Good news for Ebiker users on public land.

[hh76]

I've got no problems with E Bikes, but call it what it is, motorized. I understand that it is not the same as a motocross bike, but it has a motor to propel it, so it is motorized.

My biggest beef with any of these arguments is when users want to blur a pretty simple line. Motorized/non-motorized. If they are to be allowed in areas, then allow them, but don't try to do it by calling them something they are not.

 

[Rifleman86]

Should be a separate designation for e bikes, some trails open to them, some not.

But to claim a bike with a motor is non motorized is one of stupidest things I’ve read in a while. It takes an impressive amount of cognitive dissonance to argue that that point.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

Having ridden the pedal-assist type of e-bike in a mountainous County Open Space trail network, I would definitely put them more in the camp of motorcycle than bicycle. I was able to ride at least 3 times as far as I would have ridden if I was on my regular mountain bike, in half the time, and I never really broke a sweat. I also had a lot of fun!

My personal thoughts on e-bikes though is that they further erode my ability to gain solitude by working harder than other people.

 

[cnelk]

I really like getting on my ebike at 11pm, leave camp and ride 2-3 miles down Forest Service roads / ATV trails, stopping occasionally to let out a bugle.

Quick. Quiet.
Back in camp within an hour with a plan for the next morning's hunt.

 

[Billy Goat]

I really like getting on my ebike at 11pm, leave camp and ride 2-3 miles down Forest Service roads / ATV trails, stopping occasionally to let out a bugle.

Quick. Quiet.
Back in camp within an hour with a plan for the next morning's hunt.

Man, that retirement gig is working out pretty good for you.

 

[Titan_Bow]

I don’t really have a dog in this fight. All my elk hunting is usually done in places too steep for a bike anyways. I do use my regular mountain bike a lot for deer and turkey hunting out on the plains and in Nebraska, or spring bear hunting up in Montana. I’ve really toyed with the idea of getting an e-bike on more than one occasion however.
On the topic of whether they should be allowed on non motorized trails. I guess I sort of fall into the camp that they should probably stay on motorized trails. I’ve ridden a few different ones. A pedal assist Specialized full suspension that I tried out would be lots of fun . A guy I work with has one of the Backou Mules and that thing is basically like a silent motorcycle LOL. It has an amazing amount of torque and seems like it would pull a guy right up a hill with little effort.
One thing that I was thinking about crowding though. With the amount of people mountain biking in Colorado today, I can’t imagine this would significantly change the trails here in Colorado. Any non motorized trail here that’s already open to mountain bikes, is already going to have a ton of people riding and recreating on them. I just don’t think there is a large part of the population chomping at the bit to ride their ebikes on mountain trails, other than hunters that already own them or are considering them.


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[Wyobohunter]

Good news everyone! I just spoke to the local USFS station. E-bikes will be considered motorized vehicles just like a 4 wheeler. They will not be allowed on non-motorized trails. The fine will be the same as if you were to ride your UTV where it doesn’t belong.

 

[N.ID7803]

I think if you need a motor you should stick to motor trails. If you disabled there are approved modes of transportation. If you are just not in good enough shape, life is not fair.

So if someone uses a horse to get into the back country they are "out of shape"? Its about working smarter not harder.

 

[Wyobohunter]

So if someone uses a horse to get into the back country they are "out of shape"? Its about working smarter not harder.

Horses don’t have motors. I suggest everyone do as I just did. Call your USFS and ask about the rules. They are not changing.

 

[Laramie]

I have always been against their use but I think in some situations I would reconsider. My son is handicapped. It would be great if he could use one to get to some of the places I have hunted for years. That said, If everyone could do the same, those places wouldn't be as desirable of a destination.

 

[Jethro]

I really like getting on my ebike at 11pm, leave camp and ride 2-3 miles down Forest Service roads / ATV trails, stopping occasionally to let out a bugle.

Quick. Quiet.
Back in camp within an hour with a plan for the next morning's hunt.

Nothing wrong with that. But lets leave the motorized vehicles on the motorized trails/roads.

 

[Wyobohunter]

I have always been against their use but I think in some situations I would reconsider. My son is handicapped. It would be great if he could use one to get to some of the places I have hunted for years. That said, If everyone could do the same, those places wouldn't be as desirable of a destination.

A legitimate handicap changes the question for me. A person in that situation should be allowed.

 

[Baddog]

Horses don’t have motors. I suggest everyone do as I just did. Call your USFS and ask about the rules. They are not changing.

Your local usfs front desk gal will be the last to know. These decisions are made by the ones with the money.

 

[Wyobohunter]

Your local usfs front desk gal will be the last to know. These decisions are made by the ones with the money.

I spoke with the head ranger… They are aware of the proposal. Read the article again. Then speak to the locals about it. This thread was pure wishful thinking. Do you think the general public will know before they do?

 

[Oregon]

Why would I, I am able bodied.

I used to think the same way. Then I had 3 surgeries on one knee in a year. Cadaver tendons, 6 different holes in knee cap, metal anchors, shaved bone and you end up with severe tendinitis/osteoarthritis and pain that brings tears to my eyes going downhill especially.
Not everyone is fat and out of shape.

 

[Mike Islander]

Well hey, at least you're honest about your elitism. You have no real reason they are bad, you just want to keep people out. What a super guy!

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There is a flip side. Elites buy $5000 ebikes to gain an advantage on those who have to walk or even cycle because they can't afford an ebike.

And to say an ebike "is" no more impactful than a mountain bike is absurd. Depends on the ebike, as some have large tires and lots of hp.

 

[CoStick]

I used to think the same way. Then I had 3 surgeries on one knee in a year. Cadaver tendons, 6 different holes in knee cap, metal anchors, shaved bone and you end up with severe tendinitis/osteoarthritis and pain that brings tears to my eyes going downhill especially.
Not everyone is fat and out of shape.

There are plenty of areas that allow motorized you can still access.

 

[tdhanses]

Nothing wrong with that. But lets leave the motorized vehicles on the motorized trails/roads.

Thing is USFS makes these choices, I won’t be shocked to see an ebike approved yet other motorized traffic not from them for trails.

I would think hunters are a minority compared to bicycle riders, who knows the direction it’ll go in the long run but I can see these bikes have more access as the years go by.

 

[Oregon]

There are plenty of areas that allow motorized you can still access.

Concur. You're just assuming people want to ride e-bikes because of laziness or out of shape. I don't own one, nor do I have a need for one. I'm a BLM type of guy, not a NFS guy.

 

[Ten Bears]

Read through the comments on this. I think an easy compromise could find middle ground.

Remove a wheel.

The E-unicycle....

Modern enough to quench the thirst of the tech forward crowd.

Skillful enough for the traditionalist hard work type of chums.