Motorized Electric Bikes On Trails

[SpiderLegs]

Had my first encounter with one of those new motorized E-Bikes on Trail 100 yesterday. Guess the intent of these bikes is to have a small electric motor to "assist" the rider up short, steep sections of trail. The bikes have a max speed of about 20 MPH. I really got ticked off when I saw this guy plowing down the trail on what in my mind is essentially a low powered motorcycle.

Has anyone else bumped into these bikes yet? From the cursory bit of research I've read these bikes exist in a grey area and haven't been banned yet because they are so new to the market.

[chumley]

I think you're being fecetious.

I like that word. It's like joking, but also full of feces!

[Alston_Neal]

@chumley
I coined that word about 40 years ago while having a conversation with my boss and now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

[Tough_Boots]

Interesting insight including how this could hinder the creation of new wilderness areas and also assist with hunting access to the backcountry.

Also of note, the department of the interior does not separate ebikes into further classifications in respect to power, speed, etc.

https://www.outsideonline.com/2402117/p ... nds-ebikes

[chumley]

@Tough_Boots

REI, which doubled its e-bike offerings in 2019, also donated $110,000 to the group’s efforts to expand e-bike access both on and off road, which includes getting states to enact e-bike laws that the industry finds favorable.

follow the money! I bet there's a bigger profit from selling an e-bike than a pair of Merrells. Especially when the rider probably ALSO buys the Merrells!

[Tough_Boots]

@chumley

I doubt REI has much sway with the current administration.

[rcorfman]

My guess it won't be people doing a multi-day journey. It will be cyclists that use the AZT just like most of us do and are on there for one day.

That and bike tour companies offering a few hour guided rides, or however long a battery lasts.

[SpiderLegs]

@chumley - When I managed a bike shop we didn't make much off of selling bikes, they were a break even proposition to get people into the store. The real money was selling the clothes to ride the bike and then labor to keep the bike going. An e-bike is going to take a lot of trips to the REI bike repair shop to iron out minor glitches. This was 25 years ago, but back then our labor rate for bike repairs was $35 an hour. Paid the mechanic $10 and the rest was almost pure profit.

[SAMBA]

Paid the mechanic $10

@SpiderLegs
Pretty good money back then. I'm guessing the rate hasn't increased a whole lot since then. And if my assumption is correct, then the mechanics are simply making ARIZONA money. At least the biking opportunities are virtually limitless.

[SpiderLegs]

Pretty good money back then. I'm guessing the rate hasn't increased a whole lot since then. And if my assumption is correct, then the mechanics are simply making ARIZONA money. At least the biking opportunities are virtually limitless.

The minimum wage in 1992 was $4.25, so the mechanics made more than double the minimum wage. $20,000 a year wrenching is about what a first year teacher made in Arizona. Though not typical of most bike shops in Tucson back then. We were a pro shop that pros actually took their bikes to, so we had the best mechanics in town. Not a bunch of stoner guys fresh out of high school like many shops.

[SAMBA]

$20,000 a year wrenching is about what a first year teacher made in Arizona.

@SpiderLegs

I have a vivid recollection that a member of my biking club back in '93 or '94 told me she had just received her Master's Degree and her starting teaching salary was, as you mentioned, $20,000.

[Sredfield]

I was asked to post this:

[Pivo]

Sign at Starr Pass TH in TMP

[ photo ]

[chumley]

@Pivo
This isn't the thread about no dogs allowed in that park...

[Pivo]

@chumley Please read all of the signs, or SAMBA may feel the need to post many replies.

[chumley]

@Pivo
Got it.
Up.
None of those things are permitted overhead.

[Craigbhikin]

It would seem to be difficult at best trying to control them on the trails. I myself would say no to them on the trails.

[SAMBA]

@Pivo
Starr Pass? Details? All HAZ wants Starr Pass DETAILS.

[Pivo]

@SAMBA
The word on the street is "No E-Bikes Allowed"

[CannondaleKid]

Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comments: Increasing Recreational Opportunities through the Use of Electric Bikes
The comment period runs through June 9, 2020.

Follow the link below to:
1. View Primary documents and/or add your own comment
2. View Supporting Documents
3. View any/all previous public comments (Right now there are 1,627 comments)
Taking a quick non-scientific glance through a few pages of comments it appears a large majority favor e-bike use, mainly due to age and/or physical limitations.

Follow this link to the Regulations.gov site then click on the Comment Now! button on that page.

[SpiderLegs]

@CannondaleKid - I only read the first few pages, it seems that there is a similar template for all of the comments. "I am XX years old and I have an issue with XX, let e-bikes on the trails". Wonder who is behind the letter writing campaign?