................. Likewise the "heavy e-bikes wreck the trails" argument doesn't follow, as a 120kg rider on a 15kg regular bike is a lot more mass than a 75kg rider on a 25kg ebike.
I remember one byway being closed to motorbikes due to a "fragile" bridge that couldn't take the weight, but it was still open to horses. That only got reversed when the council was challenged over it and it came to light that they didn't have a clue what motorbikes and horses might actually weigh! So it was nothing to do with weight, they just didn't like motorbikes. You do have to wonder whether there might be a similar anti-ebike bias in some places, so any excuse to ban them will do.Not to mention a one-ton horse with steel shod feet!
I remember one byway being closed to motorbikes due to a "fragile" bridge that couldn't take the weight, but it was still open to horses. That only got reversed when the council was challenged over it and it came to light that they didn't have a clue what motorbikes and horses might actually weigh! So it was nothing to do with weight, they just didn't like motorbikes. You do have to wonder whether there might be a similar anti-ebike bias in some places, so any excuse to ban them will do.
I remember one byway being closed to motorbikes due to a "fragile" bridge that couldn't take the weight, but it was still open to horses. That only got reversed when the council was challenged over it and it came to light that they didn't have a clue what motorbikes and horses might actually weigh! So it was nothing to do with weight, they just didn't like motorbikes. You do have to wonder whether there might be a similar anti-ebike bias in some places, so any excuse to ban them will do.
The "increased wear" argument is a bit of a smoke screen I think. If you go to a bike park a decent % of their income is from the the uplift, so if lots of riders are suddenly no longer using it they will want to recover that revenue somehow.Judging on the obviously increasing number sales of e-bikes and their growth at trail centres it would be very short sighted, business wise, to start banning them. I've also noticed at some centres they charge more for e-bikes than standard bikes on the basis, presumably, that more rides will be completed resulting in more wear and tear. This seems a little unfair as, at 70 years old, that hardly applies to me compared to a 20 year old. IMO they should find another way of distinguishing if distinguishing they must.
My local bike park has a chairlift but won't allow ebikes due to the rules around transporting batteries apparently. They do have an uphill track I can ride for free (which would be a slog on a regular bike), so I use that and then ride back down.
I know - you hear of batteries overheating if they are left on charge too long, but what's the real chance of an ebike bursting into flames on a five minute chairlift ride?Rules around transporting batteries.. This is hilarious. Better leave your mobile phones in the car
I know - you hear of batteries overheating if they are left on charge too long, but what's the real chance of an ebike bursting into flames on a five minute chairlift ride?
Very well aware of the consequences. In the case of this particular park (Christchurch Adventure Park) there's not much left to burn after a forest fire two years ago (started elsewhere).But what are the consequences if it does? Imagine being suspended from an open chairlift with an exploding battery behind you.
I'm almost reluctant to discuss the risk of that battery starting spot fires below because we'd be facing a total exclusion from fire prone regions.
Another issue ( at least in oz) is the workers compensation issues if the assistant helps load a bike over 20 kg and gets injured (20-25 kg is the general care when lifting weight for female / male workers) - so unless you have a caution heavy load sticker , good luck when that workcover case goes to court !
I know lifting my 23 kg giant onto the thredbo chairlift is a lot more tricky than my clockwork - it's right on the limit where I can comfortably lift it whilst vertical, but then trying to slot the front into a moving lift bracket - not easy.
So just to make the bike lighter to lift ?Last season in France/Switzerland two lifts, Mossettes up from les Lindarets and Supper Morzine insisted you removed your battery. When asked why all we got was a French shrug from the lifty. I have an external battery so easy to remove. But some internals a real pain. Although an internal looks more like a clockwork. The only lift I can recall is Crosets where the lifty physically lifts the bikes on to the chair. I don’t think humping 22+kg all day would go down well!
Guess it depends which country you are in, footpaths you shouldn’t be riding on so that just leaves which types of trails?
Local council seems a UK term
That is a freaking joke and a half.My local bike park has a chairlift but won't allow ebikes due to the rules around transporting batteries apparently. They do have an uphill track I can ride for free (which would be a slog on a regular bike), so I use that and then ride back down.
As above, bikes of any kind aren't allowed on footpaths as far as I know. Byways and bridleways are fine though and I can't see that ever changing.
Edit: In the UK
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