How about weight and destructiveness in power terms? Ebikes have a lot of low end torque that is capable of destroying nature. They shouldn’t be on nature trails. Just the bike itself is about 3x heavier than a normal bike, and even the capability of going 25mph - they shouldn’t be allowed.
I am on board with coming up with these lines. I’d say though that my wife’s normal bike is 50 lbs and my ebike is 60. but a weight line, I don’t know - is 100lbs it?
when I made my comment I was thinking of “e-motorbikes” vs ebikes, thinking the power for motorbikes would be too much.
it’s a fair point about speed - perhaps setting speed limits in parks could be enforced, (not sure) or park Rangers could determine bike validity based on power but there seems to be ways to fake that or change dynamically.
In Finland and most of EU ebikes with 250W motor and speed limited to 25kph (15mph) are clasified as bicycles and you’re allowed to ride those where ever you are allowed to ride bikes aswell. However motorized vehicles (not pedal assist) you’re not allowed to ride anywhere except public roads or private property with permission so even a Surron with a 250W motor and limited to 25kph but no pedals would be off-limits.
noise/fumes from one and the ability to go faster than 40? there’s a line in there somewhere that feels reasonable.
How about weight and destructiveness in power terms? Ebikes have a lot of low end torque that is capable of destroying nature. They shouldn’t be on nature trails. Just the bike itself is about 3x heavier than a normal bike, and even the capability of going 25mph - they shouldn’t be allowed.
I am on board with coming up with these lines. I’d say though that my wife’s normal bike is 50 lbs and my ebike is 60. but a weight line, I don’t know - is 100lbs it? when I made my comment I was thinking of “e-motorbikes” vs ebikes, thinking the power for motorbikes would be too much.
it’s a fair point about speed - perhaps setting speed limits in parks could be enforced, (not sure) or park Rangers could determine bike validity based on power but there seems to be ways to fake that or change dynamically.
In Finland and most of EU ebikes with 250W motor and speed limited to 25kph (15mph) are clasified as bicycles and you’re allowed to ride those where ever you are allowed to ride bikes aswell. However motorized vehicles (not pedal assist) you’re not allowed to ride anywhere except public roads or private property with permission so even a Surron with a 250W motor and limited to 25kph but no pedals would be off-limits.
Horses are allowed on a lot of trails and are far heavier than any e-bike.
It’s a great thing they don’t have rotating wheels then eh?
I would not want to be drafting a horse at full gallop on soft ground.
It’s a good thing this topic isn’t about horses then.
Hoofs absolutely wreck the trails. They literally carve ditches on the forest floor.