Fine for riding e-bikes on trails in DC?

[btj]

Hey Everyone,
I have a friend who commutes in on the CCT with an electric assist bike. He rides safely, signals passes, and still gets passed by plenty of non-electric bikes (so he’s not flying down the trail as fast as he can or anything). He has repeatedly had another commuter (the same guy every time) yell at him that he is breaking the law and has threatened to call the police.

I do believe that riding an electric bike on the CCT in DC is illegal according to DC Rule: 18-1201 (http://www.dcregs.dc.gov/Gateway/RuleHome.aspx?RuleNumber=18-1201). Has anyone ever heard of it being enforced? Does anyone know what the fine / penalty is?

Thanks!

[Raymo853]

I have never heard of this being enforced. This Wash Cycle page has a bit of information about e-bikes. http://www.thewashcycle.com/electric-bikes/

Personally, I am unsure how they should be treated.

[jabberwocky]

I think its one of those things that is technically illegal, but good luck getting anyone to enforce it. If he’s riding safely I don’t really know why anyone cares.

[Drewdane]

I don’t know what the actual law or rule may be, but I for one don’t have a problem with e-bikes on trails. Heck, I figure I’ll probably need one at some point!

I think the guy yelling at your friend needs to get over himself, STFU and mind his own damned business.

[runbike]

The CCT org website has an “ebike forum” that apparently came about because one dude, a Mr. Michael McNamara, keeps raising a fuss about being buzzed by e-bikes. http://www.cctrail.org/EbikeForum.htm.

After reading the whole back and forth I’d give it above 80% probability that the guy yelling at your friend is this McNamara fellow.

[Crickey7]

There is an e-bike forum on the Capital Crescent Trail organization’s website http://www.cctrail.org/EbikeForum.htm.

Yes, it’s illegal, not because of DC law but because it’s under NPS jurisdiction.

“CCCT continues to cooperate and work with the police agencies that are tasked with keeping the trail safe for everyone, and we encourage trail users to do so as well. The park police agencies believe they have the legal authority to prohibit electric assisted bicycles from using the trail, and they do enforce a “no e-bike” policy.”

[Brendan von Buckingham]

Yes, but what about an electric assist wheel? The bike’s not electric, the wheel is. http://www.citylab.com/commute/2014/07/if-an-electric-bike-is-ever-going-to-hit-it-big-in-the-us-its-this-one/375167/

[skins_brew]

What is the rule for scooters in bike lanes?

There was an old man riding one on Penn Ave a few weeks ago. I pulled up to him at a light and said, “You know this is a bike lane, right.” He told me that if the scooter is under 49cc, he is ok to ride in the bike lane. Is that true?

[jrenaut]

@skins_brew 97360 wrote:

What is the rule for scooters in bike lanes?

There was an old man riding one on Penn Ave a few weeks ago. I pulled up to him at a light and said, “You know this is a bike lane, right.” He told me that if the scooter is under 49cc, he is ok to ride in the bike lane. Is that true?

Pretty sure he has the law correct.

[jnva]

I never ride my ebike on the CCT but if I lived in that area and it was the safest way to get to work, I would do it. I have been yelled at on the W&OD while being passed by the ELITES. It’s stupid that there is a law prohibiting them on any trail or road. My commute is too far to ride a non motorized bike every day, but with a small electric motor to help I can do it every day. As someone above said – the complainers need to get over themselves. More cars and more lanes aren’t going to solve the transit problem. Yelling at people who are trying to get to work via ebike is ludicrous.

[baiskeli]

@skins_brew 97360 wrote:

What is the rule for scooters in bike lanes?

There was an old man riding one on Penn Ave a few weeks ago. I pulled up to him at a light and said, “You know this is a bike lane, right.” He told me that if the scooter is under 49cc, he is ok to ride in the bike lane. Is that true?

Yes, according to this article at least:

http://www.welovedc.com/2010/09/28/dc-mythbusting-bike-lanes-are-just-for-bikes/

Same for Segways.

[btj]

If someone (NPS or DC) were to enforce the no e-bike thing, does anyone know what the penalty/fine would be?

[cyclingfool]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6870[/ATTACH]

[Crickey7]

@btj 97373 wrote:

If someone (NPS or DC) were to enforce the no e-bike thing, does anyone know what the penalty/fine would be?

As with the MVT, NPS “closed” the CCT last year at the DC line due to the government shutdown. Enforcement consisted of a log painted white that was propped up on two large rocks blocking the paved part, but not the unpaved dirt immediately next to it. And after a while, people moved the log.

You can kind of tell when they’re winking at something. I have no doubt that could change in a heartbeat if there were a large influx of especially speedy e-bikes.

[83b]

In place of having a second car in the family, I use an e-bike as my town bike. I’ve taken it on the MVT to get to Virginia (since it’s the only real option) on any number of occasions and never had any problems. I’ve only ridden my road bike on the CCT, but based on your descriptions of his riding, I can’t see any reasonable person objecting your friend riding his there.

That just leaves unreasonable people, who are best ignored. Though I’d love to hear NPS’ response if that guy ever does call in to report your friend. Based on my experience calling to report a bunch of kids tear-assing around the Anacostia trails on dirt bikes, I would expect him to be paid polite lip service at best.

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