Do eBikes belong on the mountain?

[ChrisF]

Mambat some nice pics !

 

Clearly your son knows how to handle a bike.

 

 

 

 

Sorry, still "looks wrong" to see a kid on an ebike .... not meant as a shitty reply.  Just not something we are used to seeing .....

 

Buy hey, if it works for your family, GO for it.  Frankly, it is about getting out there, whatever your mode of transport.

 

 

 

 

PS - Our little one is turning 8 next month .... and the way his riding has improved over the last 2 years I may well have to get an ebike soon enough to keep up with him ... 

Edited May 15, 2019 by ChrisF

[Patchelicious]

That would be me............. and thanks for the compliment of being called thirty something

 

This would be my son and yes he has just turned 9..... you all welcome to come try keep up with him......

on the DOWNS

 

"I am SURE it can be "justified" .... but it just looked SO wrong seeing an able bodied kid on an ebike ......"

Pretty shitty remark mate????

 

Riding e-bikes together has vastly improved his skill set and his fitness. You try throwing around a bike

that weighs the same as you. My son weighs 26Kg his Giant Stance (Size small not junior-size?) weighs around 24Kg.

 

It has also allowed us to ride all the trails in the Durbanville Hills network. Unbelievable father and son time together where we both can compete like for like. I dont see many other eight year olds doing sub 3:50's

down the Cobra or wait............. see many eight years olds full stop on those trails.

 

And for the record my son has a dirt jump bike, bmx and a Giant Trance but the best times we have TOGETHER is on our ebikes.

 

ChrisF - Maybe come join us for an e-Bike ride.... You welcome to borrow my wife's and see if you can keep up? Both on the ups and the downs     

 

I warn you once you go E.... there is no turning back!

No its not, and if you cant see how it is a plain straight forward questions, well then there is little point in debating.

 

Can I ask why do you and your entire family ride eBikes? If its about your small son keeping up with you, why do you need an eBike too? Doesn't that counter the advantage it gives him?

[MORNE]

snip.

 

I warn you once you go E.... there is no turning back!

I concur, you'll suck riding a normal bicycle for the rest of your life?  

[Jewbacca]

Why can't the guy ride an e-bike with his son?

 

Geez... Next people are going to be judged because they wear fleece in public and dress their children in tracksuits.

 

Stop being so judgy. It is obviously really special family time and it works. Why must he justify how he spends his time with his son to anyone? 

 

If I choose to paddle out on a soft top board when I teach my son to surf on a soft top, will other surfers judge me? No. They will be stoked that dad is teaching up a new shredder to join the line up. 

 

Get off your high horses. This is ridiculous

[Patchelicious]

Why can't the guy ride an e-bike with his son?

 

Geez... Next people are going to be judged because they wear fleece in public and dress their children in tracksuits.

 

Stop being so judgy. It is obviously really special family time and it works. Why must he justify how he spends his time with his son to anyone? 

 

If I choose to paddle out on a soft top board when I teach my son to surf on a soft top, will other surfers judge me? No. They will be stoked that dad is teaching up a new shredder to join the line up. 

 

Get off your high horses. This is ridiculous

Who said he cant?

 

I asked why he does, based on his statement that his son is small and having an eBike helps him keep up with his dad. That makes sense, but it doesn't square back to why the dad has one. so I asked. I am allowed to ask, he doesn't need to answer.

Edited May 16, 2019 by Patchelicious

[MORNE]

snip

 

i know its a bit off topic and it will certainly trigger someone, but since it has already steered in that direction i'll ad this: 

 

To me it is more a question of what you are teaching a 7/8/9y old etc by getting them a ±R100k 'toy'....whatever it is. 

 

Anyway, i'll let myself out now. It's Friday tomorrow only

[Jewbacca]

Who said he cant?

 

I asked why he does, based on his statement that his son is small and having an eBike helps him keep up with his dad. That makes sense, but it doesn't square back to why the dad has one. so I asked. I am allowed to ask, he doesn't need to answer.

But why?

 

The tone and the direction pangs of judgement and persecution. I can understand that if he was doing something illegal or not quite kosher, but being asked to justify how he spends positive time with his boy is just wrong.

 

They are both having fun in a really harmless, good willed, positive manner. 

 

That should be answer enough and it's plain to see from the pictures.

 

I say good on you chap. Too many parents are too lazy to teach their children rad skills or even spend that quality one on one time with them.

 

I say give the man a bells for being a good dad. Not harass him for something which doesn't concern you 

[Jewbacca]

i know its a bit off topic and it will certainly trigger someone, but since it has already steered in that direction i'll ad this: 

 

To me it is more a question of what you are teaching a 7/8/9y old etc by getting them a ±R100k 'toy'....whatever it is. 

 

Anyway, i'll let myself out now. It's Friday tomorrow only

hahaha financial implications vary for everyone I suppose.

 

Some people have lots, some people borrow lots and most people don't have the option of either.

