Originally Posted by
event horizon
Many people care that electric motor bicycles have a motor due to trail access issues. After spending decades separating ourselves from motor sports folks, because we are human powered, the negative affect on normal bike access is a real concern.
It's quite common for folks riding electric motor bicycles to be oblivious to the fact that they are riding them illegally.
I'm not sure I understand what the negative effect on "normal bike access" is....other than more people get to ride in places where an elite few previous owned the trails. Now I'm not talking about e-bikes that go more than 20 mph; I'm not in agreement with those, but since a fit rider can easily go 20mph, there is no impact from an e-bike in that regard except that some riders don't like the idea of others getting to use trails they have used. Novice riders who lack experience can use those trails riding manually and they can go that fast - it makes no difference. When I get into discussions with roadies and others who disdain e-bikes, it usually comes out that the truth is the dislike is due to an internalized sense of jealousy, that they don't want people being where they are because they don't meet their personal standard of effort.