Feeling squeezed out from buying a etrail bicycle

[E biker]

Most places that have trails don't allow e bicycles, just found out the trail around Harty Dam the dragon trail don't allow them.

 

[Tom@WashDC]

Most places that have trails don't allow e bicycles, just found out the trail around Harty Dam the dragon trail don't allow them.

It's only a $100 fine, and up to 90 days in jail. I'll bet first offenders don't get jail time.
Just Do It! - Nike

 

[E biker]

I have seen ebicycles coming off trail, I just don't like looking over my shoulder, and I like to follow rules, why not police the trail and fine the riders abusing it.

 

[PCeBiker]

I've done it.
I'm a hardened criminal.

I just popped it right over the fence.

 

[E biker]

Nice bicycle, the sigh dosen't have a picture of a bicycle.

 

[J.R.]

The trails are maintained by volunteers:
Michigan’s Dragon at Hardy Dam is groomed by volunteers from the West Michigan Mountain Biking Alliance.

Mountain bike organizations are a tough nut to crack. They've been doing all the work for decades and they have the pull and connections to help write the rules.

c) Michigan’s Dragon at Hardy Dam is closed to all equestrian, pack animal, motorized traffic, ORV traffic, including all variants of electronic bicycles.

Trying to convince the mtb alliance is a losing game, but the parks department advisory board is another thing. I say that because I took part, with a small group to overturn bans in my state and county. It takes time, but it can be done. One word of advice, stick to class 1 bikes in your arguments. You will get shut down with any talk of speeds over 20mph or throttles. There will be MTBers at every meeting and they will paint a throttle bike as a motorcycle. I'm not against class 2, I'm just passing along my experience.

 

[PCeBiker]

Nice bicycle, the sigh dosen't have a picture of a bicycle.

Yes !!
Technically and legally, I have a bicycle.

I jumped the fence with my 100 pound bicycle.
I had fun in the dirt.


Interestingly, while I was sitting in front of the gate, debating whether or not to go over, (I am motorized??) 2 dirt bikes screamed by in front of me on the other side of the barricade.

That's when I lifted my e-bike over the barricade, and went in.

 

[Catalyzt]

That is a very specific ordinance regarding a very specific trail. I'm sure it's accurate, but when you're scouting new territory, it pays to research carefully.

Here in Los Angeles, I have learned that in some places? The signs are dead wrong, or actually illegal themselves.

There is a place I call "Hell Hill" which is a shortcut into Griffith Park. I have only successfully made it to the top without stopping and walking once, and must have tried well over a dozen times. (Probably never will again!) At the bottom, there are big white and red signs that say, NO TRESPASSING and it also has a sign that says 'No motorized vehicles.'

The No Trespassing signs are illegal. That trail is a public right of way; the senior citizens in the neighborhood clued me in 20 years ago, there is an ancient easement. The sign about motorized vehicles is from the '60s or '70s, predating electric bikes-- and electric bikes are allowed anywhere normal bikes are allowed (except on certain specific trails in some parks, and fortunately, not many around here. I think the crazed electric motorcycle riders are too lazy to find the places I ride, I've only seen mountain bikes and commercial eMTBs.) What I have to pay attention to are the 'No Bicycle' signs, because those are horse trails, and I do not want to have a close encounter with a horse.

There are also a few trails in the hills where there is no signage-- not a lot of people know about them, so they are de-facto mixed use and unregulated. When I ride these, I always dismount every single time I see a pedestrian, smile, wave, and make a friendly comment if they make eye contact. My goal is to convince everyone that eBike riders are rare, superhuman beings who spread joy, good luck and happiness wherever we go and must never be banned anywhere.

I will probably get shot eventually.

 

[PCeBiker]

I rode 65 km yesterday.
No pedaling. No-Hands for more than half the ride.

I will probably end up in the drink eventually,..

 

[fooferdoggie]

I rode 65 km yesterday.
No pedaling. No-Hands for more than half the ride.



I will probably end up in the drink eventually,..

that sounds no fun at all might as well be on a motorcycle. Saturday I rode 65 miles and I was able to eat 12 tacos guilt free but the price they charged for them.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Most places that have trails don't allow e bicycles, just found out the trail around Harty Dam the dragon trail don't allow them.

Consider yourself in good company. I still ride backcountry trails that don’t permit ebikes though I do it in a responsible and as discrete manner as possible. Early morning rides on weekdays preferably during the shoulder seasons usually finds me alone on the trails. That being said, I can’t fathom how the parks people will be able to enforce such regulations with the number of trails open to riders vs the logistics of where to patrol and with few resources on hand.

Two years ago, Banff National Park changed its policy and now allows class one emtbs on select backcountry trails much to the chagrin of conservationists such as the BVN (Bow Valley Naturalists) and CPWS (Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society) who maintain that ebikes will result in more user conflicts, greater crowding and increased wildlife contact. I think that Parks Canada will realize that it’s only a matter of time before pressure from tourism companies will force them to enact more changes to their draft management plan for the park and further expand the backcountry trail system for ebike usage. Meanwhile, MTB groups are pleased with the news as are aging mtb’ers like myself.

 

[Tom@WashDC]

I've done it.
I'm a hardened criminal.

I just popped it right over the fence.

View attachment 162568View attachment 162570View attachment 162569

Good for you! Civil Disobedience is your civic duty.

 

[E biker]

This is more feedback than i thought it would generate, so I wonder how many more volunteers that would participate in grooming and enforcement if the trail was open to class 1,after all I believe the majority is out to have fun and get along.

 

[Tom@WashDC]

This is more feedback than i thought it would generate, so I wonder how many more volunteers that would participate in grooming and enforcement if the trail was open to class 1,after all I believe the majority is out to have fun and get along.

I would but I live in Virginia/DC

 

[OKBLAZER13]

Nice bicycle, the sigh dosen't have a picture of a bicycle.

Excellent point!