I am a strong advocate for Ebikes for both trail and commuter use. In British Columbia, I think the proliferation of ebikes has the potential to create the greatest net-win situation in the Province's history of mountain biking. I watched hundreds of people (who were not 'core' before) come into the shop, pick up expensive ebikes, and then get hooked. So what's different? These people are at the point in their lives where they have money, political connections, time, and advocacy power that we've never had before. Dirtbags like me could never make those connections or have that kind of influence. Local riding associations should be salvating at the mouth.
But this relies on these people being able to approach their friends and connections and have conversations about their eMTB/eCommute experiences without their friends being tainted by stories and experiences of unrestricted ebikes crashing down on them on the trails or riding on sidewalks. If we don't police ourselves, there's risk that unrestricted e-bikes get lumped in with the SURONs fake e-moto crowd. And then we lose this golden opportunity to change trail access for the better for all MTB riders forever.
So frankly, if I had a friend who was scooting around on an unrestricted ebike on the trails, I wouldn't be spreading that news - or worse, publishing my apparent approval of the practice.
March 2, 2023, 9:27 a.m. - Lu Kz
I am a strong advocate for Ebikes for both trail and commuter use. In British Columbia, I think the proliferation of ebikes has the potential to create the greatest net-win situation in the Province's history of mountain biking. I watched hundreds of people (who were not 'core' before) come into the shop, pick up expensive ebikes, and then get hooked. So what's different? These people are at the point in their lives where they have money, political connections, time, and advocacy power that we've never had before. Dirtbags like me could never make those connections or have that kind of influence. Local riding associations should be salvating at the mouth. But this relies on these people being able to approach their friends and connections and have conversations about their eMTB/eCommute experiences without their friends being tainted by stories and experiences of unrestricted ebikes crashing down on them on the trails or riding on sidewalks. If we don't police ourselves, there's risk that unrestricted e-bikes get lumped in with the SURONs fake e-moto crowd. And then we lose this golden opportunity to change trail access for the better for all MTB riders forever. So frankly, if I had a friend who was scooting around on an unrestricted ebike on the trails, I wouldn't be spreading that news - or worse, publishing my apparent approval of the practice.