Are Electric Bikes Prohibited on Arlington Trails

[ronwalf]

@rcannon100 15514 wrote:

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To me that would just imply they need to turn off the assist (electric, gas or otherwise).

[MCL1981]

@rcannon100 15514 wrote:

But that could not possibly be right (could it??)

Why couldn’t it possibly right? You can thank the people who careen down the trail at 30mph. You think people moving along at 18mph not calling passes, weaving, and running people off into the dirt are bad…. I personally think the things are really cool. I want one. I might even use it on the trail responsibly. But as with most rules, they’re written for the people who are assholes.

[jcpetrson]

The majority of these riders are not experienced cyclists, but new commuters. They are looking for an easy way to start bike commuting without the pain and sweat.

It’s not much different than a moped. The lack of petrol doesn’t really change that they are riding twice as fast as the idiots (like me) thinking we are Lance A. Do we allow all two (three?) wheel travel and impose speed limits?

[MCL1981]

In most cases there is already a speed limit imposed. Usually 15mph. So the idea of people not riding like an idiot because it’s a rule probably won’t work out.

[americancyclo]

here’s the Arlington County Code

http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/CountyBoard/CountyCode/file74511.pdf

Can’t copy and paste out of their PDFs.

there was also a memo in 1999 about electric bikes that said

The State Code defines bicycles as devices propelled by human power and meeting other criteria. An electrically-assisted vehicle does not fall within this definition. If the County Board wished to permit electrically-assisted vehicles on the trails, the County Code would have to be amended to specifically permit such vehicles. Staff does not support such an amendment since it could open the trails up to other less desirable vehicles, such as mopeds.

[baiskeli]

@jcpetrson 15522 wrote:

The majority of these riders are not experienced cyclists, but new commuters. They are looking for an easy way to start bike commuting without the pain and sweat.

I know one or two who use electric-assist bikes who are older and need the help to stay on a bike without killing their knees on the uphills.

[americancyclo]

and this from Falls Church City Code

Sec. 26-105. – Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Bicycle means a device upon which any person may ride, propelled by human power through a belt, chain or gears, and having two or three wheels in a tandem or tricycle arrangement. The term “bicycle” shall also include pedal bicycles with helper motors rated less than one brake horsepower, which produce only ordinary pedaling speeds up to a maximum of 20 miles per hour; provided, that such bicycles so equipped shall not be operated upon any highway or public vehicular area of the city by any person under the age of 16 years; provided, further, that no such bicycles so equipped shall be operated upon any public sidewalk or bike trail in the city.

[rcannon100]

You can thank the people who careen down the trail at 30mph

As other people have indicated, that’s not accurate. An ebike is a hybrid between battery assist and human. They are limited to comply with federal standards. An ebike (as opposed to say an electric moped) will go no faster than a regular bicycle. Federal law states that when we are talking ebikes, we are not talking something like a moped:

In conformance with legislation adopted by the U.S. Congress defining this category of electric-power bicycle (15 U.S.C. 2085(b)), CPSC rules stipulate that low speed electric bicycles[24] (to include two- and three-wheel vehicles) are exempt from classification as motor vehicles providing they have fully operable pedals, an electric motor of less than 750W (1 hp), and a top motor-powered speed of less than 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) when operated by a rider weighing 170 pounds.

These are relatively light weight devices that provide assistance. They are hybrids and they still need the other part – the human engine.

Given that the feds have successfully made the distinction, the state and the county could too.

As for them only being used by noobs, not true. I was in NYC recently. I was AMAZED at home many delivery bikes were ebikes. I have seen lots of people use them on Arlington trails. I am seriously considering getting an ebike, because, well, I am almost a senior citizen. I currently have a pulled hamstring. I cannot bike or recover as fast as I use to.

eBikes are a regular occurrence on Arlington trails. You have to know to look for the hubs. I talk to people who have them all the time and they love them. In terms of operation, they operate exactly like a bicycle on the trail and the average person could not even tell that it was an ebike.

[MCL1981]

I think you’re making a very inaccurate assumption. I’m talking about the bikes with an electric hub motor and a battery on the back rack. They do not require pedaling and will go as fast as you pull the throttle. Usually 30+. I’m pretty sure most people are talking about this as well. There is nothing federalized about this

[WillStewart]

@MCL1981 15940 wrote:

I think you’re making a very inaccurate assumption. I’m talking about the bikes with an electric hub motor and a battery on the back rack. They do not require pedaling and will go as fast as you pull the throttle. Usually 30+. I’m pretty sure most people are talking about this as well. There is nothing federalized about this

As an electro-mechanical engineer and bike commuter, I’ve looked into a conversion kit myself, and don’t see the 30+mph ebikes you are talking about, even the ones over $2k. It would take a very expensive, massive battery, and a powerful motor to get anywhere near 30mph and even then that would be in burst mode, not sustained for any appreciable length of time. If you have any evidence to the contrary (besides “people are talking about this”), please provide it. If you need more detailed information, then try the simulator at http://ebikes.ca/simulator/

[rcannon100]

How can I be making inaccurate assumptions? I started the thread.

You are redefining ebikes as something you dont like, and then declaring that you dont like it. I keep trying to steer it back and say, that’s not what we are talking about.

[americancyclo]

@rcannon100 15926 wrote:

the average person could not even tell that it was an ebike.

I can always tell when I get smoked on an uphill on the Custis!

[jnva]

Rcannon – I’ve been commuting on the custis almost every day for the past six months on my electric assist bike. I’ve never posted here because of the anti ebike attitudes, but I can tell you that the “no motorized vehicle” rule on the custis is not enforced for ebikes. I have ridden past park police several times… As long as you don’t act like an idiot on the trail, you shouldn’t have a problem. I maintain under 20 mph while on the trail, and for those of you I’ve smoked, it’s because I can maintain 20mph uphill. I go slow downhill because I can activate regen. 30mph on the trail is not possible on my bike. And by the way, I have been commuting on the custis/WOD for 20 years, and have seen many cycling accidents of which exactly zero have involved ebikes.

J

[CCrew]

@WillStewart 15945 wrote:

If you have any evidence to the contrary (besides “people are talking about this”), please provide it. If you need more detailed information, then try the simulator at http://ebikes.ca/simulator/

http://hacknmod.com/hack/customized-electric-bike-with-50-mph-top-speed/
http://hacknmod.com/hack/diy-30-mph-electric-mountain-bike/

[Tim Kelley]

@jnva 15953 wrote:

Rcannon – I’ve been commuting on the custis almost every day for the past six months on my electric assist bike. I’ve never posted here because of the anti ebike attitudes, but I can tell you that the “no motorized vehicle” rule on the custis is not enforced for ebikes. I have ridden past park police several times… As long as you don’t act like an idiot on the trail, you shouldn’t have a problem. I maintain under 20 mph while on the trail, and for those of you I’ve smoked, it’s because I can maintain 20mph uphill. I go slow downhill because I can activate regen. 30mph on the trail is not possible on my bike. And by the way, I have been commuting on the custis/WOD for 20 years, and have seen many cycling accidents of which exactly zero have involved ebikes.

J

Very interesting! Can you tell us a little more about your bike, your buying experience, why you use electric vs. regular, and just more about your experiences?

[Author]

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