LOTS of local and state rules define bikes in broad range. Many also define a bike and a motorized bike the same( 20 mph max ) PAS, no throttle different classes yada, yada. One less car is great thing.

As a user of the MUP, you don't know the rules? With so much baggage you are carrying, you might need the extra power. You can tell just by looking at someone their fitness, medical condition and ADA status? Nice.

And often I see people having difficulty starting their motorbike (or scooter for that matter) in the morning. Seen it so many times...

Aahhh... The best of both or + worlds :-)

Legitimate reason? When I bought my ebike the dealer didn't ask me to justify my purchase. I don't think you have to provide justification or documentation if you want to by a $5K carbon road bike either. I happen to ride both and I like to ride both.

If they were to ban ebikes from the MUP, rest assured that all bikes would be banned. Way more accidents and altercations with non motorized bikes.

The question of whether e-bikes catch on the US is apparent in my neighborhood but mostly delivery guys. It's standard in the northern part of Manhattan with so many hills. I see some going all day long for what seems like 7 days a week. I'm sure it makes eking out a living a little easier. Good for them. There's no comparison between riding for leisure and riding for your commute/job.

Yikes, facts be dammed. Most places low powered pedal assist ebikes are considered bikes. Maybe you should get the facts? Or that doesn't matter anyway. Hmmm. You can make medical diagnosis on people by looking at them, like their ADA status? Cardio issues, lung issues, prosthetics? Nice. I for one welcome one less car, and the MUP belongs to all, dude.

They are banned on most of the MUPs in my area. I don't see many of them, but there's virtually zero enforcement anyway. Quite a few electric Razor-type scooters heading toward the commuter train station though.

Paved Regional Trails

All I know is my use is allowed. The law currently supports e-bikes on the MUPs, and your opinion as to whether they should be allowed is irrelevant to the topic.
One should learn to not be ruled by their prejudices, insecurities, and overactive imaginations.

The only time I've had an issue with another MUT user while riding an e-bike was long before I actually ever rode one. It was a roadie too ignorant to distinguish the difference between a Dutch bike and a e-bike, who was emotionally incapable of dealing with being passed.

We understand you're a uninformed loud-n-proud Luddite afraid of change and diversity, no need to belabor the point.

OP, glad your ride works for you. I see e bikes as a great resource for those looking to commute. I logged 2,100 bike commuter miles this year, plus weekend mt biking and such. I do 2-6 trips per week, about 18 miles one way. Often thought about one for my commute, would mean less time on bike and more trips by bike. Less time in the cage( car) Some days steady headwind is a suffer fest. Think about someone with 2 kids or groceries, the cargo bike is good fit. Someone who has hills (like the op) a longer commute or maybe prefers to be less sweaty. Or someone looking to go car light. The roads are not getting less crowded with cars these days. In Boston, the bike share use has just exploded in the past 3 years, as well as across the globe. All good.

The point I was trying to make is "Are e bikes allowed on your MUP"? Start there.

Those motorized bike should have an auto-shutoff builtin. When the pavement is flat or on descending down, the motor will shut-off. This will force folks to at least pedal....will be good for them.

[MENTION=365305]kickstart[/MENTION], I'm glad to read your news. One day, I might like an e-bike. I particularly like the long ones, such as the one whose picture you posted. There is a grocery delivery service here that uses Yuba Mundos with e-assist.

I hope to see more e-bikes, especially if it means getting people out of cars. Too many people drive cars around here, and resulting traffic is horrendous.

The motors automatically shut off at 20 mph regardless of terrain, and perhaps you should read the OP again.

Ebikes and ignorance appear to be inseparable. It is hard to argue against an intelligent person using facts and impossible to argue with "others" who use no facts, just emotions.

Have you read up on these new e bikes? 3 or 4 classes. Class one is power assisted pedaling. The bike does not go anywhere unless you pedal. No throttle, with various levels of assist. The same assist cuts out once you hit 20 mph. And there you go. Sort of like a built in tail wind. Nice. No car involved. Or old school, "my bike is better than yours attitude" Just another, efficient clean way to get around. Different classes have different regs. Another class cuts out at 28 mph. Just think of all those KOM holders gasping in horror.

It's almost as if a few cyclists exist in a narcissistic vacuum driven by ego. Every argument they use I've already heard a 1000 times from motorists ranting about cyclists. Par for the course, BF is the only place I've encountered issues, IRL my interactions with others have been entirely positive.

Kind of like calling others names like "fat", "pests", "jerks", or "puny"? You're the one who made the choice to hijack the thread to set the negative and unproductive tone.

I came to the point where I needed to make a choice, I'm already on the road 8 to 10 hours a day driving a semi, I didn't want to add to that by starting and finishing my day by driving to commute.

I commute on a Class 2 e-bike, and if it wasn't for that I probably wouldn't be bike commuting. Sure I'd still ride one of my conventional bikes during the weekend, but it's really nice going to and from work every day on a bike and not having to worry much about crazy headwinds and hills. My fitness has actually improved, but that's because I choose to ride using the lowest level assist. So long as folks are getting out of cars and on to bikes then it's a win.

The ebike wave for commuters is here and growing. Hugely popular in the EU( how much is gas?) and growing by leaps and bounds in the USA. Big push by most of the bike makers ( where are they based?) Trying to tap a new market. Just look in any LBS. Lots of appeal to someone new to bike commuting or not in top shape. Grocery getter, errands, long trips, for sport. Nice. One less car. Class 1 PAS are treated like bikes in most areas, subject to local regulations. Who wants to see one less person sitting in rush hour traffic in a giant SUV alone? Me. Who could be against such smart tech? Seems like a perfect application.

Yes, old news.
In much of Europe e-bikes capable of 28+ mph are now classed as pedelecs, and subject to their own unique regulations separate from standard e-bikes.

Regulating, not banning. Did you actually read the article? The netherlands have SO much bike traffic they have whole separate areas for bikes. A license for faster ones, moped regs and stuff. That country is so far ahead in terms of bike use than so many others.

The more the merrier. Most people get it. Some never will.