Leebo

MR, Canada, so many rules and regs down south here. The topic was touring on e bikes. And the post of where motorized vehicles are allowed. Dude. Bikes don't have motors, E bikes are something else. Tool? Hmm, there's a good word.

jefnvk

And I'll agree there are fair points in the prohibition direction as well. To me, acceptable is pedal assist that cuts out over a speed that any moderately fit person could accomplish on a bike. I.e., the bike helps you, but no more than a fit person could ride under their own abilities.

I just view looking at it as any motor is the same as a 250cc dirtbike throwing rooster tails is a bit simplistic. I worked with a older guy who had gone through a few surgeries who had an ebike (who couldn't really ride a regular bike), he was tamer on it than me without a motor, I just see no reason to exclude him from accessing natural resources that his tax money also supports in the way I can.

Leebo

This needs a separate post. MA rider here, motorized vehicles not allowed for the most part in this state on multi use off road trails. Got an ADA HP card? No issues. One still has to pedal an e bike. It's just assist. Fat, old and lazy is not an HP. Uggg.

350htrr

Never said anything about whether it was legal or not... I was just pointing out that not all E-Bikes operate the same way, even tho they all have motors

EDIT; Ooops... I guess you were maybe talking to another Canadian.

jefnvk

And if that ebike gets them at least out and doing that, I still think that is a far bigger win than them sitting home. Not that any of those besides old really describe him.

I could also point to the elderly gentleman I met on an organized tour this summer, on an electric recumbent trike. Dedicated cyclist since the 1960s, but he had grown too old and unstable for a two wheeler and didn't have the ability to pedal that uphill. He was happy to still be able to be on the ride he founded in 1971 to promote cyclist safety, even if he was getting a bit of help.

To me, there is no downside in allowing moderate assists, it simply allows more people access, and the last thing I'd want is a joke of a licensing scheme to attempt to keep it to only those deemed worthy. I know how well that worked for medicinal pot and crossbow hunting in Michigan.

linus

Canada ain't wild wild west either.

The OP topic was, but our conversation went off from that long time ago.

Some bikes have motors. In civilized world, we call them motorcycle, moped, scooters, and etc.

Leebo

My only issues concerns motorized vehicles on multi use off road paths, guessing MI has some more woods and less people than MA. As said, the ADA would cover most of those issues.

mstateglfr 

Very well said.

Each March thru July I ride with a bunch of risk teens a few times a week in preparation for them riding RAGBRAI. Its goal planning, socialization, responsibility practice, etcetcetc.
Anyways, one of the mentors is an older(late 60s) woman who has a couple e-assist bikes. She has a trike and a hybrid and got them after multiple knee surgeries. While its frustrating to be passed by her when climbing hills, my frustration is really just in the moment envy and if i had a rope i would hitch a ride!
All seriousness, those bikes allow her to continue to do what she loves- ride bikes and help improve the lives of kids.
She is an ex-principal of an alternative high school and she still actively races BMX track. She is the oldest national champ for her division a few times now. Tougher than I am for sure!


Thats just 1 example, but it hits home for me- I cant get too worked up as e-assist allows some to continue doing what they love. There just isnt a downside to that.

alan s 

I support using taxpayer dollars to build handicap, 4 wheel drive, snowmobile, ATV and e-bike accessible trails everywhere, so that we don’t deprive anyone of anything. Everyone should be able to go anywhere with any vehicle they choose. Otherwise they are being deprived of their rights.

BigAura

I call BB! I see people all the time on the MUP flying along a 20mph with a no-effort-spin.

The amount of pressure is minimal. It's a no-sweat-effort-level. In fact that's what the marketing brochures say!

Just take a look at the chain ring that you're required-to-turn to switch on the motor that propels you.

It's a BOGUS BAMBOOZLE!

jamawani 

Two off-topic directions which this thread has taken:

1. The original poster asked about e-bikes on the GDMBR. Unfortunately, the thread has increasingly focused on the general suitability of e-bikes. E-bikes may or may not be a great thing on the Riverside Trail in Peoria. But it is not Peoria that is the topic of this thread. On the GDMBR, e-bikes are not permitted in certain areas because they are motorized - - and correctly so.

2. A number of posts have included the terms "hate" and "hater". That is absolutely unnecessary and inflammatory. Someone who does not believe that e-bikes should be in remote protected areas is in no way a "hater". Nor does someone "hate" e-bike users because he/she feels that the grey area between electric-assist and fully-electric will likely be abused on city bikeways. One may agree or disagree with this view, but it does not constitute "hate".

axolotl

Well said.

350htrr

and There you go... They were not riding E-Assist bikes, they were riding E-Bikes. The marketing brochure on my set up actually says "you can increase the effort you need to put into pedaling "if" you want to use the assist as an exercising bicycle while riding, (now I am pretty sure, most, even as much as 99.99% of people getting an "E-Bike" do NOT want to do)... BionX Motor Technology| e-bike, electric bicycle systems | ridebionx.com

EDIT; I think you need to re-read what I said, as you seem to have misunderstood what I meant...

cb400bill

This thread has gone too far off of the original topic to save it.

Closed.