E-Bike Laws Natl Parks

[kwilliams]

Originally Posted by morningglory

So I know we're a mixed bunch of people who enjoy RV life. But when I come to the Thor Forum, I don't want to see middle-school type anonymous insults and counters.



Many of us are no longer young. I have terminal lung disease and can no longer ride a regular bike. My wife has destroyed her knees - used them up and loved every moment of it!



So we have electric bikes. I sling my oxygen on my back and I pedal as much as I can... and I get to experience the exhilaration of my youth.



I find it ironic that I am accused of being the epitome of lazy... by someone who rides around in a $100,000 house on wheels!



How about "if you can't say something nice..."

Agreed!

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by blw2

I'm only just theorizing, because I've seen that at least some of them have a pretty high top end speed and so I'd imagine a person could hold a higher average speed down a trail that a standard pedal biker could. Higher speed means heavier braking into turns making stutter bumps, and more sliding in the curves....stuff like that

Yeah after my bike ride this morning I had realized the braking part. Fat tires too so much worse LOL (if you're not careful). (More weight as well.)

The trails around our house are pretty much packed clay; anything less than a bulldozer won't affect them ! (granted not all the trails are like this, probably most trails aren't like this--just the Michigan ones.)

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by CampTap

They are motorized scooters just like mopeds legally to drive them you need a motorcycle license your lucky they dont enforce that. Of course they arent aloud on trails that dont alow motorized vehicles.

No state that I am aware of requires a motorcycle license to ride a moped. Some states don't ALLOW you to ride one until you are 14 years old (or some other age limit).

[TurnerFam]

I believe Alabama does, believe it or not - a motorcycle license and insurance required, along with a tag, of course, even for those under 50cc...

"Motor-Driven Cycle is defined as every motorcycle, including every motor scooter, with a motor which produces not to
exceed five brake horse-power nor to exceed 150 cubic centimeter engine displacement and weighs less than 200 pounds
fully equipped, and every bicycle with motor attached.
A person who has attained the age of 16 and who has been issued a
class M driver license may operate either a motorcycle or motor-driven
cycle.
A person who is at least 14 years of age may apply for a restricted
license to operate a motor-driven cycle only. Under Alabama law, a
moped is considered a motor-driven cycle. The parent of guardian of
any child shall not authorize or knowingly permit the child to violate
any provision of the code regulating the operation of motorcycles or
motor-driven cycles.
Once a 14-year-old is licensed to operate a motor-driven cycle, the
license is valid for a four-year period for that class vehicle. The “Class
M” must appear on the license in order to operate the cycle. Restriction
“B” (motor-driven cycle - 5 horsepower or smaller - for ages 14 and 15
only) will then apply. At age 16, the applicant may return to the driver
license examining office and transfer to a motorcycle class license
without the size restrictions."

Crazy, maybe...

While it would seem obvious that scooters would not be allowed on interstates since they can't get up to 'speed', even though the minimum speed limit might be posted as 40mph, there are many roads in Alabama, hwy 231 where I'm located, which is 65mph and not an interstate - I'd personally have an issue if a 14 year old on a scooter doing 40mph was in this type of fast traffic.

As for the discussion of 'electric bikes' or 'pedal assisted motorized bikes' in National Parks, it stands to reason that anything motorized, whether a fuel-powered engine, or a battery-powered motor, would have to be excluded - even though it may 'seem' that these smaller engines and motors would not be 'that big of a deal' to some owners - the problem is that once you 'allow' even these small exceptions, you open the door to problems with others who now want to also join the crowd with 'slightly' larger motors and engines, and then the management of these starts to get out of hand, or lawyers get involved.

Human powered only is the rule, no matter how 'innocent' small motors and engines may seem to be - it just has to be that way.

[mstng]

It may stand to reason that a motorized bike is different but the new directive allows it and I am happy they made the change. Human power is not the rule anymore. Pedal assist is accepted in National parks where regular bikes are allowed.

Originally Posted by TurnerFam

I believe Alabama does, believe it or not - a motorcycle license and insurance required, along with a tag, of course, even for those under 50cc...

"Motor-Driven Cycle is defined as every motorcycle, including every motor scooter, with a motor which produces not to
exceed five brake horse-power nor to exceed 150 cubic centimeter engine displacement and weighs less than 200 pounds
fully equipped, and every bicycle with motor attached.
A person who has attained the age of 16 and who has been issued a
class M driver license may operate either a motorcycle or motor-driven
cycle.
A person who is at least 14 years of age may apply for a restricted
license to operate a motor-driven cycle only. Under Alabama law, a
moped is considered a motor-driven cycle. The parent of guardian of
any child shall not authorize or knowingly permit the child to violate
any provision of the code regulating the operation of motorcycles or
motor-driven cycles.
Once a 14-year-old is licensed to operate a motor-driven cycle, the
license is valid for a four-year period for that class vehicle. The “Class
M” must appear on the license in order to operate the cycle. Restriction
“B” (motor-driven cycle - 5 horsepower or smaller - for ages 14 and 15
only) will then apply. At age 16, the applicant may return to the driver
license examining office and transfer to a motorcycle class license
without the size restrictions."

Crazy, maybe...

While it would seem obvious that scooters would not be allowed on interstates since they can't get up to 'speed', even though the minimum speed limit might be posted as 40mph, there are many roads in Alabama, hwy 231 where I'm located, which is 65mph and not an interstate - I'd personally have an issue if a 14 year old on a scooter doing 40mph was in this type of fast traffic.

As for the discussion of 'electric bikes' or 'pedal assisted motorized bikes' in National Parks, it stands to reason that anything motorized, whether a fuel-powered engine, or a battery-powered motor, would have to be excluded - even though it may 'seem' that these smaller engines and motors would not be 'that big of a deal' to some owners - the problem is that once you 'allow' even these small exceptions, you open the door to problems with others who now want to also join the crowd with 'slightly' larger motors and engines, and then the management of these starts to get out of hand, or lawyers get involved.

Human powered only is the rule, no matter how 'innocent' small motors and engines may seem to be - it just has to be that way.

[99dart]

Originally Posted by morningglory

So I know we're a mixed bunch of people who enjoy RV life. But when I come to the Thor Forum, I don't want to see middle-school type anonymous insults and counters.

Many of us are no longer young. I have terminal lung disease and can no longer ride a regular bike. My wife has destroyed her knees - used them up and loved every moment of it!

So we have electric bikes. I sling my oxygen on my back and I pedal as much as I can... and I get to experience the exhilaration of my youth.

I find it ironic that I am accused of being the epitome of lazy... by someone who rides around in a $100,000 house on wheels!

How about "if you can't say something nice..."

So sorry to hear you have "terminal lung disease", dang, that sucks!! I have bad knees and my legs cramp when pedaling. I am going to build an ebike to help strengthen my legs. If someone says I can't ride on a trail, then I'll ride on the road!

[bobj73]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Not as lazy as golf carts: no pedals!

FOR THE RECORD: I have a golf cart...