www.pressdemocrat.com
This one might make your blood boil a bit because this forum has a lot of experienced riders, but it does show how the tide is turning. Win the minds and the hearts will follow!
E-bikes are illegal in California state parks. Why are there so many at Trione-Annadel?
While that rule exists, there is virtually no enforcement of it in Trione-Annadel’s 5,500 acres.
Well written, fast read. The tide is turning.
www.aspentimes.com
The biggest thing I see is a lack of respect. A lot of new E-bike and acoustic bike riders a like. Also there are E-bikes and then...... those that claim to be E-bikes. One of the biggest things new riders can do is learn the rules and be respectful of all the different users on the trails and roads they ride. I don't know how many times I've seen a rider on the wrong side of the road. The thing about true e-bikes vs regular bicycle is becoming a thing of the past and e-bikes aren't just for the old and injured. Have fun go far share the pathE-bikes are illegal in California state parks. Why are there so many at Trione-Annadel?
While that rule exists, there is virtually no enforcement of it in Trione-Annadel’s 5,500 acres.
Well written, fast read. The tide is turning.
Be cautious writing things like "the thing about ebikes and regular bikes is becoming a thing of the past" as that is what I've been advocating as it's stated in HR727 from 2002 and I get hammered by many on EBR every time I suggest compliant ebikes should be "use" regulated as a bike (as was intended). There are still land managers and park superintendents that view a throttle-assist ebikes as a motorized vehicles and they don't like being questioned. Some people even think that an assist cut-off limits an ebikes top riding speed (I guess they forget about the impact of gravity and different rider abilities). I'm pretty straight forward on this but it's clear that ebikes are being accepted as just another bike on the trails / paths / roads more frequently. Leave the class system in Europe where it belongs as they seem to like registration and insurance costs on 250W S-pedelecs that achieve 28mph with mostly rider effort.The biggest thing I see is a lack of respect. A lot of new E-bike and acoustic bike riders a like. Also there are E-bikes and then...... those that claim to be E-bikes. One of the biggest things new riders can do is learn the rules and be respectful of all the different users on the trails and roads they ride. I don't know how many times I've seen a rider on the wrong side of the road. The thing about true e-bikes vs regular bicycle is becoming a thing of the past and e-bikes aren't just for the old and injured. Have fun go far share the path
One on one I generally do get respect. Maybe, like you say, I respect the rules and other riders.Have fun go far share the path
The best way for acceptance and "use" regulation is that compliant ebikes be viewed as just a bike.One on one I generally do get respect. Maybe, like you say, I respect the rules and other riders.
Most people understand an ebike ins't just a bike. We embrace those differences. We ride more often and much farther. The people running the trails know that and they feel they need to take the differences into account. A dedicated mtb rider will ride hundreds of miles a year, a dedicated eMTB rider will ride thousands of miles a year. One us can account for 2 or 3 of unassisted riders, both in numbers on the trails and trail wear.
Most single tracks are built and maintained by volunteers. Even rail trails have volunteer days for maintenance. Having spoken to the managers and volunteers, they understand what the future may be. Instead of a few dozen riders per day riding a few runs each, there could be hundreds of riders riding a dozen runs a day. There's good reason for concern. We can work it out though. More people should mean more volunteers and more donations
One of the things that's helped local advocates of ebikes and trail access has been acceptance in some state and national parks.One on one I generally do get respect. Maybe, like you say, I respect the rules and other riders.
Most people understand an ebike ins't just a bike. We embrace those differences. We ride more often and much farther. The people running the trails know that and they feel they need to take the differences into account. A dedicated mtb rider will ride hundreds of miles a year, a dedicated eMTB rider will ride thousands of miles a year. One us can account for 2 or 3 of unassisted riders, both in numbers on the trails and trail wear.
Most single tracks are built and maintained by volunteers. Even rail trails have volunteer days for maintenance. Having spoken to the managers and volunteers, they understand what the future may be. Instead of a few dozen riders per day riding a few runs each, there could be hundreds of riders riding a dozen runs a day. There's good reason for concern. We can work it out though. More people should mean more volunteers and more donations
I try to not put people on ignore. It can damage the readability of a thread.
