NPR reports that electric bikes will be classified as non-motorized by NPS and USFS

[JWP58]

Unless they are alternate facts of course.

Here's a fact:



Motorized should mean motorized. Electric or gas. This will open the door for a lot of crap we don't want to see in the back country.

They can be ridden where bicycles can be ridden. Stop acting like they will be allowed in wilderness areas. As if you even hunt in wilderness areas.

 

[brsnow]

I predict quite a bit of conflict/violence. Also I would suggest not leaving it or hiding it really well if you go hunting. The other groups who don’t need the motor will probably take the fight to the field. Should be interesting.

 

[Newtosavage]

They can be ridden where bicycles can be ridden. Stop acting like they will be allowed in wilderness areas. As if you even hunt in wilderness areas.

LOL

What part of "motor" do you not get? A vehicle either has a motor, or it doesn't.

But hey, feel free to sit idly by while this administration dismantles our public lands, if not sells them outright. This is just the preview. Not sure we can afford an act 2.

 

[JWP58]

LOL

What part of "motor" do you not get? A vehicle either has a motor, or it doesn't.

But hey, feel free to sit idly by while this administration dismantles our public lands, if not sells them outright. This is just the preview. Not sure we can afford an act 2.

Again. They are allowed where bicycles are. Not in wilderness areas.

But thank you for the bha talking points.

 

[Newtosavage]

Again. They are allowed where bicycles are. Not in wilderness areas.

But thank you for the bha talking points.

Go back and read brsnow's last post. It will be interesting alright.

 

[JWP58]

And? If people get butt hurt about bicycles vs ebikes, oh well. They are not legal in wilderness areas, if you DEMAND solitude.

Here is a crazy thought, how are silent ebikes any worse than llamas? Let me guess one God uses them, vs. ebikes....

(disclaimer I dont own a mtb, ebike, or any bike atm...but used to road bike a lot)

 

[Pbast81]

Wow this thread is a bit overboard. Ebikes are classified as a bike so they can be used on bike trails which in my mind changes nothing because who really cares about a little electric motor adding some assistance to the rider. So from this decision our current administration is dismantling and selling our public lands? Seriously I think that’s a bit of a stretch and if it’s going to lead to violence I don’t think someone that hikes is going to be any tougher than someone who decides to use an ebike.

 

[mtnrunner260]

Anyone know where I can pick one of these up?

Ford Ranger EV - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[brsnow]

Wow this thread is a bit overboard. Ebikes are classified as a bike so they can be used on bike trails which in my mind changes nothing because who really cares about a little electric motor adding some assistance to the rider. So from this decision our current administration is dismantling and selling our public lands? Seriously I think that’s a bit of a stretch and if it’s going to lead to violence I don’t think someone that hikes is going to be any tougher than someone who decides to use an ebike.

My guess is you haven’t spent much time on single track trails out west. Prior to this conflict was already taking place. This is an extremely tense situation. Hikers, mtn bikers, and horse folks view e-bike riders like hunters view PETA members overall. I am sure there are a few exceptions. If you work on building and cleaning trails and e-bikes show up, feels about similar to PETA taking over your best hunting spot.

The emotions are going to run hot.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

LOL

What part of "motor" do you not get? A vehicle either has a motor, or it doesn't.

But hey, feel free to sit idly by while this administration dismantles our public lands, if not sells them outright. This is just the preview. Not sure we can afford an act 2.

Gheez man, stop with the BHA propaganda. By principle, on the motorized issue, you are right. But that gets lost when you cloud that reality with your political preaching. Until they actually do anything that resembles selling or dismantling pubic lands, give it a break.

 

[Pbast81]

My guess is you haven’t spent much time on single track trails out west. Prior to this conflict was already taking place. This is an extremely tense situation. Hikers, mtn bikers, and horse folks view e-bike riders like hunters view PETA members overall. I am sure there are a few exceptions. If you work on building and cleaning trails and e-bikes show up, feels about similar to PETA taking over your best hunting spot.

The emotions are going to run hot.

I spend 2-3 weeks every September out west elk hunting and the only conflicts I’ve seen are 4 wheelers and side by sides where they aren’t supposed to be. I’ve shared trails with hikers, bikers, and horses and have never had a problem. I guess I don’t see the issue with an assist motor on a bike versus a plain bike on the designated trails. You are still gonna have to get off the thing to go hunt.

