15 comments

• Larry says...

  Rufus Gondardi tells it like it is……………
  I volunteer at the Laguna Canyon foundation and the abuse on trails is evident. Not content to access existing trails, ebikes have given novice riders the ability to accelerate up hill to poach and create illegal downhill runs potentially jeopardizing future access. The folks I ride with go by the motto of earning those downhill turns and protecting the environment.
  Sports Basement and others in the e mtn bike business should be pushing environmental education as much as they want to sell the bikes.

  On October 09, 2024
• Rufus Gondardi says...

  Seems most people put their own momentary thrills and adventure far above ANY consideration about the detrimental impacts to habitats and other species. I generally think that anything that gets people out into nature is a good thing, but these gizmos are proliferating wildly — and nature is facing yet more erosion and other forms of disturbance (spreading invasive species, stressing wild creatures who tend to be living at the edge already…). People who grouse that they have no choice but to use trails illegally because there aren’t enough legal ones seem to think that they know better than the resource managers. They don’t. I love adrenaline-driven activities out in nature, and I’m grateful that there are many ways to play that don’t cause appreciable harm. E-mountain biking is, on the whole, not one of them. And if you say you don’t harm single track, because you’re a skilled rider, and you say you’re a courteous rider to all you encounter, and you claim to love nature, you still have no viable argument that these bikes are acceptable because sadly, you are in the minority.

  On October 02, 2024
• Gunther Schmidt says...

  I feel like e-bikes have leveled the playing field so we can have truly equality on the trails. We’re finally able to compete with those of the higher melatonin levels that have all the strength and stamina to run all day. If we’re all about equity, finally the common guy can ride with the athletically gifted.

  On August 21, 2024
• Keith says...

  For commuting, grocery shopping or casual riding with family, no problem. Physical challenges of a temporary or permanent nature? E-bikes are a good choice. My experience is that ebike riders don’t know or appear to care about bicycle courtesy and safety. They blast by on walking/multi-use trails without calling out, ride sidewalks at high speeds and often can be seen looking at their phones while riding. I have seen them get stuck on more technical sections of local trails – the e-bike got them to a place they should not have been! One recent e-bike rider collided with the curb and crashed on a busy local street. He may have looking at his phone. I stopped to assist. He momentarily was not moving – just groaning. There was blood running down his leg. I called 911. When he recovered full consciousness and I was still on the phone with the 911 operator he yelled loud enough for the 911 operator to hear that he did not want an ambulance. Is there more to say? Yes! E-bikes are not going away because I don’t like them. The dialogue continues.

  On August 16, 2024
• Brian says...

  I think e bikes are very fun. But also agree w/ other comments… inexperienced people should get better skills prior to going so fast. They should know rules of the road, how to control their bike and just courtesy. I really dislike when people riding fast don’t slow for children or people walking, etc. Too often the ebiker seems entitled… hopefully, this will change w/ better awareness! It’s great to see more people biking!

  On September 05, 2023