Do eBikes belong on the mountain?

[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.

[GaryP]

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.

Hey. In my opinion, ebikes are not motorbikes even though they do have motors. I have personally seen the result of motorbikes on trails and again, in my opinion, their impact seemed much greater to me than ebikes. Cheers.

[Duane_Bosch]

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.

An Ebike makes about 500w which is less than 1 BHP. It also weighs about 25kg. So very little difference to a strong rider on a normal bike.

 

A motocross bike makes about 30bhp and the wheels go a LOT faster. The tires are designed to tear at the ground. They also weigh more than 120kg so your logic is off.

 

They are loads of fun and they are here to stay.

Edited May 16, 2019 by Duane_Bosch

[Ascension]

An Ebike makes about 500w which is less than 1 BHP. It also weighs about 25kg. So very little difference to a strong rider on a normal bike.

 

A motocross bike makes about 30bhp and the wheels go a LOT faster. The tires are designed to tear at the ground. They also weigh more than 120kg so your logic is off.

 

They are loads of fun and they are here to stay.

 

But soon an eBike will make 2000w. 1 Motocross bike can rip up a mtb trail in 1 go. An eBike might not be able to that yes, but there will be many eBikes, and they will do major damage to trails compared to mtbs.

[BigDL]

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.

Agree with you, however the questions being posed here is should electric motorbikes be allowed on MTB trails?

[MrJacques]

Agree with you, however the questions being posed here is should electric motorbikes be allowed on MTB trails?

 

I think they will do too much damage to the trails and be a safety risk to other trail users, so no.

[Duane_Bosch]

But soon an eBike will make 2000w. 1 Motocross bike can rip up a mtb trail in 1 go. An eBike might not be able to that yes, but there will be many eBikes, and they will do major damage to trails compared to mtbs.

So eBikes are going to quadruple their power output? I doubt that VERY much. Do you know this or did you just make that up?

 

What do you base your damage statement on? I've done a fair bit of trail maintenance in my time and most trail damage I've seen is as a result of water runoff.