 

[ridgefire]

We have to mountain bike 4 miles in to where we set up camp and would love to take a ebike in. They make it easier to get in but you still gotta hunt so not to worried about them.

 

[Newtosavage]

Until they actually do anything that resembles selling or dismantling pubic lands, give it a break.

I guess you're not aware they have already tried?

 

[Newtosavage]

We have to mountain bike 4 miles in to where we set up camp and would love to take a ebike in. They make it easier to get in but you still gotta hunt so not to worried about them.

So when 3 or 4 more camps pop up in your area because folks bought e-bikes, you'll be fine with that right?

 

[Billinsd]

I guess you're not aware they have already tried?

Who is "they"? The big, evil battery powered bike lobby? Or you mean the Trump administration? Or are they in cahoots?

 

[Billinsd]

So when 3 or 4 more camps pop up in your area because folks bought e-bikes, you'll be fine with that right?

He probably wouldn't be fine about it, but probably ok. Definitely wouldn't make him happy. That's how I am. I don't base my political leanings or want or regulation or not solely based on my personal desires or what's good for me. There's plenty of stuff that personally annoys me, that I believe people have the right to do or should. However I adapt and overcome.

 

[Newtosavage]

He probably wouldn't be fine about it, but probably ok. Definitely wouldn't make him happy. That's how I am. I don't base my political leanings or want or regulation or not solely based on my personal desires or what's good for me. There's plenty of stuff that personally annoys me, that I believe people have the right to do or should. However I adapt and overcome.

Believe it or not, I'm the same way. I am not as angry about ebikes as you probably assume I am. What bothers me is the slippery slope. It's hard enough to find public lands where you can get away from motorized vehicles these days. Motorized vehicles swarm all over BLM lands already, which pushes a lot of people onto FS where motorized vehicles are more tightly regulated. There should be places where the reward for someone's effort is peace and quiet. There are already millions of acres where people can enjoy the access they get through the use of motorized vehicles. I don't understand why we needed more, which effectively means reducing the areas where you can avoid lazy people.

I'll continue to hike into areas where bikes - motorized or not - are not allowed or can't get to. That order won't change much for me. Time will tell how hot of an issue this will become. I already expect the number of ebike orders have increased several fold, or will soon. I have nothing against ebikes but I don't want remote areas to get any more crowded than they already are. IMO this is another step in that direction. This admin. can use the exact same "improving access" logic they applied in this order to open up countless logging roads throughout the NF system to motorized vehicles. Are we going to be okay if/when that happens?

 

[Billinsd]

It's hard enough to find public lands where you can get away from motorized vehicles these days. Motorized vehicles swarm all over BLM lands already, which pushes a lot of people onto FS where motorized vehicles are more tightly regulated. There should be places where the reward for someone's effort is peace and quiet. There are already millions of acres where people can enjoy the access they get through the use of motorized vehicles. I don't understand why we needed more, which effectively means reducing the areas where you can avoid lazy people.

I totally agree with you, except the lazy people part. I'm against lazy people but pro older folks and disabled folks getting access.

I'll continue to hike into areas where bikes - motorized or not - are not allowed or can't get to. That order won't change much for me. Time will tell how hot of an issue this will become. I already expect the number of ebike orders have increased several fold, or will soon. I have nothing against ebikes but I don't want remote areas to get any more crowded than they already are.

Excellent point!!!

IMO this is another step in that direction. This admin. can use the exact same "improving access" logic they applied in this order to open up countless logging roads throughout the NF system to motorized vehicles. Are we going to be okay if/when that happens?

Do you mean like quads and side by sides? I see where you are going. Thanks for opening my eyes some....

 

[Newtosavage]

I totally agree with you, except the lazy people part. I'm against lazy people but pro older folks and disabled folks getting access.

Lazy probably wasn't the best choice of words although I'm sure it will apply in some cases. People with disabilities and aging people were mentioned in the order. If that is the goal, then why not target those people specifically. I don't think any of us would have a problem if people over 55 or 60 were allowed to use ebikes on bike trails. I certainly wouldn't have a problem if someone with a legitimate disability were allowed to use one.

 

[brsnow]

It will be in court quickly, will be interesting to see if it actually comes to fruition.