Posted by: Ddean
Posted by: syncro
Posted by: fartymarty
Logically ebikes must cause more trail wear as you can cover twice the distance in the same time as a non ebikes. Hence twice the trail wear.
no - that's not correct nor logical. yes, ebikes have the potential to cause more trail wear but it doesn't mean they necessarily will and there is no real support for the notion that ebikes will cause twice the trail wear as a pedal bike. we could also just as easily say that in order to limit or reduce trail wear we won't allow any more new riders into the sport, for two riders will cause twice as much wear as one. we could also say that people can only ride two days per week, for if they ride four days per week they will cause twice the trail wear.
I think what he means is that assuming that they cause no more wear per equal distance as a pedal bike, that because you're going twice as far there is in total twice the wear on the trails - same amount of wear on any specific trail but more wear overall due to distance travelled. Makes sense to me, although assuming equal wear per foot travelled is a generous assumption. More power should equal more wear.
First, there is an assumption being made that the e-bike IS actually going twice as far. It may be able to ascend more quickly than the average non ebike, but that doesn't necessarily mean the ebike is going any farther during a given ride.
Second, trail wear is heavily dependant by riding technique and behaviour. I have seen more than enough riders lock up their rear brake to steer through a fresh layer loam and no motor was involved. IMO, this is not dependent on the choice of bike being used but rather the operator.
Third, the idea of licensing ebikes, let alone non e-bikes, will never happen because it's already been tried. Some states and provinces required bikes to have plates wa-a-a-y back but was deemed largely unenforceable, and a waste of resources. I think we can all agree that ICBC and/or the police have much higher priorities than verifying that ebike owners haven't tampered with their software and sensors.
I have no plans to buy an e-MTB, but a commuter bike for my 30 km commute... hmmm.