I think this is the issue I have with E-bikes currently. The manufacturers are really selling them without acknowledging the potential access issues and that grates.
I met a Devinchi industry group (Devinchi truck at the trailhead; all on Devinchi bikes) taking E-bikes up Lord of the Squirrels during Crankworx who said "it's okay we've turned the motors off today" (they clearly hadn't as well as they were really moving along in a way someone pedalling 45+lb of bike wouldn't be).
They rode right past a sign saying "no motorized traffic" and the argument made was that it was about concerns with pollution into the watershed so no issue with Ebikes. Taking that to its logical conclusion electric dirt bikes would be fine on LoTS......
As an example Alberta parks have clearly decreed that E-bikes are motorized but local sellers in Calgary probably won't tell you that when you buy one and enforcement is tricky. Only the most on the ball CO will be able to spot the difference so perhaps it'll be easier just to ban bikes? OK I'm talking worst case scenario but it's there.......
From: [https://www.albertaparks.ca/albertaparksca/about-us/contact-us/faqs/](https://www.albertaparks.ca/albertaparksca/about-us/contact-us/faqs/)
Question: Can I use my E-Bike in provincial parks?
Answer:
E-bikes (aka “power bicycle” defined by the Alberta Traffic Safety Act, or “power-assisted bicycle” by Transport Canada) are not permitted on non-motorized trails.
Unless the trail signs in a park authorize the use of motorized vehicles, e-bikes / power bicycles cannot be used on the trails (only on the roadway/parking areas). The exception to this is that power bicycles may be used in most Natural Areas (unless the access signs or trail signs prohibit the use of motorized vehicles).
Alberta Parks may designate trails or trail segments for e-bikes/power-assisted bicycles in the future.
Alberta Transportation provides the following resources that clarify the use of power bicycles on roadways:
[https://www.transportation.alberta.ca/content/docType45/Production/smallvehiclesinab3.pdf](https://www.transportation.alberta.ca/content/docType45/Production/smallvehiclesinab3.pdf)
[http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType41/Production/small\_vehicle\_booklet_final.pdf1](http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType41/Production/small_vehicle_booklet_final.pdf1)
Sept. 18, 2018, 1:06 p.m. - Sweaman2
I think this is the issue I have with E-bikes currently. The manufacturers are really selling them without acknowledging the potential access issues and that grates. I met a Devinchi industry group (Devinchi truck at the trailhead; all on Devinchi bikes) taking E-bikes up Lord of the Squirrels during Crankworx who said "it's okay we've turned the motors off today" (they clearly hadn't as well as they were really moving along in a way someone pedalling 45+lb of bike wouldn't be). They rode right past a sign saying "no motorized traffic" and the argument made was that it was about concerns with pollution into the watershed so no issue with Ebikes. Taking that to its logical conclusion electric dirt bikes would be fine on LoTS...... As an example Alberta parks have clearly decreed that E-bikes are motorized but local sellers in Calgary probably won't tell you that when you buy one and enforcement is tricky. Only the most on the ball CO will be able to spot the difference so perhaps it'll be easier just to ban bikes? OK I'm talking worst case scenario but it's there....... From: [https://www.albertaparks.ca/albertaparksca/about-us/contact-us/faqs/](https://www.albertaparks.ca/albertaparksca/about-us/contact-us/faqs/) Question: Can I use my E-Bike in provincial parks? Answer: E-bikes (aka “power bicycle” defined by the Alberta Traffic Safety Act, or “power-assisted bicycle” by Transport Canada) are not permitted on non-motorized trails. Unless the trail signs in a park authorize the use of motorized vehicles, e-bikes / power bicycles cannot be used on the trails (only on the roadway/parking areas). The exception to this is that power bicycles may be used in most Natural Areas (unless the access signs or trail signs prohibit the use of motorized vehicles). Alberta Parks may designate trails or trail segments for e-bikes/power-assisted bicycles in the future. Alberta Transportation provides the following resources that clarify the use of power bicycles on roadways: [https://www.transportation.alberta.ca/content/docType45/Production/smallvehiclesinab3.pdf](https://www.transportation.alberta.ca/content/docType45/Production/smallvehiclesinab3.pdf) [http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType41/Production/small\_vehicle\_booklet_final.pdf1](http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType41/Production/small_vehicle_booklet_final.pdf1)