Kinda depends on the trail: If it’s MTB trail, prohibiting ebikes is pretty reasonable because they are way heavier and cause a lot of damage. There’s also assholes who rip by on illegally modified ebikes at 30+mph through crowded paths.
To a degree, some sort or regulation seems pretty reasonable (stick to speed limits, don’t take bikes with e-assist on trails that prohibit them/aren’t built for them, etc.)
I understand the weight issue, but what good does making all e-bikes illegal do to prevent people using already illegal e-bikes? If the issue is people illegally modifying their bikes, then that should be what is enforced, not making things illegal for those following the rules.
Most of the trails in the city I live in have a 20 km/h speed limit. I tend to see a lot more regular bikes exceeding that than I do e-bikes. But regardless of type of bike, they should both be stopped for going too fast.
Weight restrictions also seem silly, a trail is going to get the same amount of damage if a bike + person weighs 300+ pounds, regardless of whether that’s a bike packer, a very heavy person on a bike, or an ebike. Or someone riding that ungodly heavy new Brompton.
Speed limits seem more practical, but the only people I’ve seen dangerously overtaking have been the spandex types that have zero time for things like traffic laws while grinding for PRs on Strava. Men of a certain age :P
Yeah, I’m with you. A fully paved “trail” that’s virtually flat and wide enough to accommodate multiple pedestrians? Fine with me, provided they’re not whipping by without giving people proper berth.
A walking path in a park that allows bikes? Maybe. Use your best judgement. Don’t be an asshole and put people in danger or make them feel unsafe in an environment that’s supposed to be relaxing.
On off-road trail built for mountain bikes? No. That’s just asking for an accident to happen, either from a crash or from over-stressing/tearing up the trail.
Kinda depends on the trail: If it’s MTB trail, prohibiting ebikes is pretty reasonable because they are way heavier and cause a lot of damage. There’s also assholes who rip by on illegally modified ebikes at 30+mph through crowded paths.
To a degree, some sort or regulation seems pretty reasonable (stick to speed limits, don’t take bikes with e-assist on trails that prohibit them/aren’t built for them, etc.)
I understand the weight issue, but what good does making all e-bikes illegal do to prevent people using already illegal e-bikes? If the issue is people illegally modifying their bikes, then that should be what is enforced, not making things illegal for those following the rules.
Most of the trails in the city I live in have a 20 km/h speed limit. I tend to see a lot more regular bikes exceeding that than I do e-bikes. But regardless of type of bike, they should both be stopped for going too fast.
Weight restrictions also seem silly, a trail is going to get the same amount of damage if a bike + person weighs 300+ pounds, regardless of whether that’s a bike packer, a very heavy person on a bike, or an ebike. Or someone riding that ungodly heavy new Brompton.
Speed limits seem more practical, but the only people I’ve seen dangerously overtaking have been the spandex types that have zero time for things like traffic laws while grinding for PRs on Strava. Men of a certain age :P
Yeah, I’m with you. A fully paved “trail” that’s virtually flat and wide enough to accommodate multiple pedestrians? Fine with me, provided they’re not whipping by without giving people proper berth.
A walking path in a park that allows bikes? Maybe. Use your best judgement. Don’t be an asshole and put people in danger or make them feel unsafe in an environment that’s supposed to be relaxing.
On off-road trail built for mountain bikes? No. That’s just asking for an accident to happen, either from a crash or from over-stressing/tearing up the trail.