Why is everyone getting their panties in a knot? Let us also allow everyone to do as they wish - ride a normal pedal powered bike or an e-bike. Everyone has the same rights. The OP asked whether they belong on a mountain - my question would be: why not? For me, there is no obvious reason why not! And the arguments against might have some validity, but i have some reservations here. A heavier bike is like a heavier rider on a normal bike - thus same impact on trails?! And I am not an ebike rider....and won't be for the next 10 years at least. I will ride with my muscles as long as they allow it. And I do a lot of events. If there is an event that caters for both, then I would consider it obvious that there would be separate categories - as it currently is for different distances. The trick would be starting times as there will again be disparate achievement/capability levels of competitors. Mixing both on a mountain trail i would agree might lead to some frustration - but this also needs to be tested. Lastly, a thing to remember is: those ebikes are heavier thus "harder" to descend with, again, depending on skill levels. So they might be quicker uphill (depending on traction/underground) but possibly slower downhill. Does this even it all out? Not quite, as one makes way more time uphill. But riding in separate groups/starting times would make this point moot. Anyway, my point is, each to their own. Everyone is allowed to make a choice and go where they like. One group doesn't have more rights than the other.
