Ok, let's add walkers/joggers, because they wear those earbuds and move so slow always in the way. Horses that leave massive ruts in the trail and crap all over the place. Never seen a rider climb off the back of a horse with a bag to clean that up. And how about those people that think leash laws don't apply to their dog because their dog is better then yours...

I feel better now. Guess we will just have to hope the state hires "rangers" or something to safeguard us from our selves in the state park.

Was out today doing some trailwork and had a dozen riders come by me on a closed trail system. 
Everyone has things they hate. You either get over it or you do something about it. Try writing a letter to the state board or picketing the front gate demanding change!

Enoch wrote on 01/12/19 at 12:57pm:


Policy came out in 2018 which stated that E-Bikes are not considered motor vehicles in the eyes of our statutes (which bar motor vehicles from being in non designated areas and trails). The policy rambled on about their lack of speed and HP-- blah blah blah. Mopeds will still not be allowed though (and we have found a guy on the trails on a moped-- he did not make it too far.)

To my knowledge, the policy hasn’t changed and the spirit behind the rule is to maintain the health and integrity of the trail.  One day a charity showed up at LNSP which provided disabled/impaired Veterans an opportunity to mountain bike using MTB ebikes.  Who was going to protest that?

As a trail gnome, I am concerned about anything that damages the trail or moves the original designed flow/track.  Many things damage the trail:
1.  Extended drought (loosening the hard pack) followed by intense downpours removing sometimes an inch or more trail surface - not preventable.
2.  Riding on the trails just after a rain (hence the rule no rides until 24 hrs after a rain) - preventable.
3.  Leaves and debris floating into and clogging the drains causing the rain to stay on the tread, sometimes rushing the full downhill length washing out gullys in the trail - preventable (with more volunteers)
4.  Newbies who lock their brakes leaving long skid marks, breaking up the soil which gets washed away with the next rain - preventable   
5.  You get the point.

Motorized bikes (gasoline engines) are forbidden on all our MTB trails.  They produce such torque to the rear tires that it breaks up and loosens the soil on the trail tread.  I’m not sure that ebikes operate in this same fashion - some say they are only electric “motor assist” and still require the biker to exert energy to the pedals.   

In reality, who is going to sit by the trails and police for ebikes?  We can’t even keep chuckleheads from riding after the rain.  (By the way, as a Noobie I and 3 others rode Beatty in deep mud - probably why I am a gnome today - ahh atonement, everybody deserves a second chance)

I saw an ‘old’ guy riding an ebike (‘old’ is older than me - 64) the other day and I wasn’t about to say anything to him.  Heck, I was happy to see him out in the beauty of nature enjoying the short life he had left.  His riding style was certainly not damaging the trail.

I guess that’s the bottom line for me...don’t damage the trails.

Why do people keep bringing up ebikes and why they dont like them? If you dont like ebikes dont ever buy one. If they pass you- so what! Anyway how often do you even see one on the trails? 
Points to remember- They are very expensive so the market will always be small.
They are really heavy- over 45 lbs.
They cater to older bike riders- 50+.  Not a huge market vs the mountain bike market of people under 50. 

If you need to say something to someone riding one ask them to join the TT and help build and maintain trails in our area.

FMWilly wrote on 01/12/19 at 7:09pm:


These are good points..

Ebikes are really heavy.

And can being ridden faster than a normal bike on similar terrain and often by people that often lack skill/fitness/experience.

You don't want to run into one on a bi-directional trail.

Not to mention they are easily modified.

What's next? Seat belts and air bags?

Quote:


It's a crutch.

I'm almost 58 years old.

Don't need one and don't want one.

What's next? Power chairs and senior citizen groups from Sun City on your local area trail?

Some people are better off walking. Getting proper medical treatment, or perhaps starting a fitness program. Instead of expecting everyone else to accommodate their desire to ride heavier, harder to control and faster motorized bicycles (mopeds) on local area trails.

IntheBush wrote on 01/13/19 at 12:43am:


Neither are lycra shorts, leaves, 26 inch wheels, single speeds, etc.   

IntheBush wrote on 01/13/19 at 12:58am:


It's allowed.  Try not to let it ruin your life, it's not worth it

Robert C. wrote on 01/13/19 at 12:55am:


Riding a 26 inch wheeled steed on leaf covered trails is paradise.  I agree with you on the lycra shorts, 29ers, leaf blowers and single speeds 

Yo Bush, how do you feel about 29er ebikes?

Zakaraia Hermes wrote on 01/13/19 at 11:29am:


You sure about that? Somebody checking 'em at the trail head?

Plenty of motorized bicycles have a throttle. And many can be modified to accept one.

Bypassing the governor on an ebike is an even easier hack.

Anybody that can't control their 45 lb. bicycle is threatening me, and other trail users. 
You can't figure that out on your own?

Robert C. wrote on 01/13/19 at 12:32am: