who said they saw someone that......".
I'm talking about you ! Have you ever been stopped ?

I can wait...

My guess is, in the real world this subject is almost irrelevant, but makes for great blog posts.

John

That's a good point,but,if local trails would simply post [ebicycles are allowed speed limit 15] it would solve some confusion issues.
I have a feeling the advice we were given was confusing information.
As I posted ,the rep. at the parks department emailed and was very welcoming and supportive of electric bikes, in fact we tried the trail and saw two separate ebicycles using the trail.
My post was just so other people in the future would not have trouble.
This was a very nice trail,and they are still adding to it.
Personally, we have not yet been contacted by a police or representative officer on any trail,we like most are just out to enjoy the USA.

 

[AHicks]

Has any e-biker reading this post ever been stopped or restricted by law enforcement
while riding safely and at an appropriate speed on a trail marked 'No motor vehicles' etc?

Not me or anyone I know.

It won't be long though, until somebody brings up the potential for a rat's nest in the case of an accident.

 

[tomjasz]

A Bafang shop mechanic in Benicia is working with a group to include eBike riders that qualify to ride under ADA rules. Not a win for main stream riders but for those less than able an important possibility.

 

[drodg]

The debate of e-bikes being restricted has been going on forever. I have one simple question....

Has any e-biker reading this post ever been stopped or restricted by law enforcement
while riding safely and at an appropriate speed on a trail marked 'No motor vehicles' etc?

I'm not talking about "I have a friend who knows someone who said they saw someone that......".
I'm talking about you ! Have you ever been stopped ?

I can wait...

My guess is, in the real world this subject is almost irrelevant, but makes for great blog posts.

John

Good point. My answer would be no

 

[E biker]

A Bafang shop mechanic in Benicia is working with a group to include eBike riders that qualify to ride under ADA rules. Not a win for main stream riders but for those less than able an important possibility.

 

[E biker]

That would be nice for the wife ,as she was in a very bad auto accident and is not able to ride the regular bike.
But I needed mine to keep up with her!!

 

[rich c]

A Bafang shop mechanic in Benicia is working with a group to include eBike riders that qualify to ride under ADA rules. Not a win for main stream riders but for those less than able an important possibility.

That gets brought up pretty often. I'm always curious how someone physically/medically restricted can balance on 2 wheels? We seniors are the highest demographic for bicycle accidents and injuries, and those are the ones not physically or medically restricted. I'm guessing that trail sign might have had something to do with little stand on scooters

 

[tomjasz]

And that’s why my new bike is a trike. BUT I do have days, not many, but days my two wheels are doable. Trike for winter and shaky days.

 

[E biker]

I had to get rid of my mopad, to mutch speed for me.

 

[tomjasz]

I'm always curious how someone physically/medically restricted can balance on 2 wheels?

That kinda stuck in my craw. Apparently you’re blessed with good health. With all my issues I had good balance. But 3or 4 meds are labeled can make you dizzy. Some days are great. Others are days to avoid 2 wheels. I’m hoping you don’t have to have your curiosity turn to dealing with losing the ability to ride. Live and let live.

 

[John from Connecticut]

That kinda stuck in my craw. Apparently you’re blessed with good health. With all my issues I had good balance. But 3or 4 meds are labeled can make you dizzy. Some days are great. Others are days to avoid 2 wheels. I’m hoping you don’t have to have your curiosity turn to dealing with losing the ability to ride. Live and let live.

I take the question from Rich C at face value, not a slam or dig at some on who is dealing with a physical or mental challenge. Case in point.
I ride rail to trails on a Trek Powerfly7 e-mtb. 29" wheels. It's a 'big' bike. I'm 75 years old with no physical or mental issues. Never crashed,
but have gone over twice barely moving...Both times my head hit the trail and pavement. My helmet saved me from a trip to the hospital.

If I had any sort of physical or mental impairment in the same set of circumstances I would have been very seriously hurt. I went over
primarily because my reflexes / muscles aren't what they used to be....Come to think of it, I guess that is a level of physical impairment ?

John

 

[AHicks]

I take the question from Rich C at face value, not a slam or dig at some on who is dealing with a physical or mental challenge. Case in point.
I ride rail to trails on a Trek Powerfly7 e-mtb. 29" wheels. It's a 'big' bike. I'm 75 years old with no physical or mental issues. Never crashed,
but have gone over twice barely moving...Both times my head hit the trail and pavement. My helmet saved me from a trip to the hospital.

If I had any sort of physical or mental impairment in the same set of circumstances I would have been very seriously hurt. I went over
primarily because my reflexes / muscles aren't what they used to be....Come to think of it, I guess that is a level of physical impairment ?