 

If nice toys come with appreciation and good values, there is no harm in it. But yes, if said toys are neglected and come with a sense of entitlement, one is just creating another self entitled spoiled brat.

 

The two are not mutually exclusive.

[Patchelicious]

But why?

 

The tone and the direction pangs of judgement and persecution. I can understand that if he was doing something illegal or not quite kosher, but being asked to justify how he spends positive time with his boy is just wrong.

 

They are both having fun in a really harmless, good willed, positive manner.

 

That should be answer enough and it's plain to see from the pictures.

 

I say good on you chap. Too many parents are too lazy to teach their children rad skills or even spend that quality one on one time with them.

 

I say give the man a bells for being a good dad. Not harass him for something which doesn't concern you

One question on clarifying something that doesn’t square up, based on a post that he made is not “harassment” come on dude, that’s a bit dramatic.

 

Again, and as I have said many times before, I couldn’t care less if people ride eBikes. What often confuses me is the “justifications” that are given don’t always square up. There is nothing wrong with “because I want one”.

 

Maybe let him answer, if he feels like it. Unless you are the wife or the son, it doesn’t concern you either, so I guess we are in the same boat.

Edited May 16, 2019 by Patchelicious

[GaryP]

I have been watching this thread with some interest. The only question I have is:

 

WHO CARES IF SOMEONE, OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL, CHOOSES TO RIDE AN EBIKE OR NOT?

 

Who am I to judge? So what if I don't like ebikes? So what if I do? 

 

The only thing that should matter, in my opinion, is that we all love riding our bikes, whether those are ebikes or not. That should surely be enough??

 

Cheers.

[MrJacques]

I have been watching this thread with some interest. The only question I have is:

 

WHO CARES IF SOMEONE, OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL, CHOOSES TO RIDE AN EBIKE OR NOT?

 

Who am I to judge? So what if I don't like ebikes? So what if I do? 

 

The only thing that should matter, in my opinion, is that we all love riding our bikes, whether those are ebikes or not. That should surely be enough??

 

Cheers.

 

As long as they don't rip up and damage trails, as motorcycles often do.

 

Not sure if it's been discussed here, but e-bikes are usually faster as well and could pose a an increased safety hazard over normal mtbs - for those riding them and other trail users?

[Ascension]

As long as they don't rip up and damage trails, as motorcycles often do.

 

Not sure if it's been discussed here, but e-bikes are usually faster as well and could pose a an increased safety hazard over normal mtbs - for those riding them and other trail users?

 

This is exactly what is happening. eBikes are much heavier and faster (breaking ruts!) and can do much more damage to trails than a bicycle. As eBikes become more powerful and popular the damage to trails will be huge. More maintenance needed and permit prices will have to up. MTB trails should have had the rule in place, no motorized vehicles allowed!

[GaryP]

As long as they don't rip up and damage trails, as motorcycles often do.

 

Not sure if it's been discussed here, but e-bikes are usually faster as well and could pose a an increased safety hazard over normal mtbs - for those riding them and other trail users?

 

Hi Jacquers. I agree with you. These things should be thoroughly evaluated and appropriate action taken to, as far as possible, limit damage to the environment and improve safety on the trails for all trail users.

 

Cheers.

[GaryP]

This is exactly what is happening. eBikes are much heavier and faster (breaking ruts!) and can do much more damage to trails than a bicycle. As eBikes become more powerful and popular the damage to trails will be huge. More maintenance needed and permit prices will have to up. MTB trails should have had the rule in place, no motorized vehicles allowed!

 

Hi Ascension. If a bike park allows ebikes on its trails then it will need to thoroughly evaluate the impact that these bikes may have on the trails. Then, as is their prerogative, they will need to determine whether to charge all trail users or just the ebike users for any additional maintenance they may have to undertake.  

 

However, to be honest, I can't see how a unilateral decision to ban ebikes from trails will achieve anything constructive. Ciao.

[Ashchest]

My thinking is that perhaps in the future a new Niche will develop for pedal power only trails or sections -  based on cyclist who do not want to share trails with E-bikes for valid reasons.  Obviously there will also be trails for both.

 

Normal bikes and E-bikes automatically generate 2 categories because they are 2 different things, no question about that.   I think naturally over time more differentiation will takes place and the riders / cyclists will set the playing fields.

 

Anyway, I think it is time for me to go out for a pedal ....

[Ascension]

Hi Ascension. If a bike park allows ebikes on its trails then it will need to thoroughly evaluate the impact that these bikes may have on the trails. Then, as is their prerogative, they will need to determine whether to charge all trail users or just the ebike users for any additional maintenance they may have to undertake.  

 

However, to be honest, I can't see how a unilateral decision to ban ebikes from trails will achieve anything constructive. Ciao.

 

I am not suggesting a unilateral banning of eBikes on trails. What I suggest is that if a motorbike is not allowed on the trail then that should include eBikes.