Banning e-bikes from bike trails

[Shawn Gossman]

It appears Harrisburg will be banning e-bikes from their city bike trail.

NOTE, their trail is not a part of Tunnel Hill State Trail although it connects to it. Feazle Street and south is IDNR and e-bikes are allowed on it.

How do you all feel about this ban?

Some cyclists dislike e-bikes because they think it's cheating but in reality, it's adaptive cycling. It gives older folks and disabled people a chance to bike when they cannot do it on a traditional bike.

 

[Rom]

That's going to be a near impossible to maintain that law. Just let folks ride.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

That's going to be a near impossible to maintain that law. Just let folks ride.

I agree.

And now it's seeming like more and more that the city's meth heads and up-to-no-good people are the reason behind this. So, basically, ban the e-bikes instead of going after the real problem which is drugs.

All I can do is shake my head.

 

[Rom]

I agree.

And now it's seeming like more and more that the city's meth heads and up-to-no-good people are the reason behind this. So, basically, ban the e-bikes instead of going after the real problem which is drugs.

All I can do is shake my head.

I mean, they act like these folks cant just ride normal bikes.???

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I am aware of a division between regular cyclists and e-cyclists.

But I also look at this way:

We regular cyclists have been fighting for our right to exist for decades, right?

Would be hypocrites to say e-cyclists shouldn't have the same rights as us?

I mean, our bikes aren't traditional bikes anymore. We have different gearing, frame materials, frame styles, electronic components, and extra features made to make our bikes faster to maneuver.

What if someone targeted regular bikes based on that very philosophy? What if we were under attack like the e-bikers are? I bet our tone would change.

Imagine if mountain bikers had to fight for decades to get designated mountain bike trails in the Shawnee. They never got it before because other trail users claimed it was too dangerous. Imagine if that happened. Oh. Wait. It did, LOL.

Now, e-bikes are the new victim.