EbikeHawaii

When ebikes are legal again in Hawaii Up hill rentals to go up and down the volcano will have less overhead and liabilities than the banned downhill tours had. The void in the 9 million plus $ per year industury would not be any competition to replace with ebike rentals..
https://tinyurl.com/26kywk

Abneycat

I don't personally understand the point of this thread, because it just seems like you're taking enjoyment in the loss of other businesses.

EbikeHawaii

For many reasons the ban was put into effect Mostly because of TOURS in large groups taking up too much road space on a confined route. Ebike rentals on the whole island would give a tourist choices of routes and hills would be no problem to ride up without having to trailer the bikes anywhere.
The politics of the downhill bike companies did have much to do with making ebikes illegal so what a shame it will turn against them.
Where there is a void somthing else will try to fill it... Its called business!

Abneycat

Well, your personal opinion is noted, but it doesn't really fit in this forum? Sounds more like business politics than anything to me, although i'm curious to know *why* electric bikes are "banned" in Hawaii now. Wikipedia simply states that they're not banned, but rather are universally considered to be mopeds.

Lowell_

Just Randy bending the truth to fit his agenda as usual.

Sianelle 

That's really silly. Here in NZ electric bikes are treated the same as ordinary bicycles and don't need any form of registration. Mind you our government very much wants to promote alternative forms of transport so that's a major reason why I can ride around for free on my e.trike, but if I put a petrol motor on it of the same wattage rating I would need to get it registered as a motor vehicle.

Brian

I think you're allowed up to 200W in Australia. But I do agree that it's inappropriate to take any joy in bicycles being banned for any reason.

Lowell_

I'm not exactly sure how going down a mountain on an ebike will be safer than riding downhill on a regular pedal bike. Perhaps it's the riders and equipment that need evaluation.

Brian

I'm sure that extra 40lbs or so will make the bikes safer.

Abneycat

Well, what he's referring to is the difference between large tours and individual/small run use, I think. Having personal experience as a cyclist in solo/small group tours and in large tours: the mechanics, styling, logistics and execution of both are *quite* different.

Large groups provide more forgiveness for breakdowns/technical mistakes. Smaller groups provide more forgiveness for riding style differences/riding mistakes. That has nothing to do with what you're riding, it simply has to do with how the decisions of yourself and those around you can impact one another. Literally.

This is like comparing apples to oranges. These two styles of touring really aren't interconnected, neither are the business models behind them. For the most part each cyclist much prefers one style or the other, you'll often find that people will be totally married to either solo/small group touring *or* large group touring. I personally will not be going on another large group tour, simply due to lack of personal freedom in going where I want to go, stopping where I want to stop.

derath

Bikes aren't banned. Just the commercial tours. You can ride up and down on your own if you want.

-D

Sianelle 

Ah, that will be why my 250watt hub motor has a 200watt switchover on the motor controller. Mind you most of the time I use the 200watt option because I like to pedal with the hub motor and the batteries last longer.