[EN]abling Walk Mode for 2019 Trek bikes

[BikeMike]

• In Colorado, your local government has the final say about eBike walk mode. For example, in my county (Jefferson), walk mode is legal, as I understand it.
  • https://www.jeffco.us/3618/e-bikes
• In the town of Breckenridge, eBikes are entirely illegal. Walk mode is irrelevant.

My guess is if your bike walk mode is diabled, your JEfferson County LBS can now enable walk mode for you.

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You can pick up the conversation from here: #95:

... You may have helped me out. I complained loudly to the dealer today. I did mention your case with Walk Mode.

More importantly, i beat him over the head. I told him he probably misunderstands Trek's policy. That is:

• The motors must be imported with walk mode disabled, due to federal law.
• Local dealers may use the diagnostics software to enable walk mode, if it conforms to state law.

I now know he does not understand CO law. CO Law gives the local government final say. In my County, they are perfectly legal. Maybe I should bail on this shop?

https://www.jeffco.us/3618/e-bikes

I do not think they want to work for my business. I think they rely on what the Trek rep says. If The Trek rep is mistaken, then the shop is lazy for not double checking. The law changed 18 months ago, which is too long ago to still be in dark.

Something very wrong, that makes me very apprehensive. However you look at it, the LBS is not going to bat for me. I cannot trust them to fight for me over warranty issues.

This experience also brings us the question of service and distribution. Both of which are poor. I told them the current situation is unacceptable. They probably get away with enough due to ignorance or inexperience that they are willing to gamble because the profit is so high. But they took their chances and lost. A big crap shoot.

 

[BikeMike]

I can guarantee you that connecting with a reponsive bike shop will resolve the issue in a matter of hours. They just need direction and encouragement. Otherwise, the issue will be dragged out for at least a week.

 

[DaveMatthews]

I'm an ebike rookie, but I am astonished that there is a controversy regarding walk mode.
What pray tell is the negative?

 

[BikeMike]

I'm an ebike rookie, but I am astonished that there is a controversy regarding walk mode.
What pray tell is the negative?

Really, who comes up with these laws? The three stooges?

 

[DaveMatthews]

Really, who comes up with these laws? The three stooges?

I fail to understand any and all negatives regarding ebikes. I bought a sport type quadcopter 2 years ago. Now in Canada the laws are so restrictive that I can't fly it anywhere near me.
This is similar BS.
The fear of idiots that ruin everything for responsible riders/users.
Can anyone tell me why walk mode is a threat?

 

[BikeMike]

I fail to understand any and all negatives regarding ebikes. I bought a sport type quadcopter 2 years ago. Now in Canada the laws are so restrictive that I can't fly it anywhere near me.
This is similar BS.
The fear of idiots that ruin everything for responsible riders/users.
Can anyone tell me why walk mode is a threat?

Honestly, i would love to sit down and talk with that person over a meal. American Prohibition is a similar situation. I think it is basic human nature. Someone feels threatened. Their reactions are irrational.

Sometimes, it can be close friends, who you are very fond of. I used to windsurf in Santa Cruz, CA. When kiteboarding came along, my closest windsurfing buddies ostracized me for even considering kiteboarding. Same thing with mountain biking or snowboarding. God only knows. And i am not sure God exists.

But if you really want the truth, its here:

https://electricbikereview.com/foru...and-bicycle-users-in-the-united-states.24600/

 

[Don12]

Hello,
I bought the Trek CrossRip+ early this year (2018) and walk mode was enabled when I received it. I did not ask the Trek LBS dealer to enable walk mode it was just available to me out of the box. I can't say if it is enabled by default or if the Trek dealer enabled it, but because of this particular Trek dealer's inexperience with Ebikes I would guess, at that point in time it was enabled by default. One more thing, I'm guessing I might have used it no more than a dozen times and I ride 5 or 6 days a week.

 

[BikeMike]

Hello,
I bought the Trek CrossRip+ early this year (2018) and walk mode was enabled when I received it. I did not ask the Trek LBS dealer to enable walk mode it was just available to me out of the box. I can't say if it is enabled by default or if the Trek dealer enabled it, but because of this particular Trek dealer's inexperience with Ebikes I would guess, at that point in time it was enabled by default. One more thing, I'm guessing I might have used it no more than a dozen times and I ride 5 or 6 days a week.

I have a long-standing relationship with a LBS that is now on the other side of Denver, because I moved. I really like this bike shop. I just learned yesterday that they even offer a mobile bike repair service. So, they are now a viable option for me. I sold my car because i put three times the mileage on my bikes, than i did my car. I am buying an eBike as a foul-weather and cargo bike.

My average speed through the hills in my area is 18mph. Red Rocks Amphitheater is a prominent landmark in our area. Assistance is of benefit to me for cargo weight, wind and time constraints. Otherwise, an eBike is a does not add much value.

