Electric Unicycles on Fromme Trails?

So I was on fromme today and saw a group of around 5-6 of these guys on those electric single-wheel things riding Natural High, having to get off to walk sections and standing on all the features, basically just being in the way. Then about half an hour later I saw two more of them (different group) absolutely ripping up Mtn Hwy and saw them drop into Ladies Only.

Are these things allowed on the trails being that they're completely motorized? Never seen them up there before but saw a ton of them today. Anyone else notice this? I mean, I'm no gatekeeper, but really hoping this isn't a new trend.

Some conversation about these in the eMTB thread. I don't know about a trend but I've seen groups of these guys on Fromme twice since I posted the following.

https://nsmb.com/forum/forum/emtb-forum-26/topic/ebikes-on-the-shore-130284/?post=2486875#post-2486875

I've seen them on Fromme a few times. Last year I saw a guided tour of them trying to make their way up the Legacy climb in Squamish. It was embarrassing as of course they couldn't make it up much and then just stood around being in the way. Then it started to rain and things got ugly. Eventually I saw them coming down the road.

Posted by: craw

I've seen them on Fromme a few times. Last year I saw a guided tour of them trying to make their way up the Legacy climb in Squamish. It was embarrassing as of course they couldn't make it up much and then just stood around being in the way. Then it started to rain and things got ugly. Eventually I saw them coming down the road.

Remember when every ski resort had "all terrain segway tours" in the summer and they were comedically bad? I wonder if this is the next step except they seem to want to ride them on trails and 'real' terrain. Hopefully they'll die out for this purpose like the all terrain segway.

Yeah it seems like kind of a non issue at this point, more like ‘hey good on ya for trying. Hope your buddy’s ok’

Posted by: Jotegir

Posted by: craw

I've seen them on Fromme a few times. Last year I saw a guided tour of them trying to make their way up the Legacy climb in Squamish. It was embarrassing as of course they couldn't make it up much and then just stood around being in the way. Then it started to rain and things got ugly. Eventually I saw them coming down the road.

Remember when every ski resort had "all terrain segway tours" in the summer and they were comedically bad? I wonder if this is the next step except they seem to want to ride them on trails and 'real' terrain. Hopefully they'll die out for this purpose like the all terrain segway.

If you watch the vids of the people that really know how to ride these things they look like a lot of fun. I was contemplating getting one or a big wheel and using it for the odd commute, but with the city's recent ban I don't know if it's worth it. Although I think it's more to keep them off of busy streets.

Posted by: syncro

but with the city's recent ban I don't know if it's worth it. Although I think it's more to keep them off of busy streets.

Do tell more?!

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/electric-unicycles-illegal-vancouver-streets

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/electric-unicycle-regulations-bc-fines-insurance-1.6909463

Posted by: syncro

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/electric-unicycles-illegal-vancouver-streets

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/electric-unicycle-regulations-bc-fines-insurance-1.6909463

To be fair I absolutely hate encountering any ebike or micromobility device on the sidewalk 100% of the time unless they're being walked. They're a nuisance. That being said they are a practical alternative for getting around that make sense for a lot of people and if that means fewer cars then cool. But should they require insurance? And if they require insurance shouldn't cyclists and ebike riders require insurance also?

I got hit on August 3rd while riding to the Shore from East Van by a micromobility type electric scooter. Three teens came around a blind corner from a merging path by New Brighton Park at ~30 km/hr and the second one smoked me. Deep bone bruise on the ankle where the scooter hit me, but otherwise OK.

Lots of people have been asking me what recourse exists in a situation like this. My pedal axle was bent and will need replacement, but beyond that and the injury the bike and body are fine, so it's just a move on type situation for me in this particular case. The insurance situation is definitely a slippery slope.

Most people have homeowners or condo owners or renters insurance that would provide liability coverage to the insured person for such an accident. But check your policy and ask your broker questions. Certain risks will be excluded of course. Things that are out of the ordinary or better insured elsewhere such as motor vehicle insurance. 

And one can always sue a person insured or not for recovery of damages.

Posted by: craw

Posted by: syncro

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/electric-unicycles-illegal-vancouver-streets

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/electric-unicycle-regulations-bc-fines-insurance-1.6909463

To be fair I absolutely hate encountering any ebike or micromobility device on the sidewalk 100% of the time unless they're being walked. They're a nuisance. That being said they are a practical alternative for getting around that make sense for a lot of people and if that means fewer cars then cool. But should they require insurance? And if they require insurance shouldn't cyclists and ebike riders require insurance also?

Yup, it's a difficult arena to navigate. I think it mostly comes down to user behaviour. If people behave like idiots there are going to be problems. What sucks is that nitwits are ruining things for people who tend to be more responsible. As usual, the solution to most problems is to just get rid of people. No people, no problem.

Edit: FWIW I think cyclists should require some sort of insurance or license program to participate in. I remember as a kid there used to be a license program for bikes. IIRC the RCMP would come to the school and do a test day and give you a plate for your bike. It wasn't mandatory, but it did provide some sort of measure that the kid on the bike had some sort of training. I feel way too many people on bikes (and other modes of self transportation) don't see themselves as road users with the same responsibilities as vehicle operators. They instead see themselves as entitled pedestrians who think that can do whatever they want with impunity.

Posted by: craw

Posted by: syncro

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/electric-unicycles-illegal-vancouver-streets

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/electric-unicycle-regulations-bc-fines-insurance-1.6909463

To be fair I absolutely hate encountering any ebike or micromobility device on the sidewalk 100% of the time unless they're being walked. They're a nuisance. That being said they are a practical alternative for getting around that make sense for a lot of people and if that means fewer cars then cool. But should they require insurance? And if they require insurance shouldn't cyclists and ebike riders require insurance also?

Insurance and licensing for cyclist isn't a crazy idea, but it is complicated by the age of the riders. Does my 14 year old need it to ride on the road? It's complicated, but a valid question.

the significant issue with these EUCs specifically is that they have no effective braking system; sure they can slow down quickly, but in a panic stop they're in trouble. I've had several close calls with EUC riders, saved only because I have brakes. Considering how fast some of them go, makes sense to me that they're not permitted. Of course enforcement is laughable, as with any vehicular law.

Posted by: craw

Posted by: syncro

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/electric-unicycles-illegal-vancouver-streets

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/electric-unicycle-regulations-bc-fines-insurance-1.6909463

To be fair I absolutely hate encountering any ebike or micromobility device on the sidewalk 100% of the time unless they're being walked. They're a nuisance. That being said they are a practical alternative for getting around that make sense for a lot of people and if that means fewer cars then cool. But should they require insurance? And if they require insurance shouldn't cyclists and ebike riders require insurance also?

I commute on an e-bike on roads / bike paths. I ride significantly faster than most cyclists but am a very defensive/careful rider. I think e-bikes can be an excellent alternative to driving a car, but obviously also a significant risk to others if ridden recklessly.  I can see an argument for requiring e-bike insurance, but I don't think it should be required for all cyclists. As for EUCs, they should not be allowed on the road or bike path IMO. I do find them annoying on the trails, but I don't see them catching on in a big way for off-road riding.