Why buy a Class 2 ebike....

[DougC]

....if you never intend to pedal?

I visit about twice a week a nearby one mile out and back section of asphalt path close to where I live in Utah County, Utah, It's a great place to take my dog when I want to go on an easy flat jog walk without dealing with a dusty trail. There's lots of housing going in nearby and more and more diverse users are also visiting this path. Lots of families on bikes or pushing strollers and some skate boarders. I used to see some of the spandex bike crowd riding fast through here but I think they figured out it's not worth the trouble with so many slower users. But there's a 40ish couple who zip by on their class 2 ebikes about once a week. I never see them pedal and they usually appear to be going full throttle. What's the point of a class 2 in this case? They are just joy riding. They are definitely not getting the kind of exercise I get on my Class 1 Mtn bike or Class 3 commuter bike. And...there's a sign posted near where I park that says No Motorized Vehicles. In this case would this Class 2 ebike be considered motorized? Are they going to ruin it for the occasional Class 1 and Class 3 users of this trail?

 

[ruffruff]

They rode 20 miles before they got to this section of the trail on PAS0 and just want to get through this congested area as fast as possible so they can get back to their PAS0 pace for another 20 miles.

 

[BET]

Live and let live. E bikes are bicycles.

 

[harryS]

The only way to get a throttle on a commercial ebike is class II. So there you go,

Ebikes still appear to be rare where I ride. Might see one a week, and we ride six days a week. I don't care what others do as long as it doesn't put me at risk. Most of the sport and fitness riders blow by me all the time.

 

[ElevenAD]

just get over it, its to widespread to even worry about or waste time thinking about,you will just make yourself crazy lol
the number of people who buy E Bikes to use as Scooters is growing every day, in Brooklyn i may see 10Ebikes in a day, none pedaling all throttle
i dont understand it either but different strokes i guess, i also dont get people riding Ebikes on the side walk? wtf Spandex guys can take the road on manual bikes but you mean to tell me people on Ebikes cant? unreal but there is nothing that can be done so i just try to enjoy my own ride while i can.

 

[TomD]

Who cares if they are getting exercise? As long as the are following the rules they have as much right to be there are you. Motorized definition would depend on land manager.

 

[6zfshdb]

No sense in putting the hate on class 2 or 3 bikes due to the actions of a few. Just because your bike has a throttle doesn't mean you have to use it. From what I've encountered, the folks you mention are in the minority. Maybe they are disabled and decided to get something more exciting to replace their electric wheelchairs. I doubt LEO's are going to bother these middle aged folk and it isn't likely they will get all ebikes banned. I would be more concerned about youngsters recklessly running others off the trail.

As others have suggested, just concentrate on what works for you and let others do the same.

 

[JRA]

Actually the Class laws as written in 2015 and being adopted by most, but not all states, allow for Class 2 eBikes to ride where Class 1 can unless otherwise posted. The no motorized sign means nothing in this instance

 

[rich c]

In most areas, motorized means internal combustion

 

[AHicks]

The only way to get a throttle on a commercial ebike is class II. So there you go,

Ebikes still appear to be rare where I ride. Might see one a week, and we ride six days a week. I don't care what others do as long as it doesn't put me at risk. Most of the sport and fitness riders blow by me all the time.

I think these class distinctions are stupid myself, but they are what they are. Pretty sure a class 3 bike can have a throttle as well as a class 2. Often the 2's and the 3's are the same bikes actually, with different top speed restrictions.

Florida has it right. A bike is a bike there.... electric or not.

 

[JRA]

"Pretty sure a class 3 bike can have a throttle as well as a class 2"

Nope, not as the Class "laws" are written. However I do admit that even though I wouldn't own an eBike without a throttle for the advantage it gives in certain situations, mainly starting out from a dead stop and the odd blip here and there, it does bug me when I see someone using them exclusively because I feel it is a bad look for the cause as demonstrated by the OP and many on this forum. Plus they are missing the best part of the trip getting some exercise.....

 

[PatriciaK]

Actually, in most places, class 3 are not permitted on the trail . Only on roads and bike lanes on roads - see the California policy posted above...

 

[AHicks]

Class 3 unable to be equipped with a throttle = another stupid rule. Completely counter intuitive.

Though I do admit to riding home on a couple of occasions using throttle only, and being darn glad it was available, it was because I could not have ridden the bike otherwise due to an "unfortunate incident" (minor crashes or equipment malfunction).

 

[DougC]

I got this from UtahBike.org. Red highlights are mine. Class 3 is only referenced in regards to age restrictions and Class 2 for alcohol use. Other than that, in Utah, an e-bike (all three classes) can use the same paths as a bicycle. I think that particular section of path goes over a mixture or private, state and BLM land.


