Should e-bikes be allowed on regular trails?

stretchy

Any Ebike with more than 200W or that assists over 15mph is classed as a motorbike in the UK . Any true Ebike is not capable of speeds normal bikes cannot do (except up hills).

cooldad

But we aren't talking about legal, or what can be used on the road.

Plenty of dirt bikes sneaking onto local trails

Angus Young

cooldad wrote:

But we aren't talking about legal, or what can be used on the road.

Plenty of dirt bikes sneaking onto local trails

Aren't we? I thought we were talking about e-bikes...

cooldad

Not any more. I was getting bored.

Do keep up.

stretchy

cooldad wrote:

But we aren't talking about legal, or what can be used on the road.

Plenty of dirt bikes sneaking onto local trails

If it is classed as a motorcycle then it should not be allowed on a bicycle trail. I'm pretty sure that is against the law. So maybe we are talking about what is legal...

The thread is "Should Ebikes be allowed on regular trails?", therefore me pointing out what an Ebike is defined as, is relevant.

Not sure why you're bringing up dirt bikes (they aren't Ebikes BTW).

Angus Young

cooldad wrote:

Not any more. I was getting bored.

Do keep up.

Any way, back to e-bikes...

Chunkers1980

stretchy wrote:

If it is classed as a motorcycle then it should not be allowed on a bicycle trail. I'm pretty sure that is against the law. So maybe we are talking about what is legal...

The thread is "Should Ebikes be allowed on regular trails?", therefore me pointing out what an Ebike is defined as, is relevant.

You're going round in circles.

Like's been said. If the land is not public then it is whatever the landowner allows (probably more based on their insurance) and how much other 'trade' they get and how everyone interacts.

If it is public land and a regular a2b cycle path then only Ebikes classed as an actual bike due to lack of power will be allowed.

When it comes to trail centres it is whatever the owner permits. Should they employ a rolling road to test if an Ebike falls with in a certain power rating and therefore allowed?

stretchy

Chunkers1980 wrote:

You're going round in circles.

How? I point out what an Ebike is because people were pointing out stupid power bikes. Then i have to explain why i did so. Do you want me to change my argument 100% everytime?

Chunkers1980 wrote:

If it is public land and a regular a2b cycle path then only Ebikes classed as an actual bike due to lack of power will be allowed.

My point.

Chunkers1980 wrote:

When it comes to trail centres it is whatever the owner permits. Should they employ a rolling road to test if an Ebike falls with in a certain power rating and therefore allowed?

I agree it would be very hard to enforce.

cooldad

stretchy wrote:

How? I point out what an Ebike is because people were pointing out stupid power bikes. Then i have to explain why i did so. Do you want me to change my argument 100% everytime?

Says Ebike on the poster, so how you define something might not be how others define it.

cooldad wrote:

stretchy

cooldad wrote:

Says Ebike on the poster, so how you define something might not be how others define it.

Quite. Which is why the law feels the need to outline what one actually is.

But i must point out that the KTM is classed as a motorbike, albeit an electronic motorbike. Not an Ebike as it cannot be propelled by it's own pedals (it has none) and it probably goes over the maximum of 40kg weight too.

cooldad

The law is a bit rubbish in the hills. It's like the wild west out there.

arthur_scrimshaw

cooldad wrote:

The law is a bit rubbish in the hills. It's like the wild west out there.

Absolutely, some of the nicest trails around here have been decimated by motocross bikes, all illegal but virtually no effort to stamp it out.
At the sensible end of the scale, a bike with a few hundred watts of assistance shouldn't cause much more damage than a normal bike and could enable someone with a health issue/old age etc a chance to enjoy what we all can.

gazcarsf1

I think they have a place for guys who have health issues, after major knee reconstruction after a road traffic accident, I can see the plus point, when I get to a time where my knee is causing me to much pain and I can no longer pedal up a hill, then this may be an option to carry on with mtb's. But for now human power is fine for me.

dodgy

I haven't read the entire thread, this point has probably already been made, apologies if so.

You might get ostensibly legal e-bikes turning up at trail centres that have been de restricted, in fact, that's almost certain to happen.

combatsapph

Angus Young wrote:

You forgot to mention how boring they are to ride. Sure, you'll laugh out loud the first few times you pelt up a climb. It's quite something. But once the novelty wears off, they're just plain boring. Half the fun of riding is coming home absolutely shredded by the climb that beat you and then finally beating it back. When you make a climb on an e-bike it's just big deal, so what.

Nope - 2500k miles since I built it - not bored yet. Personally, I don't enjoy the knackered feeling - I think you're a bit of a masochist if you do. But I don't cycle for exercise - that's what I go to the gym for. I cycle because I like exploring and being outside and just simply being on two wheels - the ebike covers those requirements perfectly.

RockmonkeySC wrote:

If you need a motor then maybe cycling isnt for you.

I don't need a motor. But then again I don't "need" a Westfield either, but it is fun.

VWsurfbum wrote:

combatsapph Your club roost looks a bit aftermarket? or is it sold like that?
I can understand what your using it for, i hope you get to find more new trails to use on your proper bike?

I built the bike from the frame up - had it about 8 years - recently swapped alot of parts (newer disc brakes, fork, gears etc) then I converted it with a kit last year. Build log is here if anyone is interested.

I also have an Ebike commuter:-