Sept. 4, 2014, 12:28 p.m. -  Pete Roggeman

#!markdown The example you list of your parents is great, but are they riding trails or bike paths and gravel roads? I'll assume it's the latter and if so, that isn't really the argument at hand. If they are riding trails, I still think it's great to hear, of course, but the points being discussed still apply. In your case, your parents may be responsible trail users who give back in one way or another, but using one personal anecdote doesn't counter the concerns regarding the many who aren't as responsible. Similarly, just because you don't like riding an e-bike without pedaling isn't really valid; you've already told us you're a shop rat so we assume you love riding. I'm the same way, by the way - not attacking, just playing devil's advocate. Trail bans are because e-bikes have been placed in motorized vehicle categories by state and federal governments. FYI bicycles are not allowed on trails in US National Parks, either, because they are categorized the same way motorized vehicles are by the feds. Obviously we as mountain bikers think that's ludicrous, but it's the way it is.