Most Popular Trailsnet Article for Comments
E-bike on trail
Should electric bikes be allowed on trails? That was the question in a December 12, 2012 guest blog post on the Trailsnet website. And it’s getting more comments than any other blog post on the Trailsnet website.
Electric Bike Rules Being Debated Nationally & Internationally
While many countries are moving toward making electric bikes more attractive, the United States is dragging its feet and seems to be discouraging people to purchase and use electric bikes. This makes little sense since electric bikes promote exercise, environmental responsibility and recreation. Of course, like with most policies, it is driven more by money than anything. The automobile and fossil fuel corporations still call the shots, and electric bikes and electric cars are still seen as a threat to them. It is in their best interest to keep building roads and promoting fuel-guzzling automobiles and to discourage alternative transportation, trails and personal transportation vehicles.
eBikes Regulations Debate
So take a look at the eBikes on trails blog post
and share your thoughts. Should electric bikes be allowed on trails or not?
2 comments
Absolutely not. They are motorized vehicles, and at worst will result in regular bikes being blocked as well. It’s hard enough when we have to fight tooth and nail for each and every trail here.
Author
So it sounds like you know how it feels to have your favorite mode of transportation excluded from trail-use; and it sounds like you don’t enjoy that feeling. So you had two possible reactions to that feeling. You could empathize w/ another group that has been excluded from trails and maybe be part of a solution to help them gain access to trails. Or, you could turn around and do the same thing to electric bike riders as you’ve seen done to other bicyclists and try to exclude them from using trails.
I’m curious how you ended up at the second choice. I appreciate your opinion, but I can’t quite relate to the sentiment.