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Where I live they provide sidewalks and separate bike lanes along regular traffic.
I ride the bike lanes on my ebike. Home built I can much faster than most ebikes and if I come up on others using the lane, I check my mirrors and move into the empty traffic lane and pass.
I try to be careful with these issues , no one wants an accident.
Though more people are getting into ebikes for commuting to work I don’t see any problem yet.
A disaster waiting to happen. Not only crashes, but anger. And destroying the surface of the “walkways” themselves.
Destroying what? It’s a bike. I ride an ebike and analog bikers in spandex ride faster and more precariously than anyone I know on ebikes. And guess what? We’ve been riding ebikes on all the greenways for 5 yrs. No accidents or environmental damage yet.
In general I agree that people should look out and pay attention. But I'm not sure it's reasonable to think that people *won't* be listening to music or won't be on a phone call. I have to wonder if any bike riders listen to music.
Then just be on the far right side moving in a predictable manner so others can act accordingly.
Destroying what? It’s a bike. I ride an ebike and analog bikers in spandex ride faster and more precariously than anyone I know on ebikes. And guess what? We’ve been riding ebikes on all the greenways for 5 yrs. No accidents or environmental damage yet.
Concern is just for the compression of soil by the weight of the bikes, particularly if ruts are generated and rainwater washes through them. Speed and higher surface area of tires all have slight effects but they add up. That’s why high use paths and freeways are asphalted. Now that Wake county is attracting even More residents we will probably need to watch over and maintain our parks and greenways even more.
I'm pretty sure e-bikes have been allowed on the greeways for a while, but only pedal assist
They don't damage paved trails anymore than bikes or hikers, not nearly as bad as horses on ATT
Many people imagine ebikes are like mopeds, or act just like one. Not even close.
Those who have medical issues, knee replacements, hip replacements, heart issues can finally enjoy cycling without hurting themselves, unless they fall off their bike. The bike makes it easier to stay within a target level of exertion. The average ebike rider is >40 yrs old.
There's nothing about a Pedelec class ebike that makes it anything more than a regular bike with some assistance (like if someone was walking behind and helping push the rider). The bikes don't ride themselves, they don't pedal themselves, the cyclist has to do the work, with assistance which can be set from zero assist up to a high level of assist. There's no vroom vroom motorbike noise, or any loud noise at all. 2 wheels, rubber tires, handlebars, pedals. It's a bike.
The fear is much ado about nothing.
Quote:
To me, the biggest fear/danger are the users (walk/run/bike/etc) who have headphones on and don't pay attention. These people don't hear the call-outs (on your left), they don't hear the bells, and they don't know what's coming up behind them. Too many close calls with these people.
(Unattended kids are a close second, as are dogs on retractable leashes, which is illegal if it's over 6')
On my bike, I watch out for all of them. Never assume they hear you!
This is true, and that affects ALL bike riders, regardless of what kind or style of bike they have. All riders need to know the rules and follow the rules on Greenways and on roads. Pedestrians on Greenways are often unfamiliar with the rules on multi-use paths.
Concern is just for the compression of soil by the weight of the bikes, particularly if ruts are generated and rainwater washes through them. Speed and higher surface area of tires all have slight effects but they add up. That’s why high use paths and freeways are asphalted. Now that Wake county is attracting even More residents we will probably need to watch over and maintain our parks and greenways even more.
I would tend to disagree with your logic. A high end mountain bike (carbon fiber) weighs about 30 lbs. Most of these e-bikes weigh upwards of 60 lbs. But you are ignoring the weight of the rider, which could be anywhere from 100 to 300 lbs. The rider weight has more of a contribution.
I agree that tire contact patch area may be slightly larger for an e-bike, and as you state, have a slight cumulative effect. But this argument only would apply to bikes on dirt paths, not on asphalted greenways, which is what this thread is about. But I do agree that perhaps more maintenance will be necessary as more riders use the trails, no matter what type of bike they are riding.
Pedestrians on Greenways are often unfamiliar with the rules on multi-use paths.
This also applies to pedestrians on non-greenway trails that are multi-use. I was at Crabtree on Friday, riding my bicycle on the multi-use trails, when I came upon a pedestrian standing in the middle of the trail, with earbuds in his ears, looking down at his phone to change tracks/playlists. I called out "Coming up behind you" while I was still 30 yards away. No response. "Coming up on your left!". Still no response. "HELLO?!?!". Still no response. So I rode right past him at 10 mph. I'm sure it surprised the hell out of him.
This also applies to pedestrians on non-greenway trails that are multi-use. I was at Crabtree on Friday, riding my bicycle on the multi-use trails, when I came upon a pedestrian standing in the middle of the trail, with earbuds in his ears, looking down at his phone to change tracks/playlists. I called out "Coming up behind you" while I was still 30 yards away. No response. "Coming up on your left!". Still no response. "HELLO?!?!". Still no response. So I rode right past him at 10 mph. I'm sure it surprised the hell out of him.
In general I agree that people should look out and pay attention. But I'm not sure it's reasonable to think that people *won't* be listening to music or won't be on a phone call. I have to wonder if any bike riders listen to music.
Speaking for myself only:
NEVER on headphones. If I want to hear music, I play it over a speaker. It may annoy others, but they can hear me coming, and I can hear others behind me too.
(I will ride remote single track trails with headphones, but that is a completely different situation, and I would not do it on a popular trail.)
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