Why buy a Class 2 ebike....

[kmccune]

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

In west central VA,( Bath and Highland county, these are turning into gated retirement communities and you do not make waves( it will bite you in the arse), I talked to the Head Ranger in Ashwood , yes EBikes are welcome in areas that allow motorized vehicles( Jeeps, trail Bikes, etc) not on hiking or bike or Horse trails, no one is allowed in timber sale areas, so there you go,Zilch areas that allow ebikes and the way it looks there is no interest or intent to allow groups like the Shenadoah Ebike Mtb club to work with the locals to develop any trails, these are "Public" lands-not.

 

[ebikemom]

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 could have health challenges or physical disabilities. I learned from my local bike dealer that the main reason Pedego lobbied for the "Class 2" designation (instead of not allowing throttles, which seemed to be the first inclination in those writing ebike legislation) was because there are folks with knee, hip, problems, breathing problems, etc. who can't sustain pedaling. The idea is to make cycling accessible. And, if you read the Disability and Ebiking forum, you'll hear lots of stories about the helpfulness of throttles.

 

[ebikemom]

it was because I could not have ridden the bike otherwise due to an "unfortunate incident" (minor crashes or equipment malfunction).

This is a great thing about a class 2 hub drive ebike--you can still use the throttle to proceed. I've used this feature with my son, when his chain fell off on a bike path that was too narrow for us to fix the problem. The throttle was great because it kept him from getting panicky (he has a developmental disability). I also have had my chain fall off where I didn't want to stop and fix it (in the rain) close to home, and throttled home instead. It's a great feature!

 

[ebikemom]

mainly starting out from a dead stop

I live in a very hilly area and love the throttle for starting when faced uphill. It is awesome for my not-so-hot knees!

 

[Art Deco]

Check member ReadytoRide in Virginia Photos and Maps thread.

 

[kmccune]

Check member ReadytoRide in Virginia Photos and Maps thread.

Wheres the thread? This area is in the so-called Nature Conservancy- not much allowed. All I can find are forestry roads( usually in poor repair),small areas and the failing resort( you are probably not welcome there if are not a guest( this applies to the golf course as well) I will check the Jackson river trail, pretty sure you can ride a regular bicycle there, doubt if motorized vehicles are welcome.

 

[kmccune]

Yay! VA allows it! One problem, the Feds own 80% of the land in my area and they are no trails for EMTB and the private land owners do not want you on their land( think I am going to" Get out of Dodge". This is really incredible-I talked with the Head Ranger and was referred to this obscure website, if it comes up am going to try to find out why there are no trails for this in my area( keep in mind this a strategic retreat area, I have been led to believe. There were certain roads we always had to clear of snow first){ Shades of 'Greenbreir}! So thats why the mountain airport was upgraded along with the bridges and local"band-aid "station( Calling Alex Jones!)

 

[kmccune]

Dang turning up zilch, come on people I do not want to go 70 -120 miles just to get on a decent trail that allows ebikes. Going to chew on the head PTB now for awhile.

 

[Art Deco]

Wheres the thread? This area is in the so-called Nature Conservancy- not much allowed. All I can find are forestry roads( usually in poor repair),small areas and the failing resort( you are probably not welcome there if are not a guest( this applies to the golf course as well) I will check the Jackson river trail, pretty sure you can ride a regular bicycle there, doubt if motorized vehicles are welcome.

One of her recent rides link below. She seems to ride a lot of roads rather than trails only.

2020 : Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

Share the road! Fairney View, 19 km up the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. I sheltered behind my Powerfly and cried Boo! with all the authority I could muster. It worked; a stratagem worth considering.

electricbikereview.com

 

[kmccune]

One of her recent rides link below. She seems to ride a lot of roads rather than trails only.

2020 : Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

Share the road! Fairney View, 19 km up the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. I sheltered behind my Powerfly and cried Boo! with all the authority I could muster. It worked; a stratagem worth considering.

electricbikereview.com

What does this have to do with " price of rice in China?? There are simply very few places to ride on the road where I live, when they have a bicycle "tour" they shut the roads down( very inconvenient for the locals) the topography is pretty different from the pictures, the old RR grade is probably the best site,I do not think they allow "motorized vehicles there, there is a lot of jealousy.
On another vein, I do not want to be sharing a trail with jeeps or trailbikes(ice).

