Community Forums

richard5933 · 08-24-2019, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New to this

Just so you know, eBikes don't all work the same way. On our RV our folding eBikes can go about 20 mph just by twisting the throttle. ...

And with the different types of eBikes come different sets of rules, especially when you want to take them on the various state and national trails. At least around here, the pedal assist bikes like our Terns are permitted on all bike trails and paths. The models with a twist throttle are classified similar to mopeds by some jurisdictions and have limitations in which bike paths/trails they can use.

About the exercise factor...

There was an interesting study released in the past few weeks which showed that riders of pedal assist bikes actually got more exercise benefit than riders of traditional bikes. The main reason they pointed out was that the pedal assist bikes were being used more overall since riders could get help with hills and long trips.

We had our bikes in Virginia last week and used them as our transport to get around town. We got quite a work out on them, that's for sure. But, with the pedal assist the hills didn't kill my knees and the long ride into town was quite tolerable at 19 mph.

brobox · 08-24-2019, 07:53 AM

Richard, I hear what you are saying between Class II and Class III eBikes. I have hiked a lot of trails in our 16 years of traveling. I have yet to see any of the trails with bike police on them. I can't say it doesn't happen and I hope they bust those that ride like idiots. However I can't see them stopping senior citizen to see if they have twist throttles or not. In the town of Ft Myers Beach they stopped ALL eBikes on sidewalks and the beaches, not because of twist throttles, it was the idiots that were riding them.

I have COPD so went with all the assist I could get. If I get a ticket, that's OK, I'll be gone in a few days.

I saw the study on the more use with ebikes. I tried to find the chart to post if, but naturally when you want it, you can't find it.

New to this · 08-24-2019, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brobox

Richard, I hear what you are saying between Class II and Class III eBikes. I have hiked a lot of trails in our 16 years of traveling. I have yet to see any of the trails with bike police on them. I can't say it doesn't happen and I hope they bust those that ride like idiots. However I can't see them stopping senior citizen to see if they have twist throttles or not. In the town of Ft Myers Beach they stopped ALL eBikes on sidewalks and the beaches, not because of twist throttles, it was the idiots that were riding them.

I have COPD so went with all the assist I could get. If I get a ticket, that's OK, I'll be gone in a few days.

I saw the study on the more use with ebikes. I tried to find the chart to post if, but naturally when you want it, you can't find it.

I completely agree. As long as the rider is actually doing some pedaling, the cop would have to stop every eBike or have the system of each one memorized (and with new ones coming out nearly every day, I doubt that) to know if you are violating the law or not. Then, being a senor citizen, if you just pleaded your case of needing the assistance, I can't imagine getting a ticket unless you were running 20 mph near people and not pedaling at all.

richard5933 · 08-25-2019, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brobox

Richard, I hear what you are saying between Class II and Class III eBikes. I have hiked a lot of trails in our 16 years of traveling. I have yet to see any of the trails with bike police on them. I can't say it doesn't happen and I hope they bust those that ride like idiots. However I can't see them stopping senior citizen to see if they have twist throttles or not. In the town of Ft Myers Beach they stopped ALL eBikes on sidewalks and the beaches, not because of twist throttles, it was the idiots that were riding them.

I have COPD so went with all the assist I could get. If I get a ticket, that's OK, I'll be gone in a few days.

I saw the study on the more use with ebikes. I tried to find the chart to post if, but naturally when you want it, you can't find it.

You haven't ridden on some of the trails around Wisconsin then, at least not the ones that require a trail pass. They regularly have rangers on the trails stopping and checking for passes, and it would be pretty easy to spot an eBike which is throttle driven riding past (they'd be the ones climbing the hill without pedaling.)

Can't see a problem if they are kept to the roads or to bike lanes on the roads, but when used in mixed recreational trails serving cyclists, skaters, and pedestrians I can see issues, especially for those that provide assist at speeds higher than 20 mph.

photraveller · 08-25-2019, 06:30 AM

Is this the report you were looking for?

https://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...9019821930017X

Steve

brobox · 08-25-2019, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard5933

You haven't ridden on some of the trails around Wisconsin then, at least not the ones that require a trail pass. They regularly have rangers on the trails stopping and checking for passes, and it would be pretty easy to spot an eBike which is throttle driven riding past (they'd be the ones climbing the hill without pedaling.)

Can't see a problem if they are kept to the roads or to bike lanes on the roads, but when used in mixed recreational trails serving cyclists, skaters, and pedestrians I can see issues, especially for those that provide assist at speeds higher than 20 mph.

If they have trail passes I probably wouldn't be riding there anyhow, might be too crowed. I also have a handicap plaque, whether that gives me an excepted trail pass, I don't know. They could be in violation of the American Disability Act (ADA) if denying handicap assisted access. Just a thought. If not, here is the punishment on Ft Meyrs Beach if you are caught.

