Originally Posted by
Sombeech
I don't think I've ever heard a straight answer for why the ebike hate. Personally I don't care if some of my larger buddies buy one of these so they can start riding with me.
As to why they are banned from trails that don't allow motorized bikes, the answer is never clear for why the ebike should be banned in this same group.
"Because they are motorized" will be the only answer given, not because they rip up the trails, cause deeper ruts, we hate fat people, it's unfair some people don't have to work that hard, yadda yadda.
I don't have an ebike, but if given the chance I'd love to ride one. If it's all about the workout, then we can immediately dismiss any rider that uses a shuttle from time to time. If ebikes cause more damage because of the total weight, then I shouldn't be riding my big heavy bike with another 30 lbs of camera gear either. If it's about having mechanical devices on certain trails because of noise, then music should be banned, hootin' and hollerin' should be banned, bike bells should be banned, and drones should be banned (except if it's a cool guy that is getting paid to do it and he's a nice guy so he's cool and everybody should allow this one cool person because he is friends with somebody special)
Here we are telling people how awesome it is to ride but unless there's some reason behind keeping ebikes off of the trails, I'm all for them. To the question "Why are ebikes bad for this trail?", the answer "because they are motorized" does not answer the question. What damage does the ebike cause?
Motorcycles? Yes we know why they shouldn't be on certain trails, and the answer is NEVER because "They are motorized". There is a logical reason like "Crowded trail, speed can be a danger, noise, extra damage". But I haven't heard the actual "reason" behind keeping the ebikes off of certain trails. There's gotta be a reason why ebikes are bad for trails, I just haven't heard it yet.
After 3 knee surgeries, both knees, the ebike may be in my future. But at the moment, these are some purely unbiased questions that I'd love to hear some informed answers.
Mueller Park in Bountiful still allows motorcycles, something to think about.