I was out riding recently on one of the trails above my house and got pulled over by a park ranger. He wrote me a ticket for having a "motorized vehicle" on park land. I explained to him that under California state law, ebikes are considered bicycles and not motorized vehicles. He wrote me the ticket anyway.
I researched the posted rules, and after about an hour of searching, I found that sure enough, the stupid parks system here has specifically prohibited ebikes from the unpaved trails in their district. I was unaware of this and for the past 8 years thought riding my bike was OK. I have passed by park rangers many times in the past and the just waved and smiled.
The ticket was $509!
I'm not sure what their rationale for banning ebikes is, but my guess it's a bunch of Karens that just want the trails for themselves and don't want to share with anyone else. They ranger that wrote me the ticket said that "people" were complaining about the ebikes. My observation is about half the bikes I see on the trails are ebikes.
In searching out the rules, I ran across the Electric Mountain Bike Association, which has been pushing to change the rules, mostly in southern California.
I gave them a generous donation to help their cause. If it can work down there, it can work here, and hopefully the idea spreads.
Their website is here: Electric Mountain Bike Association
They also have a petition going to get the rules changed. Please sign the petition if you want to help get ebikes allowed on park lands.
ebike petition
I'm sure they could use donations if you are inclined also.
I researched the posted rules, and after about an hour of searching, I found that sure enough, the stupid parks system here has specifically prohibited ebikes from the unpaved trails in their district. I was unaware of this and for the past 8 years thought riding my bike was OK. I have passed by park rangers many times in the past and the just waved and smiled.
The ticket was $509!
I'm not sure what their rationale for banning ebikes is, but my guess it's a bunch of Karens that just want the trails for themselves and don't want to share with anyone else. They ranger that wrote me the ticket said that "people" were complaining about the ebikes. My observation is about half the bikes I see on the trails are ebikes.
In searching out the rules, I ran across the Electric Mountain Bike Association, which has been pushing to change the rules, mostly in southern California.
I gave them a generous donation to help their cause. If it can work down there, it can work here, and hopefully the idea spreads.
Their website is here: Electric Mountain Bike Association
They also have a petition going to get the rules changed. Please sign the petition if you want to help get ebikes allowed on park lands.
ebike petition
I'm sure they could use donations if you are inclined also.