John

I think that's a reasonable thought. For instance, in my mid 60's, I became concerned with my ability to react in time to some dumb a$$ turning in front of me while driving a large motorcycle. Happens all the time/WAY to frequently. Cycle was parked for a year while I stewed over the thought, then I decided it was time for somebody else to take care of it and sold it. Lifetime riding passion then transferred to e-bikes! I'll never ride another motorcycle. No physical reason would prevent that, I have a lifetime worth of experience, but deep down, I think there's little doubt this 71 year old body is slowing down. I don't need a serious crash to tell me/prove that.... -Al

 

[Catalyzt]

That kinda stuck in my craw. Apparently you’re blessed with good health. With all my issues I had good balance. But 3or 4 meds are labeled can make you dizzy. Some days are great. Others are days to avoid 2 wheels. I’m hoping you don’t have to have your curiosity turn to dealing with losing the ability to ride. Live and let live.

There are probably some disabilities where it's an issue-- if you lacked insight into your condition, for example. I do not think this is an issue for most people over 60-- and it sounds like most here are keenly aware of their limits. (Or are doing a very good job of fooling us!)

But I remember when my mom had Parkinson's -- which was accompanied by Lewy Body dementia -- she had no problem knowing when to stop riding, though she worked for about eight months longer than she should have.

I remember the day she called me and said she'd had a bad stop on a ride home from work-- minor balance issue, scraped her leg against a parked car. She knew she was done, but then again, she knew when to stop driving, too, and some people don't. I have an intuitive feeling that people are more sensible about giving up biking than they are about driving, though I have no data to back that up.

I had a 10 year period where I literally might need a cane on Monday but could be skiing black diamonds on Thursday, or vice versa.

I have days now when I can't ride, either. I'm in a weird phase where I might even consider skiing again next season... or I might go out on my body board this summer and decide, "That's it, I'm done" (for the board and skis.)

My balance and reflexes are still really good. I can still play guitar (rhythm, punk rock) very fast (on a good day.) When I drive, I always go crazy because it seems like everyone else takes forever to react to everything from traffic lights to other hazards. But what will stop me first, on the bike, is problems with my shoulders and hands. When it doesn't feel right, I don't go out. Fortunately, that's not too often. (Yet.)

 

[Ken M]

That gets brought up pretty often. I'm always curious how someone physically/medically restricted can balance on 2 wheels? We seniors are the highest demographic for bicycle accidents and injuries, and those are the ones not physically or medically restricted. I'm guessing that trail sign might have had something to do with little stand on scooters

Why is it that so many think they should decide if someone with a disability should be allowed to ride an ebike? Some may just have knee issue so they can't put a lot of power into the cranks and need a throttle. So why is it a problem that a 750W 20MPH throttle-assist ebike can ride where a 750W 20MPH Peddle-assist ebike can be ridden? There is not a single study ever done that indicates any difference in trail damage as claimed by some trail managers and PFBs so we should stop drinking that koolaid. There is only one reason that there is a bias against throttles and it's because some morons view them as close to be electric motorcycles but how the assist level provided by ebikes is controlled does not change their true performance.

 

[chunk]

It is really strange that here in Los Angeles-- at least so far-- there has been no friction and no problems. Ebikes can go anywhere a bicycle can, and can totally ignore the old "No motor vehicles" signs (which probably date to the 1970s.)

This is in a city where people get shot for cutting people off in their cars! There are also some spots-- like the roads to the Hollywood sign-- that get shut down periodically due to vehicle congestion. Both rangers and traffic control have just waved me right on through.

I was just thinking that too. In highly regulated California, I've never been bothered by anyone for riding anywhere I choose. And it doesn't hurt that it's been in the low 80's F all week. I've gotten in a couple of good rides so far this week. I rode past the local petrol station and was glad I was e biking, $6.22 / gallon.

 

[RandallS]

If ever pulled over, I am going to say that I identify as a Cyclist.
Kind of like this guy, who may have gone too far.

 

[E biker]

At least he's wearing a helmet

 

[goducks21]

We bought some ebikes last Oct or so and finally got out to some camping spots we go to this last week. I was reading about a hike/bike trail out near Biggs Junction that according to one blogger was not ebike friendly. IOW's not allowed. Well being March and very few people out like there would be in the summer we decided to go and give it a shot. We we arrived and checked out the signage there was nothing about NO ebikes. Only a state sign that said Authorized Vehicle Only that was there because it's basically a 13 mile out and back road that parallels the river. and the roads used for the few restrooms scattered along the 13 miles of gravel road. I highly doubt it meant that ATV's or such weren't allowed. There's a gate that was closed a short distance up the gravel road and a trail that went around it. Right after that was a bike repair station. We road it twice over two days and no one said a thing. I have to wonder how many bloggers that hate ebikes just say that certain trials are not ebike friendly?
We also camped one night at our favorite riding spot in the mtns. We got the bikes out for a short ride over some of the trails we ride. Yes there were the BLM issued 20 year old (Pre Ebike) signs stating no motor vehicle allowed. But we road anyways.
Problem with Oregon is that Oregon says ebikes are bikes and no ins or reg is needed. But the BLM says not so fast and classifies ebikes as motor vehicles. Really frustrating.
I'm 69 and the wifes 65. We don't ride like 20 year olds. We've decided that we're riding where we want unless there's clear signage that says NO ebikes allowed. We figure that we'll ride anywhere and as responsible riders we can maybe set a good example. I suppose ignoring BLM's rules is a bad example but IMO it's stupid what BLM's doing.
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