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NPR covers the controversy over allowing e-bikes on bike trails in national parks

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NPR covers the controversy over allowing e-bikes on bike trails in national parks

Old 10-21-19, 06:44 PM
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Arthur Peabody
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NPR covers the controversy over allowing e-bikes on bike trails in national parks

https://www.npr.org/2019/10/21/77185...dle-on-e-bikes I don't see why not.
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Old 10-22-19, 05:41 AM
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I had to laugh at the comment made that the trails were not created with heavier and faster E-Bikes in mind. This is just proof that arguments are fabricated, because certain people don't like E-bikes for some reason, or they can't afford one for themselves. Wonder what the difference is in weight if a 150Lb person is riding a 60Lb E-bike, and a 180lb person is riding a regular bike that weighs 30lbs ? As for speed I have not encountered one person on an E-bike that I thought was going to fast. On the other hand I have encountered quite a few regular bikers going what I thought was pretty fast for the trail that was being ridden. I just think the whole argument against e-bikes is ridiculous, and the quote made by the head of the Cleveland mountain bike association is proof of that.

I don't own an e-bike, nor do I plan to buy one, unless I have a physical disability that I would need one to ride, or just become to old, and would need the assistance of an electric motor to ride. I really don't think people buy an e-bike so they can go faster. At least I have not seen that from the e-bikers I have encountered.

Last edited by Alzerbster; 10-22-19 at 05:45 AM.
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Old 10-22-19, 06:20 AM
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It''s not so much about the weight as it is the greater torque produced by a motor.
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Old 10-22-19, 11:16 AM
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Come visit in NYC and you'll see e-bikes going too fast. Where's the line between bicycles and motorcycles? I dunno. Should there be one? I dunno.
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Old 10-22-19, 11:49 AM
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In NYC, I'm assuming this is on roads and streets. Is there a difference between someone doing 25 mph on a regular bike compared to someone doing the same speed on an E-bike? What is to fast on any kind of bike in NYC? I guess my perception of E-bikes and the only kind I have been around is the pedal assist e-bikes. These are not bikes that you twist a throttle and take off.
What is the definition of a motorcycle? I think when motorcycle is mentioned, most think of a bike with an internal combustion engine, which are all banned from any or most trails in the state I live in. So yes there is a line between motorcycles and bicycles. If there wasn't a line, motorcycles with an internal combustion engine would be allowed on bike trails. Maybe any E-bike that doesn't need pedal assist to propel one forward should be considered a motorcycle. Again I was just thinking, and referring to a class 1 e-bike that needs pedal assist to travel. It used to be e-bikes were limited to 250 watt motors and they would cut out at 25mph. Now doing some research I see there are a few bikes made with 4000 to 5000 watt motors. So I can see how there would be arguments over what would be allowed on a bicycle trail. Maybe they could limit E-bikes on trails to no more than 350 watt motors. I dunno either.
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Old 10-22-19, 05:26 PM
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Originally Posted by jon c.
It''s not so much about the weight as it is the greater torque produced by a motor.
You sure about this?
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Old 10-22-19, 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by jon c.
It''s not so much about the weight as it is the greater torque produced by a motor.
Well I was just commenting on the head of the MTB association that claimed the trails were not build for heavy bikes like ebikes. Just wanted to point out how stupid and unfounded his remark is, and he is someone that is railing against the use of an ebike on his trails. If its about torque, he should have said that.
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Old 10-22-19, 06:47 PM
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I don't ride a mountain bike, but if I did, I wouldn't want ebikes on my trails either. I do ride off road motorcycles, and we already have trails for that.
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Old 10-22-19, 07:46 PM
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https://b.3cdn.net/bikes/c3fe8a28f1a..._g3m6bdt7g.pdf
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Old 10-23-19, 10:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Alzerbster
Well I was just commenting on the head of the MTB association that claimed the trails were not build for heavy bikes like ebikes. Just wanted to point out how stupid and unfounded his remark is, and he is someone that is railing against the use of an ebike on his trails. If its about torque, he should have said that.
As someone who weighs under 140lbs, if weight is a problem I would support restricting rider and bike weight to under 200lbs without regard to what powers the bike. Pretty sure the huge guys are generating more power than me.
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Old 10-23-19, 10:57 AM
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Also, safety of other users was mentioned. If on some singletrack..........which of the following people would you rather be passed by or pass going the other way at a significant speed difference?

This person?


Or this person?


The one who is making up for skill and strength with a toy? Or the one that "grew into" their skills and strength by riding enough to acquire them?

I've said this in the other e-bike topics. Some of it is fine and some isn't. Road? Who freaking cares, there's so much space. MUP's? Better be speed limited. Single track? No way Jose.

When 300lb dude has to work for their speed, they're going to be going a lot slower than with a 350w moped in the woods.

Skills acquisition through work matters.

IMO the UCI made the wrong move introducing e-bike racing. When there's para-athletes out there racing bikes missing a leg, missing two arms below the elbow, and many other challenges........still racing and riding manual bikes..........what the flying freak yo. That makes the whole e-bike thing look pretty darn childish in comparison. Just as a comparison.
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Old 10-23-19, 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by burnthesheep
Also, safety of other users was mentioned. If on some singletrack..........which of the following people would you rather be passed by or pass going the other way at a significant speed difference?
Why not give us a real choice. The other two are a don't care.

edit: The preference in this case is "passed by".
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Old 10-23-19, 11:26 AM
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I hereby award 10 'internets' to fly135
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Old 10-24-19, 09:15 AM
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I guess we should kick heavy people riding MTB off MTB trails in national parks too then! lol
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Old 10-24-19, 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by blacknbluebikes
Come visit in NYC and you'll see e-bikes going too fast. Where's the line between bicycles and motorcycles? I dunno. Should there be one? I dunno.
In all fairness, you'll see a lot of people in NYC riding regular bikes too fast as well, and the crazy maneuvers some of them do in traffic, especially those "bike messengers" on fixed gear rigs.
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Old 10-24-19, 01:04 PM
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The future is here. You can adapt and move on. You can cry or rage. But you still need to move on.
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Old 10-24-19, 03:35 PM
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Originally Posted by alloo
I guess we should kick heavy people riding MTB off MTB trails in national parks too then! lol
Yeah, I mean if a 50 to 80lb ebike is to heavy for the way the trails are designed, maybe there needs to be a rule against people of a certain weight riding on the trails. If anything a bike and rider that is heavier would be more planted and less likely to have a tire slide out. Again the comment in the article is ridiculous. When something that is not liked by certain people, for various reasons. There is always a heap of crap made up to suit their logic, and reasoning.
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Old 10-26-19, 11:57 AM
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Fortunately most national parks don't allow bikes of any sort on the actual trails. They mentioned Acadia, but those "trails" are more like MUPs. Wide, packed gravel, few turns, I've ridden them on a road bike with 23s. I don't think ebikes will damage them any more than the horses. True MTB trails in national forests and recreation areas will be more of a concern. If they allow horses, they may as well allow ebikes. Also, even though they don't have to work going uphill, I don't see ebikers developing the skills needed to negotiate MTB trails.
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