Should eMTB's Be Allowed On Traditional MTB Trails?
- Thread starter J.R.
- Start date
Would you get peeved if a stronger rider on a motorless bike was asking you to move aside? If not, why not?
I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that. Please tell which ice cream flavors Mtn Bikers personally like and dislike so we know what laws and regulations banning some of them are to be expected.
Mike Smith
Active Member
This is a "silly" thread. Is there anyone here who has experienced an onslaught of eMTBs on "traditional" MTB trails or is this just the paranoia of having some fat guy on an ebike pass you in front of your girlfriend/boyfriend. Read the posts here and you will see that there is no conspiracy for ebikers to take over the "traditional" MTB trails, and I hardly doubt that use of any trail is going to increase from the hundreds to the thousands per year due to ebikes. Has anyone here actually encountered an ebike on a MTB trail, and if so did they ask to pass you? According to this thread there should be hundreds of yes answers to this question. Personally I have invested way to much in my ebike to risk it on some muddy single track trail. I can get more exercise and have nicer rides elsewhere. If I am wrong, and I maybe, show me the data on where ebikes are taking over MTB trails. Also, back to the root of this thread, if there is any data that shows an ebike does more environmental damage please provide that as well. I've seen lots of damage to nice trails done by traditional MTBs here in MD and have yet to see an eBike on one of these trails. Maybe we should have all "traditional" MTB trial open to only ebikers, I think they would be less destructive and more respectful of the environment in which they ride.
stevenast
Well-Known Member
I hike in a wildlife preserve where bikes are prohibited, but you see mtb tracks all over.
Some mountain bikers ride wherever they please, but now they want e-bikes banned from trails... pretty significant double standard, wouldn't you say?
Last edited:
grench
Well-Known Member
I like this topic...we have a single track (MTB) club here in town. They have a ride Thursday night, at an open house, on a private course. I'll go ride and see what the perception is. There are several Fat Bike guys in the group...Salsa Fat bikes are well represented in this area. Let's get some real experiences to share. As I pointed out in a different thread...local road bike group was very accepting. They were glad to get additional riders. I'll have the Virb running in case I get an interesting 'point of view' from anyone.
http://www.kssingletrack.com
http://www.kssingletrack.com
Brambor
Well-Known Member
When the trails are soft and especially when the trail is diagonally slanted or downhill you see a lot of trail erosion from regular mountain bikes due to their braking and flat out gravity induced impact. On my regular fat bike I could spin out my tires if I really pushed it hard uphill. I could imagine, hypothetically, 500w or lower pedelec ebike could induce less damage because of the available momentum and higher speed.
J.R.
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Piedmont Highlands
Mike, I think it's more about anticipating the future, it is for me. If ebikes have the impact in the US they've had in Europe it will help greatly to have all the ducks in a row. It only takes one shot if they are, quick and painless. With many mtb riders ebikes will never be accepted.
For some of us an e-mtb is the only way we can go. I won't be passing anyone, and holding up people less. Won't even do it very much. Just want to be able to deal with elevation. Tried it once non e-bike. Age and cardio had me at my limits. I will be using PAS set so I still have to work my ass off, but I won't have to walk the bike uphill.
Mike Smith
Active Member
There you have if folks, we in the ebike world are not trying to dominate traditional conventional bike domain but only enjoy it as we could have if we we younger or healthier. Many of us are older or have medical conditions which prevent us from riding conventional bikes, but we still want to get out and ride. Ebikes in some situations are the only solution. We are all getting older and the protagonists today will be riding ebikes in 20 to 30 years. Until then I say let us all be in harmony, we all just want to get out and ride and get some exercise and fresh air, so just enjoy this time we have together.
Similar threads
