Mr. Coffee
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- A Demented Corner of the North Cascades
m@Robertson
Let's just say I very much hope you are right, but I do not share your optimism.
On the comparisons with firearm bans, I think you know that is quite a bit different. Firearm owners are a very loud and noisy and politically powerful minority. And last I checked there is no XXXVIIth amendment given the people the right to keep and bear e-bikes. Though it would be a fun idea.
Also, we are a tiny minority. I'd reckon that on the order of 2 percent of adult Americans ride a bike more than once a week. And e-bikers are a percentage of that percentage. Also, the most highly visible part of that tiny minority is the most obnoxious and annoying and the thing that most civilians see and interact with. We aren't the only activity that gets bad PR from the most annoying participants (road bikers and snowboarders also have that problem) but we are the new kid on the block which is automatically a tick against us.
I think complacency isn't a likely path to success here. I'd argue that being a good citizen is. First and foremost that means not being a jerk and realizing that your behavior represents not just you, but all e-bikers. Second that means being an active and visible member of the community, which means putting in the work of going to public meetings that nobody else shows up at, and having a good story about what you want to advocate for.
Which gets to the next part -- I don't think advocating for some kind of libertarian "Wild West" fantasy with zero regulation plays very well. I think it is possible to advocate for appropriate e-bike usage, and also appropriate restrictions. I think very few folks here would think it makes any sense to use an e-bike on a trail like Whistler's A-Line, I think very few folks here argue that children should operate e-bikes without at least some restrictions, and I think most folks here realize there is a heck of a difference between an electric bicycle and an electric motorcycle. Also, most of us here live indoors and have a lively interest in making sure our homes are not burnt down by an e-bike battery.