Electric Assisted Bicycles (E-Bikes)

• Except as otherwise provided in this section, an electric assisted bicycle is subject to the provisions under this chapter for a bicycle.
• An individual may operate an electric assisted bicycle on a path or trail designated for the use of a bicycle.
• A local authority or state agency may adopt an ordinance or rule to regulate or restrict the use of an electric assisted bicycle, or a specific classification of an electric assisted bicycle, on a sidewalk, path, or trail within the jurisdiction of the local authority or state agency.
• An individual under 16 years of age may not operate a class 3 electric assisted bicycle.
• An individual under 14 years of age may not operate an electric assisted bicycle with the electric motor engaged on any public property, highway, path, or sidewalk unless the individual is under the direct supervision of the individual's parent or guardian.
• An individual under eight years of age may not operate an electric assisted bicycle with the electric motor engaged on any public property, highway, path, or sidewalk.
• The owner of an electric assisted bicycle may not authorize or knowingly permit an individual to operate an electric assisted bicycle in violation of this section.
• Beginning January 1, 2017, each Utah-based manufacturer of an electric assisted bicycle and each distributor of an electric assisted bicycle in Utah shall permanently affix a label in a prominent location on the electric assisted bicycle.(b)Each manufacturer and each distributor shall ensure that the label is printed in Arial font, in 9-point type or larger, and includes thei)appropriate electric assisted bicycle classification number described in Section (41-6a-102);(ii)top assisted speed; and(iii)wattage of the motor.
• An individual who violates this section is guilty of an infraction.
• A class 2 electric assisted bicycle is subject to the restrictions of Section (41-6a-526).
• A person may not drink any alcoholic beverage while operating a motor vehicle or a class 2 electric assisted bicycle, or while a passenger in a motor vehicle, whether the vehicle is moving, stopped, or parked on any highway or waters of the state.
• A person may not keep, carry, possess, transport, or allow another to keep, carry, possess, or transport in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, or a class 2 electric assisted bicycle, when the vehicle is on any highway or waters of the state, any container which contains any alcoholic beverage if the container has been opened, its seal broken, or the contents of the container partially consumed.

 

[PatriciaK]

I got this from UtahBike.org. Red highlights are mine. Class 3 is only referenced in regards to age restrictions and Class 2 for alcohol use. Other than that, in Utah, an e-bike (all three classes) can use the same paths as a bicycle. I think that particular section of path goes over a mixture or private, state and BLM land.


Electric Assisted Bicycles (E-Bikes)

• Except as otherwise provided in this section, an electric assisted bicycle is subject to the provisions under this chapter for a bicycle.
• An individual may operate an electric assisted bicycle on a path or trail designated for the use of a bicycle.
• A local authority or state agency may adopt an ordinance or rule to regulate or restrict the use of an electric assisted bicycle, or a specific classification of an electric assisted bicycle, on a sidewalk, path, or trail within the jurisdiction of the local authority or state agency.
• An individual under 16 years of age may not operate a class 3 electric assisted bicycle.
• An individual under 14 years of age may not operate an electric assisted bicycle with the electric motor engaged on any public property, highway, path, or sidewalk unless the individual is under the direct supervision of the individual's parent or guardian.
• An individual under eight years of age may not operate an electric assisted bicycle with the electric motor engaged on any public property, highway, path, or sidewalk.
• The owner of an electric assisted bicycle may not authorize or knowingly permit an individual to operate an electric assisted bicycle in violation of this section.
• Beginning January 1, 2017, each Utah-based manufacturer of an electric assisted bicycle and each distributor of an electric assisted bicycle in Utah shall permanently affix a label in a prominent location on the electric assisted bicycle.(b)Each manufacturer and each distributor shall ensure that the label is printed in Arial font, in 9-point type or larger, and includes thei)appropriate electric assisted bicycle classification number described in Section (41-6a-102);(ii)top assisted speed; and(iii)wattage of the motor.
• An individual who violates this section is guilty of an infraction.
• A class 2 electric assisted bicycle is subject to the restrictions of Section (41-6a-526).
• A person may not drink any alcoholic beverage while operating a motor vehicle or a class 2 electric assisted bicycle, or while a passenger in a motor vehicle, whether the vehicle is moving, stopped, or parked on any highway or waters of the state.
• A person may not keep, carry, possess, transport, or allow another to keep, carry, possess, or transport in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, or a class 2 electric assisted bicycle, when the vehicle is on any highway or waters of the state, any container which contains any alcoholic beverage if the container has been opened, its seal broken, or the contents of the container partially consumed.

Utah is different from most locations, then - lucky you !

 

[DougC]

Kind of funny though that a Class 2 ebike is considered a bicycle until you open up a can a beer, but only when it's on a "highway" or moving or stopped over the water??? So not only are they implying that it's pretty akin to a motor vehicle but also a boat? I need a drink.

 

[AHicks]

So it would appear Florida and Utah have adopted "a bike is a bike" rules. 48 to go....

 

[kmccune]

No sense in putting the hate on class 2 or 3 bikes due to the actions of a few. Just because your bike has a throttle doesn't mean you have to use it. From what I've encountered, the folks you mention are in the minority. Maybe they are disabled and decided to get something more exciting to replace their electric wheelchairs. I doubt LEO's are going to bother these middle aged folk and it isn't likely they will get all ebikes banned. I would be more concerned about youngsters recklessly running others off the trail.

As others have suggested, just concentrate on what works for you and let others do the same.

Come to my part of VA, some of these LEO's would ticket their own Grandparents and brag about it, as for VA-National Forest. only EBIKES on places were motorized vehicles are allowed( I know of no exceptions).Am going to start checking out the converted rail spurs.

 

[MartsEbike]

They are just joy riding.

Is there any other kind of riding?

 

[JimVonBaden]

Come to my part of VA, some of these LEO's would ticket their own Grandparents and brag about it, as for VA-National Forest. only EBIKES on places were motorized vehicles are allowed( I know of no exceptions).Am going to start checking out the converted rail spurs.

What part of VA are you in? I see lots of ebikes on the trails around NoVA.