The bike shop actually tested the whole walk mode procedure on an eBike from the store showroom. They had to use the diagnostics software to enable walk mode, because walk mode was disabled. By default, walk mode is disabled under federal import law. Trek allows the LBS to enable walk mode, if it conforms to local law.

I cross a six lane, major artery road every day. The artery feeds into the C470 highway, just a quarter of a mile away.

Walmart is located at the intersection. I am intimidated by that intersection, despite the fact that i cross it every day. Similar to this street and intersection at C470.

Imagine how difficult it will be for me to push 100 pounds of bike and food across those timed cross walk lights. The experience is stressful when i ride a 20 pound bike across the street. I must push the bike across the street. I dare not ride a 100 pound bike across the street.

 

[BikeMike]

Honestly, i would love to sit down and talk with that person over a meal. American Prohibition is a similar situation. I think it is basic human nature. Someone feels threatened. Their reactions are irrational.

Sometimes, it can be close friends, who you are very fond of. I used to windsurf in Santa Cruz, CA. When kiteboarding came along, my closest windsurfing buddies ostracized me for even considering kiteboarding. Same thing with mountain biking or snowboarding. God only knows. And i am not sure God exists.

But if you really want the truth, its here:

https://electricbikereview.com/foru...and-bicycle-users-in-the-united-states.24600/

Actually, there is history about the issue that brings context and makes sense. Otherwise, the laws are dumbfounding. The rock band, The Who, brought a whole subculture

to the world's attention in the album and movie Quadrophenia, based on these mopeds. The rock star, Sting, played the lead role in the movie. Honda marketed this motorcycle as a moped to under age teenagers.

Who knows, perhaps eBikes become a similar subculture to the current young generation? I certainly hope so.


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Honda_SS50.JPG

https://www.bmf.co.uk/news/show/sports-mopeds-a-70s-phenomenon

 

[Don12]

I have a long-standing relationship with a LBS that is now on the other side of Denver, because I moved. I really like this bike shop. I just learned yesterday that they even offer a mobile bike repair service. So, they are now a viable option for me. I sold my car because i put three times the mileage on my bikes, than i did my car. I am buying an eBike as a foul-weather and cargo bike.

My average speed through the hills in my area is 18mph. Red Rocks Amphitheater is a prominent landmark in our area. Assistance is of benefit to me for cargo weight, wind and time constraints. Otherwise, an eBike is a does not add much value.

The bike shop actually tested the whole walk mode procedure on an eBike from the store showroom. They had to use the diagnostics software to enable walk mode, because walk mode was disabled. By default, walk mode is disabled under federal import law. Trek allows the LBS to enable walk mode, if it conforms to local law.

I cross a six lane, major artery road every day. The artery feeds into the C470 highway, just a quarter of a mile away.

Walmart is located at the intersection. I am intimidated by that intersection, despite the fact that i cross it every day. Similar to this street and intersection at C470.

Imagine how difficult it will be for me to push 100 pounds of bike and food across those timed cross walk lights. The experience is stressful when i ride a 20 pound bike across the street. I must push the bike across the street. I dare not ride a 100 pound bike across the street.

Hi BikeMike,
I think if I were riding your route I would want Walk Mode enable also. Holy Moly that is some crossing!

 

[BikeMike]

Hi BikeMike,
I think if I were riding your route I would want Walk Mode enable also. Holy Moly that is some crossing!

It's scary. I get cut off a lot too. It takes guts to cross that street on a bike.

The two sides of the street are different neighborhoods.

People get very frustrated waiting so long. One day i was just standing there. Some stranger had been blocked for a long time. He screamed at me " you're a vehicle like anybody else" and bolted across the street.

Actually, he was wrong. I was a pedestrian because i was not riding. You forfeit your pedestrian rights when you ride. When you are on your feet, you are a pedestrian.

 

[Camac]

I find the 'walk' mode is only useful going up a steep hill where you are walking up steps and the bike is running up the track besides the steps. Walk mode is only 4kmph and I can walk pushing the bike a lot faster than that.

 

[BikeMike]

I find the 'walk' mode is only useful going up a steep hill where you are walking up steps and the bike is running up the track besides the steps. Walk mode is only 4kmph and I can walk pushing the bike a lot faster than that.

I live on the second floor of a condo. 19 steps to climb.

Would building a mini ramp be helpful? I have an attached garage, where i can leave the bike most of the year. Just when i do not plan to use it for an extended period, i would like to bring it upstairs for safety.

 

[john peck]

I wrote off Breckenridge when they put an end to Ullr Dag. Aspen Ski Corps. has no soul. I was there the night the Hoosier Pass Cafe
closed forever.