What do you think of e-bikes on your favourite trail?

[Karakoram]

Electric mountain bikes are beginning to trickle into the country and will soon find their way on to your favourite MTB trail. What would the appropriate local approach be to these bikes?

 

My immediate reaction is to say no to allowing e-bikes on traditional MTB trails. Mountain biking should remain a non-motorised sport. Riding e-bikes on natural surface trails is not mountain biking. It is preciously difficult to keep mountain bike trails maintained and open as it is. The risk of loosing the goodwill of land owners and loosing access to a trail is very real. Mixing motorised bicycles into the equation is an unknown factor and could easily sour the deal for all.

 

What constitutes an e-bike has been defined in some countries, but I am uncertain about the local situation. The problem is that electric mountain bikes are getting more powerful all the time and it would be difficult to regulate if an e-bike is within or over specification. The battery assisted power provided by these bikes could easily lead to irresponsible use of trails. Dedicated trails for e-bikes is my second reaction. These bikes are the new kids on the block, they need to establish their own playground.

 

It is not all negative. These bikes would be great for commuting, even a boon to mounted trail marshals, guided tour groups and dirt track touring.

 

I am not sure if event organizers have considered what to do about e-bike entries?

[rouxtjie]

Live and let live....the more the merrier.

 

Trails should be open to them, don't understand the fuss.

[Pappa Bear]

they will be classified as "assisted / motorized" vehilces....... therefor not allowed on any tracks that don't allow motorbikes / quads / 4x4 etc.

 

Otherwise, like with the drones (quad-copters), the goverment will be clueless and just ban it!!!!!!!!

[worriesnot]

also don't see an issue.

I do have an issue with a helpmytrap - the two stroke model. they make a big noise an pollute the clean, fresh and lately cold air I am hoping to breathe when riding.

[Pappa Bear]

Live and let live....the more the merrier.

 

Trails should be open to them, don't understand the fuss.

 

As long as it is not a help-my-trap with a pertol engine....... THe irony is that they will propably be faster on the tracks and not a bottleneck!

 

Next thread.............." MTBers hugging the routes of e-bikes!!!"

[MarcBurger]

Unless they end up completely abusing the extra power as a right of way bullying move, I really don't think it'll matter or negatively affect trails.

It'll just be funnier when they fall

[NotSoBigBen]

Whatever blows their hair back I would say for just normal riding be it trails or wherever else but I guess for 'races' some would be upset if beaten by one not so? So I guess in 'events' where positions are important there would have to be some control?

[GLuvsMtb]

If it means that my wife can keep up while we go uphill and I am spared the agony of trying to push her uphill I'm all for it. The real question is where to draw the line, i.e. when does an assisted bike become a motorized bike?

 

I have been looking at these for some time now and it seems like the initial issues are being resolved slowly but surely (weight, poor components, poor build quality and poor battery life / farmed energy retention).

[Johny Bravo]

If it means that my wife can keep up while we go uphill and I am spared the agony of trying to push her uphill I'm all for it. The real question is where to draw the line, i.e. when does an assisted bike become a motorized bike?

 

I have been looking at these for some time now and it seems like the initial issues are being resolved slowly but surely (weight, poor components, poor build quality and poor battery life / farmed energy retention).

absolutely agree, even younger kids.

[Flowta]

As long as they are below a certain power, it's unlikely they'll cause much damage. Most of the benefit will come on the uphill sections and if the rider is seated the will be less likely to break traction and spinout than someone standing on the pedals trying to get up.

 

Downhill, things start to even out way more in terms of speed

[Karakoram]

Maybe I am over reacting. I've seen the speeds these things can attain on the road in Barcelona and I am concerned that similar off-road speeds will present trail maintenance problems and rider conflict and encourage even more powerful cycles to also feel they have a right to use the trail. I have seen what damage a motorcycle does to our trails.

[CAAD4]

Heaven forbid! The Stravassholes will have a fit....

[rouxtjie]

As long as they are below a certain power, it's unlikely they'll cause much damage. Most of the benefit will come on the uphill sections and if the rider is seated the will be less likely to break traction and spinout than someone standing on the pedals trying to get up.

 

Downhill, things start to even out way more in terms of speed

agree, care rocks....

 

HOWEVER if you going to buy one and ride in our group you will be ragged to the end of days so not really an option....hahaaaa

[dirtrider]

They should not be allowed on MTB trails . Like the OP said , these things are not regulated , so I am going to put a 1000GW motor into mine that will go from 0 -100 in 2 seconds and come and rip up the trail and while I am at it go over you because it takes you to long to get up the hill . Then we must also allow electric MX bikes to use the trails .

[Dirkitech]

As long as there is ZERO pollution!

 

oh yeah, and wtf, strava will have to add a new discipline to run and ride- motorcycling

[mudda]

Electric bikes wont really fill up the trails ...

 

The dudes who buy them arnt real cyclists ... They will be used a few times then locked in the garage.

 

No need to worry.