E-Bikes on the trails

[Subby]

e-Bikes are probably the upper limit of motorized vehicle that I want to see on the trail. There are folks who have legit needs for one (pregnancy, medical condition, etc.) and I think it’s a good compromise.

[jabberwocky]

Its been discussed several times here, and we do have some forum regulars who commute (at least part time) on e-bikes. Its technically not allowed (the rules are “no motorized vehicles”) but its one of those things that I tend to ignore as long as the rider isn’t being a dick. I have an e-board (a sector 9 longboard with two 2 watt motors on it) that I sometimes ride around reston, including on the WOD.

[dagamon]

@Subby 121652 wrote:

e-Bikes are probably the upper limit of motorized vehicle that I want to see on the trail. There are folks who have legit needs for one (pregnancy, medical condition, etc.) and I think it’s a good compromise.

As long as they’re not using Strava for KOM points.

[DismalScientist]

Or for the National Bike Challenge. That’s (or at least should be) cheating.:rolleyes:

[Tania]

@DismalScientist 121657 wrote:

Or for the National Bike Challenge. That’s (or at least should be) cheating.:rolleyes:

Only if they don’t get a TUE for their inhaler.

[rcannon100]

Electronic-Inhalers!!

[mstone]

I actually encourage it for strava, but discourage people from riding like maniacs regardless of propulsion method.

[cvcalhoun]

@DismalScientist 121657 wrote:

Or for the National Bike Challenge. That’s (or at least should be) cheating.:rolleyes:

From the FAQ:

Miles traveled on a pedal-assisted electric bicycle (devices that provide assistance only when the bicyclist is pedaling) may be recorded in the National Bike Challenge. We recognize that pedal-assisted electric bicycles open the world of bicycling to people who may not be able to ride a traditional bicycle due to fitness, age, or disability. They can also provide a gateway to the use of traditional bicycles. These devices are consistent with the primary objective of the National Bike Challenge, which are to encourage bicycling and promote the health, economic, and environmental benefits that accompany the use of bicycles for recreation and transportation.

That was actually a change this year. And given that you actually have to pedal an e-assist bike, I don’t see the harm. After all, I get no extra points for pedaling a 64-lb. bike than someone who pedals a 14-lb. bike. I suspect the difference between my bike and that 14-lb. bike is greater than the difference between e-assist and regular. And that’s not even taking into account that in at least some instances, the reason a bike is e-assist is that it’s a whole lot heavier than mine, so the effort of pedaling may not even be less than you’d get on a regular bike.

[vvill]

What Subby + jabberwocky said.

[cvcalhoun]

@dagamon 121650 wrote:

So I’m huffing up the hill out of Rosslyn yesterday, as I do every day, and a dude blew past me in a cargo bike. Uphill. Sitting upright. I was humbled until I realized it was an electric-assist bike.

How do you feel about e-bikes on the trails? On one hand, they are on bikes, and we want to encourage cycling. On the flipside, the rules for the trails clearly say “No motorized vehicles”, although I feel e-bikes are violating the letter but not the spirit of this law. That being said, e-bikes have already been banned in several places, mostly mountain bike trails.

This is coming from a moment of deep humiliation seeing a cargo bike blast past me.

In Maryland, e-bikes are treated as bicycles, not “motor vehicles,” and thus are permitted on bike trails. The same is true in Virginia. In DC, however, “motorized bicycles” are prohibited on bike trails, even if in fact being pedaled.

[83b]

An ebike is my daily commuter. It gets to me to work and between meetings looking presentable–even in a suit in August like when I went to meetings with the IRS yesterday. Without it I’d be yet another lawyer in a German sports sedan, which I don’t think is what anyone (least of all me) really wants.

I take it on the local trails very rarely; most commonly to go from home on Capitol Hill to my dentist in Crystal City. I don’t particularly like flouting the MVT ebike ban, but I’m not about to bike on a highway either.

[jabberwocky]

@cvcalhoun 121670 wrote:

In Maryland, e-bikes are treated as bicycles, not “motor vehicles,” and thus are permitted on bike trails. The same is true in Virginia. In DC, however, “motorized bicycles” are prohibited on bike trails, even if in fact being pedaled.

The virginia code just says that e-bikes under 1000 watts are considered bicycles when operated on roads. It doesn’t say anything about paths, most of which are not roads in the traditional sense (the W&OD is a park, for example). Most of the paths around here have clearly posted “no motorized vehicles” signs.

EDIT: See: https://www.nvrpa.org/uploads/Files/NVRPARegulations.pdf Notably section §1.14 section B, subsection (3): “Motor-assisted bicycles (commonly referred to as “mopeds”) are permitted only in areas where motor vehicles are permitted”. No motor vehicles on the W&OD, no motor assist bicycles.

[cvcalhoun]

@jabberwocky 121675 wrote:

The virginia code just says that e-bikes under 1000 watts are considered bicycles when operated on roads. It doesn’t say anything about paths, most of which are not roads in the traditional sense (the W&OD is a park, for example). Most of the paths around here have clearly posted “no motorized vehicles” signs.

EDIT: See: https://www.nvrpa.org/uploads/Files/NVRPARegulations.pdf Notably section §1.14 section B, subsection (3): “Motor-assisted bicycles (commonly referred to as “mopeds”) are permitted only in areas where motor vehicles are permitted”. No motor vehicles on the W&OD, no motor assist bicycles.

It also defines an e-assist bicycle as not being a “motor vehicle.” Check further down that page.

[jabberwocky]

@cvcalhoun 121676 wrote:

It also defines an e-assist bicycle as not being a “motor vehicle.” Check further down that page.

I see nothing else in the NVRPA regs about bikes. Cite a section?

[ShawnoftheDread]

@vvill 121665 wrote:

What Subby + jabberwocky said.

A pretty safe generalization for most bike-related subjects.

[Author]

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