 

[JimVonBaden]

In west central VA,( Bath and Highland county, these are turning into gated retirement communities and you do not make waves( it will bite you in the arse), I talked to the Head Ranger in Ashwood , yes EBikes are welcome in areas that allow motorized vehicles( Jeeps, trail Bikes, etc) not on hiking or bike or Horse trails, no one is allowed in timber sale areas, so there you go,Zilch areas that allow ebikes and the way it looks there is no interest or intent to allow groups like the Shenadoah Ebike Mtb club to work with the locals to develop any trails, these are "Public" lands-not.

That sucks, because the laws in VA are in our favor. I have seen no issues in NoVA, public parks or federal parks. I hope that doesn't change.

 

[kmccune]

That sucks, because the laws in VA are in our favor. I have seen no issues in NoVA, public parks or federal parks. I hope that doesn't change.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/gwj/recreation/bicycling, check this out, this pretty much kills it down here, the problem as I see it is this, properly ridden EMTBS cause less damage than Horses.

 

[JimVonBaden]

https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/gwj/recreation/bicycling, check this out, this pretty much kills it down here, the problem as I see it is this, properly ridden EMTBS cause less damage than Horses.

I guess I am fortunate. They never bother ebikes up here.

 

[AHicks]

I guess I am fortunate. They never bother ebikes up here.

Which matches the experience of most e-bikers riding everywhere. Regarding E-bikes ridden prudently (legal or not) tickets are not something you hear about often.

 

[DougC]

Is there any other kind of riding?

You missed this part: "They are definitely not getting the kind of exercise I get on my Class 1 Mtn bike or Class 3 commuter bike." I just quoted myself.

 

[DougC]

They could have health challenges or physical disabilities. I learned from my local bike dealer that the main reason Pedego lobbied for the "Class 2" designation (instead of not allowing throttles, which seemed to be the first inclination in those writing ebike legislation) was because there are folks with knee, hip, problems, breathing problems, etc. who can't sustain pedaling. The idea is to make cycling accessible. And, if you read the Disability and Ebiking forum, you'll hear lots of stories about the helpfulness of throttles.

I like your avator.

Understand they could have some disability. There are many more ebike users in my neighborhood these days and a good number I believe have class 2 bikes but they do pedal. Which is good. They get exercise and when they need help to get up a hill or home in heavy winds they have the throttle. My bikes don't have throttle but Turbo mode gets me up steep hills without killing my 60 year old knees. And Turbo mode also helps getting home that last 10 miles against a strong wind. But because I pedal I still exercise my heart and burn calories. Almost as much as when riding a pedal only bike.

But the couple I was referring to in my original post NEVER pedal. So why not get one of these?

 

[ebikemom]

I like your avator.

Understand they could have some disability. There are many more ebike users in my neighborhood these days and a good number I believe have class 2 bikes but they do pedal. Which is good. They get exercise and when they need help to get up a hill or home in heavy winds they have the throttle. My bikes don't have throttle but Turbo mode gets me up steep hills without killing my 60 year old knees. And Turbo mode also helps getting home that last 10 miles against a strong wind. But because I pedal I still exercise my heart and burn calories. Almost as much as when riding a pedal only bike.

But the couple I was referring to in my original post NEVER pedal. So why not get one of these?

View attachment 71427

My avatar is a mosaic tile I made at a family camp for kids with disabilities!!!

Methinks they might want to go on bike trails? Or go slowly enough to smell the roses? Or be able to pedal when they are able? If you see them often, maybe you can strike up a conversation someday and learn their story. That would be cool!

 

[DougC]

My avatar is a mosaic tile I made at a family camp for kids with disabilities!!!

Methinks they might want to go on bike trails? Or go slowly enough to smell the roses? Or be able to pedal when they are able? If you see them often, maybe you can strike up a conversation someday and learn their story. That would be cool!

They're going by so fast it's pretty clear they don't want to talk to anyone.

 

[ebikemom]

Well, yes, there's that! I do sometimes get to strike up conversations with fellow ebikers at destination sorts of areas (lakeside parks where folks are eating their sack lunches, etc.) ... it's fun to hear what ebiking means to different people.