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.

[cactuscat]

Good god, I just bought an ebike because it's FUN! Should be reason enough.

[SpiderLegs]

@LosDosSloFolks - I drive with a heavy foot and got nailed.

[CannondaleKid]

I drive with a heavy foot and got nailed.

At least that's better than the warning: Drive hammered, get nailed posted on information signs around the time of various (drinking?) holidays.

[SpiderLegs]

This is but a small sample, but Outside Magazine of all places has had at least 5-6 positive stories about E-Bikes over the past few years. Is the E-Bike lobby that big and well funded that it can generate stories in an outdoor magazine that extol the virtues of electric bikes? Plus garner a lot of positive comments on an online survey for one trail in Arizona?

Generally not one for putting on a tin foil hat, but this seems odd.

[outdoor_lover]

@SpiderLegs
Money talks and Publications will go in whatever direction the readership is going, and take money from whomever to pay the bills. Many Publications have been born with a Concept and Ethics in mind, but have gone astray just to survive. Outside Magazine is a perfect example.

[SpiderLegs]

I've been chatting about E-Bikes too much it seems over here. Now I'm getting ads on my Facebook feed for E-Bikes.

[outdoor_lover]

I wonder if there's a way to include our Poll from here into the Comment Section of the BLM's Page? I think it's a great way to tell the BLM what a Hiking Community in general thinks about their E Bike plans.

[wildwesthikes]

Among pedaled bikes it appears that MTB is by far a better seller than true road bikes, but if one were to lump in 'transit/fitness' bikes that collective would be largest

Well this is America. If you ask study participants what kind of bike they ride and they have one of those weird ones that weighs 16 lbs with the handlebars that swoop downwards that you only see in that one Lance Armstrong race then they would probably lump it into the 'transit/fitness' category.

[NCISS]

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.

I think I am forced to agree. Ebikes have no place on the trails. As an OHV operator, I have to not only pay for a special plate, but I also have to obey all OHV laws both on and off BLM/State Trust/National parks.
It would seem to me that being unregulated would make them free to act against safety both on and off trails.
Maybe I'm wrong.

[sidhayes]

@NCISS
You are not wrong. They are pathetic hazzards.

[chumley]

Yes, we definitely need regulations to protect people from hazards. But some people will choose to ignore them because they know better.

[Alston_Neal]

@NCISS
Welcome, do you actually live in Dragoon? Cool area.

[NCISS]

@Alston_Neal
I live outside the village about 1.5 clicks on the south end of the tracks

[NCISS]

@chumley
I certainly agree with your assessment. While we do not want "so many" regulations that it chokes off the enjoyment of hikers, OHV operators and the like,
I honestly believe that we as a community need to agree on what we ALL want to see ITO rules to protect not only ourselves, but other Outdoor enthusiasts
alike. I wholeheartedly believe that sacred mother has so much to offer away from the "Corporate Hive", thus we also have a reasonable duty to her as well.

My 2-pennies

[toddak]

AZT Association has released their final report titled "Perceptions of Conflict Surrounding Future E-bike Use on the AZT", incorporating survey responses from 3000 people. From the abstract:

The majority of respondents disapproved of e-bikes being allowed on the trail. This sentiment
remained true across the board for each of the major user groups; however, mountain bike riders
surveyed were less likely to disapprove of allowing e-bikes on non-motorized trails, and equestrians
surveyed were more likely to disapprove. Findings also showed that experience with e-bikes
improved tolerance for e-bike use on non-motorized trails amongst survey respondents, but on
average exposure alone was not enough to create favorability. Survey responses also strongly
suggested a polarized divide between the pro-e-bike and anti-e-bike camps, where both sides are
highly reluctant to sympathize with the opposing camp’s argument, which could lead to conflict.

[FOTG]

Someone on Facebook told me the fire at Horton was started from a malfunctioning E bike on the Highline

[Sredfield]

@friendofThundergod
Well, if it's on FaceBook, it's gospel.

[cactuscat]

Someone on Facebook told me that FOTG is an asshole and a bully - but I already knew that. He's "ignored" now, but it's still not cool.

[Alston_Neal]

So if I were to drone an E-biker where would the ethics meter put me.

[cactuscat]

@Alston_Neal
Plenty of ebikers take video with their drone following them!
Hopefully in areas where both are allowed!