I ride the bike paths here in the DC area, specifically the Crescent and Mount Vernon Trails, as I commute to work, and this whole electric-thing-on-the-bike-path concerns me. These trails are marked for non-powered transport and I think with good reason. Here are some thoughts:

It seems fairly evident that there are two types of device, the power assisted bike and the electric bike. The first is a normal bike modified to have an electric motor, but first and foremost it looks like and behaves like a regular bicycle; it has power assist. It weighs little more than a regular bike, can be pedaled, has derailleur or hub gears, or not, is the same width and speed of a normal push-bike - give or take! In effect, this is a machine intended for human power; the electric assist is just that - an assist.

The second is an entirely different kettle of fish. The pedals on an electric bike are clearly NOT intended as the main means of power. These machines are much heavier, are wider and faster, and are intended to be FIRST powered by an electric motor and second, if at all, by pedals.

In a live-and-let-live world, which we are rapidly losing, I think it quite reasonable for power-assist bikes, by the above definition, to use bike trails. Within the confines of the rules laid down for bike paths they must be used in human-power mode only, i.e. pedaled. In reality I would quite expect to see folks adding a wee bit of power up a hill to help their pedaling, something the casual observer would not notice. As long as these machines keep within the normal scope of biking expectations, this would be fine.

Scooters or ANY machine that is not primarily intended for human power do not belong on bike paths.

What will happen if this gets pushed is that the legal weenies will get involved and we shall ALL suffer. Some fathead will note that we have a clear distinction here between power-assist and "electricity as the main driving force" and will require licenses to be issued. This will allow our brave authorities to monitor bike paths and if they see something with a bag or protrudance that MIGHT be a motor, then they may stop that person and issue a fine. They will have a ball with this and we will all need to pay license fees, usage fees and the occasional fine. Then some bright spark will invent automatic bike-path camera surveillance devices... And so on.

Sigh. It'll probably happen anyway.

Lawrence