Ebikes prohibited on ferries

[legsofbeer]

Where I live (san francisco) electric bikes are not permitted on ferries. I don't know the reason for this, unless it's weight? On some ferries one has to carry one's bike up and down a flight of stairs. Electric scooters are permitted. EBikes are permitted on trains, light rail, BART, and busses too if they'll fit in the rack on the front. I don't think it's concern about the battery cooking off, because they're OK on BART with its long under-bay ride. I also wonder if I could get away with removing the battery and carrying it in a backpack.

Anyone know of other locales prohibiting ebikes on ferries?

 

[BlackHand]

Ebikes ARE allowed on Washington State Ferries, although if you're towing a canoe or kayak with your bike you have to pay the motorcycle rate!

Ebikes are NOT allowed on the Bremerton Fast Ferry operated by Kitsap Transit. They also can't accommodate bikes with fenders, disc brakes, or tires wider than 2.25" thanks to the design of the bike rack on the vessel.

Q: Can I bring an electric bicycle aboard?
A: No, electric bicycles are not permitted on the Rich Passage 1 because they introduce uncertainty to the weight ratios within which the vessel needs to operate.

 

[legsofbeer]

because they introduce uncertainty to the weight ratios within which the vessel needs to operate.

This is arrant nonsense.

 

[Man Without Shadow]

It's not an electric bike without electricity...

 

[BlackHand]

This is arrant nonsense.

Probably...then again, I'm not an engineer, or a sailor, or with the Coast Guard. This is a fairly small catamaran built with composite materials that was designed in 2009 to be quick with minimal wake.

Who knows, maybe the extra 400 or so pounds at the stern if heavy ebikes replaced std road bikes would change the boat's angle in the water just enough to make it possible for the boat's wake to exceed what the Coast Guard has authorized.

 

[Dallant]

Maybe they consider them a fire hazard which, while possible, is also quite possible with cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

 

[Ebiker33]

This makes no sense, the average bike weighs 30-40 pounds, Ebikes bring that up to an average of 60-75 lbs.
So double the weight, but then so are people double the weight you could have a dozen extra 250 lbs people come on the ferry or even 300 lbs, when you consider the obesity levels in America.
And what about vehicles some SUV the same size can weigh a 1000 lbs more than a similar vehicle in size. The weight issue for Ebikes seems bogus to me.

 

[goldconch]

You know, I remember when skiers were passionately outspoken about how snowboarders were going to wreck the mountains and were to be barred from the chairlifts, since all the lines would be cut by these savage rogues, and we'd all be smoking pot. Look at us now.

 

[GypsyTreker]

I so remember that era. Showing up in Park City with my Burton and having some employee red faced and screaming at me. It was insane. But then again, do humans ever deal with new stuff well? A large group never does, that's for sure. Now it's those wild and crazy downhill MTB'ers against those ex wild and crazy, but now ageing mtb'ers who have switched to eBikes. It would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic.

 

[reed scott]

Regulators just gotta regulate. Given the prevalent-across-the-board pledged love of electric vehicles something like this should never happen. Ebikes should be getting preferential treatment, not prejudicial discrimination. Perhaps some are thinking about just where that electric power actually comes from. We need atomic fusion power plants and we need them yesterday. Or we need millions of acres of solar collectors and the mechanical means of storing the power. Like elevated water reservoirs and hydro electric turbines. There's a small island somewhere where they power the whole place that way. Can't remember where. They pump the water up hill when the sun shines and then use the down-hill with the turbines during the night. They have to have diesel powered generators for backup on multiple cloudy days though.

 

[rich c]

That dive boat fire In Southern California that killed so many was likely caused by batteries and chargers. The ferry’s issue could easily be a maritime fire issue.

 

[legsofbeer]

The ferry’s issue could easily be a maritime fire issue.

Yet, as I stated in the first post, they permit electric scooters. And laptops are ubiquitous.

 

[DaveMatthews]

I'm unaware of any restrictions on B.C. ferries. Bicycles are typically sent to the front of the main deck along with motorcycles and are first off.

 

[Dallant]

I'm unaware of any restrictions on B.C. ferries. Bicycles are typically sent to the front of the main deck along with motorcycles and are first off.

Maybe that way they can throw them off quicker if they catch fire!

 

[Ready]

Because.. San Francisco. Always more rules.

 

[FezUSA]

Ferry to Catalina Island is the same, no electric bikes with batteries. There's a rental shop on the island that has the folding Rad's, didn't think to ask how they arrive. It is related to (perceived?) combustion issues.

 

[ki11a]

I am guessing it is both a weight and fire hazard.

 

[goldconch]

It may well be a restriction at your chosen destination if you are ferrying to one of the surrounding islands that are either State or National Park Areas. Each have different attitudes on ebikes/regular bikes/pets, and each with internal bureaucracy moving at different speeds. Even the ebike rental companies could be operating illegally:

I had tons of fun riding an e-bike in a national park. I also broke the law. Oops

I had tons of fun riding an e-bike in a national park. I also broke the law. Oops

As national and state parks change e-bike rules, an e-biker needs to ask a lot of questions and ride with care.

www.latimes.com

Golden Gate National Recreation Area Announces Addition of Electric Bike Rules to Park Compendium

Golden Gate National Recreation Area Announces Addition of Electric Bike Rules to Park Compendium - Golden Gate National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

 

[ChezCheese:)]

On the foot ferry between Seattle and Kingston not even acoustic bikes are allowed: limited space. But otherwise on all regular Washington State Ferries, bikes and ebikes are welcomed.

 

[Riverman]

Four of us took this little ferry over to Illinois the other day. They don't refuse anyone. Years ago I could cross over and back for $2.00. Back then I would wait till they had a car to take over to make it worthwhile for them. Now its $10.00 a round trip for each bike. They like it when a large group of bike riders or motorcycles crosses.