If you're caught riding an e-bike on one of those surfaces, a first offense will get you a warning, and you could be fined up to $50 for any additional offenses.

Not one of those things I am going to worry about if I am leaving in 3 days and not riding like our beach nut cases that ruined it for everyone else. Thanks to the inconsiderate tourist, I can't ride my bike on my own beach.
I will not be one of those when I visit someone else home area. If I can't ride there I have 47 other states to visit

The lake trails around the MI shoreline were beautiful. I saw no signs that permits were required. It was that area that gave me the idea of an ebike when I saw other enjoying them.

brobox · 08-25-2019, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photraveller

Is this the report you were looking for?

https://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...9019821930017X

Steve

Good article, but the one I saw was a blue bar chart showing more use with ebike over a regular bike therefore more peddling. It was a nice "at a glance chart".

It was probably a chart made my an ebike company anyhow.

richard5933 · 08-25-2019, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brobox

If they have trail passes I probably wouldn't be riding there anyhow, might be too crowed. ...

I can't speak for other areas, but we have a pretty extensive network of bike trails running down former rail right-of-ways. The $25 annual pass helps pay for the upkeep and maintenance of the trails, so I don't mind paying it. The trails can be busy at peak times, but generally speaking they are never annoyingly crowded. During the week they are virtually empty.

brobox · 08-25-2019, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard5933

I can't speak for other areas, but we have a pretty extensive network of bike trails running down former rail right-of-ways. The $25 annual pass helps pay for the upkeep and maintenance of the trails, so I don't mind paying it. The trails can be busy at peak times, but generally speaking they are never annoyingly crowded. During the week they are virtually empty.

Good then I can go on them without any problem.

You are fortunate to have so many nice riding trails. I wouldn't have any problem with an annual fee either is we had anything like that where I lived.
Do they have day passes for travelers like us? Are they a hassle to get?

richard5933 · 08-25-2019, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brobox

Good then I can go on them without any problem.

You are fortunate to have so many nice riding trails. I wouldn't have any problem with an annual fee either is we had anything like that where I lived.
Do they have day passes for travelers like us? Are they a hassle to get?

Day passes and season passes, and they can be purchased in advance or on the trail.

We are very fortunate in Wisconsin to have many great trails. This one passes within a mile of my house, but there are many more.

https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/glacialdrumlin/

To keep on topic, I am seeing many more eBikes on the trails. Largely used by older cyclists, it's clear that these things are opening up lots more options to people who would have hung up their cycling shoes otherwise.

**NLOVNIT** · 08-25-2019, 03:36 PM

We're in the group with a lot of you. We've ridden more in the 4 years since we got our e-bikes than in decades with our non electric-assisted bikes. I'd almost go as far as to say, I haven't ridden as much since I was a kid....before I got my driver's license.

Pedaling my e-bike is certainly easier on the knees, to my observation anyway, since with the assist I'm not pumping as hard on the pedals.

Lori-

photraveller · 08-25-2019, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT

We're in the group with a lot of you. We've ridden more in the 4 years since we got our e-bikes than in decades with our non electric-assisted bikes. I'd almost go as far as to say, I haven't ridden as much since I was a kid....before I got my driver's license.

Pedaling my e-bike is certainly easier on the knees, to my observation anyway, since with the assist I'm not pumping as hard on the pedals.

Lori-

Lori, we're right there with you. Though we lived off campus during our college days, so I probably rode my bike more then than I do now. Still more decades than I want to think about.

Now our ebikes have given us that confidence to try longer rides again. I feel almost like I remember I did when I was given permission to ride outside the neighborhood as a kid.

Steve

brobox · 08-25-2019, 05:23 PM

Richard, those trails are awesome and what Ebiking is all about. After all the comparison shopping I did, it's almost hard to find one without a throttle on the newer bikes. I wonder how they will enforce the current law on all the newer ebikes. Or they will do as Ft Myers Beach did and just close it to ebikes.

richard5933 · 08-25-2019, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brobox

Richard, those trails are awesome and what Ebiking is all about. After all the comparison shopping I did, it's almost hard to find one without a throttle on the newer bikes. I wonder how they will enforce the current law on all the newer ebikes. Or they will do as Ft Myers Beach did and just close it to ebikes.

Not sure where you were comparison shopping, but in all the actual bricks-and-mortar stores I've been too most of the eBikes are pedal assist. At least in Wisconsin. Online I've seen both in equal numbers.

As far as I know, the Bosch mid-drive system doesn't even offer a throttle option. Maybe that's why I see more without throttles - I was focused on Bosch's system when I searched.