It's not about hate....it's about accuracy. The information in that article is simply just not accurate or true. Doesn't that matter?
Sorry but making it sound like allowing or not allowing ebikes on a path is a tough decision just got the best of me. I do understand that regardless of what they decide there will be complaints but my guess is that 95% of US citizens are OK sharing infrastructure with bikes, so I don't see upsetting that 5% as making a tough decision. I understand that 5% can be very vocal.
One of our Provincial parks here in Alberta (Kananaskis/Peter Lougheed), along with a well-known area frequented by MTBers (West Bragg Creek) outside of Calgary, have either allowed class 1 e-MTBs on the trails as a pilot project, as in the case of Kananaskis Country, or has fully recognized them as in Bragg Creek. It’s very reassuring to hear this and I’m hopeful that we will see something in the works in the weeks/months to come with respect to one of our national parks (Banff). I spoke with the Visitor Experience Project Manager for the Town of Banff regarding this matter and he seemed encouraged by changes on the horizon.One of the things that's helped local advocates of ebikes and trail access has been acceptance in some state and national parks.
Reported in June, 2021 the National Parks Service has approved ebike rental at Grand Canyon, Arizona.
The increasing popularity of e-bikes at Grand Canyon
Last December, as bikes became increasingly popular among visitors, the National Park Service (NPS) finalized regulations governing the use of e-bikes in national parks.www.williamsnews.com
The Department of the Interior under the current administration has moderated a bit since the DOI made new rule in 2020 regarding ebikes. I'm grateful for the access we have, but these things can change. As far as I know most trails that opened in the past 2 years are still open. Never hurts to let them know where you stand on the issue.One of the things that's helped local advocates of ebikes and trail access has been acceptance in some state and national parks.
Reported in June, 2021 the National Parks Service has approved ebike rental at Grand Canyon, Arizona.
The increasing popularity of e-bikes at Grand Canyon
Last December, as bikes became increasingly popular among visitors, the National Park Service (NPS) finalized regulations governing the use of e-bikes in national parks.
www.nationalparkstraveler.org
Good news. I read about other pilot programs across the US as well. The first time I addressed regulators on the issue, I was pleasantly surprised. The issues are complicated. Most weren't anti ebike, even though they initially said no. Most of them were willing to learn. Very encouraging signs everywhere you look... well almost everywhere.
Here we are almost 20 years after HR727 stated that compliant "low speed electric bicycles" are not 'motorized vehicles" and yet some still apply that definition to them.The Department of the Interior under the current administration has moderated a bit since the DOI made new rule in 2020 regarding ebikes. I'm grateful for the access we have, but these things can change. As far as I know most trails that opened in the past 2 years are still open. Never hurts to let them know where you stand on the issue.
DOI order June 30, 2021
July 1, 2021
Superintendents across the National Park System have been given permission to reverse course and deny trail access to e-bikes if they adversely impact park resources or other visitors.
That guidance from Shawn Benge, the acting director of the National Park Service, comes nearly two years after former Interior Secretary David Bernhardt ordered parks to allow the motorized bikes on trails that muscle-powered bikes already were allowed on.
In the order sent Wednesday to regional directors, associate and assistant directors, superintendents, and the chief of the U.S. Park Police, Benge wrote to "remind superintendents that they have the discretion to allow e-bikes or not; and (3) direct superintendents of park units that allowed e-bikes on trails or administrative roads under the rescinded e-bike policy to reconsider that decision..."
UPDATED | National Park Service Gives Park Superintendents Authority To Ban E-Bikes
Superintendents across the National Park System have been given permission to reverse course and deny trail access to E-bikes if they adversely impact park resources or other visitors.
Canada does not have an ebike class regulation system. It's my understanding they have one definition for a compliant ebike and it's 500W max and less than 32kph. Hey but I'll be the bad guy again for stating facts.
