It’s bizarre that the author had multiple different terms for a conventional pushbike, and they are all retrofit nonsense. WTF is an “analog” bike?
E-bikes are for transport. If you want recreational exercise, a bicycle is cheaper, more practical, and more effective.
I remember all the consternation over mountain bikes when lots of people objected (many still do) to mountain bikes on trails, so when I see more e-bikes out on trails, I’m not surprised to see people objecting to that development…I imagine it might be a while before some kind of balance is struck.
But it is rather ironic to see someone that is a fan of mountain biking writing an article on e-bikes…I’m assuming they know that mountain bikes themselves are even still viewed with some amount of hostility?
One other thing, she said that e-bikes are expected to outsell analog bikes at some point? It’s not clear if that’s in the mountain bike category or overall? I could easily see a bifurcation in the type of people on trails riding bikes - those looking to venture out and see things and have fun, with very little or no effort, vs. those doing the same, but also trying to maintain their health and push themselves…
I had a mountain bike as a kid, and I don’t remember anyone being hostile over it. Maybe it was because I never rode it on a mountain.
Snowboards, however! You should’ve seen the hostility on the ski runs in the early 90s. Skiiers hated them.
Even on the road, I show hostility towards larger cars. My car was a sensible size 22 years ago when I got it. Driving a 900kg car in a sea of 1800kg utes and SUVs makes you hyper aware that everyone is in the way more than they should be.
I’m growing into that old man with a rake who snares at their neighbour’s leafblower.
Snowboards, however! You should’ve seen the hostility on the ski runs in the early 90s. Skiiers hated them.
I was actually going to compare that to this situation. I remember a bit of that, even though I came to both a bit late.
When it comes to mountain biking, there is a bit of resentment between some hikers and bikers at times…depending on those involved. Much like everything else…way back when, I remember a certain famous troll that would constantly post on the forum for mountain biking. I get the impression he was an activist against opening up new trails, too.
Sounds like a load of gatekeeping…
I think it’s better to enforce a speed limit and separate between hiking only trails, biking trails, and appropriately widened multi-use pathways.
People that abandon their bike in natural parks should be charged a fine, more than what it would cost to pick up you and your bike.
I think the problem is with idiots, not with ebikes. Every time some new development opens up a field for larger audience, there’s gonna be an “eternal September”
I remember when freestyle scoots became a thing, skateparks were suddenly infested with stupid kids who did not know how to behave there to not cause a danger or frustration for other park users. 15 years later, it’s quite okay already
I do think that ebikes should follow similar rules as mopeds though, requiring a minimum age and a license, them being essentially electric mopeds
Limit ebike speeds to 30kph, about the same max a normal bike can do
Ensure well designed separates bicycle lanes are available everywhere
Apply same rules to bikes and ebikes
30kph is quite fast for a bicycle that heavy, and often heavier loaded than your average bike. For context, my average speed is little bit higher than 20kph when commuting on a bicycle, and I ride a lot.
100% agree with you on the bike lane issue
But if you attach a gasoline engine on a bicycle, it becomes a moped. I don’t see how that’s any different with electric motors
I’d get to 30 easily but yeah, I always pushed for speed. 20-25 should do just fine
All e-bikes are limited to 25km/h by law here. If you stick a speedo (or GPS) on a bike and try to hold 25km/h on flat ground, you realise it’s actually quite a generous limit.
