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An Open Letter to All Mountain Bikers: "Why Can't We All Just Get Along?"

Nonmotorized access laws were instituted to limit trail access for gas-powered motorcycles, quads/four-wheelers, and other off-road vehicles that are noisy and damage trails. Other levels of access exist for such human-powered activities as hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and, in some regions, horses. These distinctions were clear and well-defined for years, until the recent introduction of a class of mountain bike that seems to blur the lines. That new segment is electric mountain bikes, or eMTBs. Such bikes have an electric-assist motor, but one that is activated only under human power, not like a throttle on a traditional motorized vehicle. Now the question is, Should this new segment of mountain bikes be allowed on mountain bike trails or limited to motorized access trails. Well, who is actually asking the question, and where does the problem arise?

Traditional mountain bikers are fighting with eMTB riders about trail access and the definition of a motorized vehicle. Hikers, trail runners, and horse lovers are watching what is essentially a spat between step-siblings. This division is just what other groups could exploit and say, “These two groups that have more in common than not can't agree on their own bikes, so until they figure it out, why even allow them on the trails?” Such results would hurt access for all MTB riders.

In doing research and talking to dozens of people over the past two years both in person and on-line, the question of eMTB access is not really even coming from hikers and equestrians; it's coming from traditional mountain bikers -- the segment that would actually increase and gain strength by including pedal-assist bikes in their numbers. I have been following the discussion on this site along with many others since I tried my first eMTB. I immediately saw pushback from traditional mountain bikers saying that eMTBs are not allowed on the trails; some even claimed possessively that “they built” the trails, so eMTB riders need to build their own. Most of this resentment has been online, not what I hear when talking to people out on the trails. For the past two years, 90% of my riding has been using my regular mountain bike, and the other 10% has been testing e-bikes to review. If I saw an eMTB, I would stop and ask about their experiences with hikers, horseback riders, and other mountain bikers. The replies I received were pretty interesting and somewhat consistent: the vast majority of negative replies were from other mountain bikers, not hikers, runners, and riders, who view an e-bike as just another bike.

This is where I believe that traditional mountain bikers need to take advantage of the strength in numbers and accept that eMTBs are here to stay. Adding more bikes and more support will make things better for all mountain bikers. We should be united, not divided into subsegments. As I mentioned earlier, when talking to eMTB riders, almost every one of them was a long-time mountain biker; many had shed their own sweat and blood (and/or money) in order to build to the trails that they were riding. All understood trail etiquette, and unless you noticed the oversized down tube or bulbous bottom bracket, you would never know their bikes had a motor. Electric MTBs are mountain bikes, and no matter why people ride them, their goals are the same as those who prefer a traditional drivetrain.

Here are the idealistic notions that some traditional mountain bikers are holding to:
  • E-bikes are cheating. This isn’t a race, unless we are actually talking about a race. Seriously, who are they cheating? If someone uses a vehicle shuttle to a peak for a downhill or even to access a trailhead, couldn't that also be considered cheating?
  • It’s illegal. To the letter of the law, you are right, on some trails. I am questioning the spirit of the law. I will be glad to have the “legal” conversation with anyone who has never gone over the speed limit, come to an incomplete stop at a stop sign, driven after having one too many, smoked something before it was legal, taken more than one when it was “one per customer," etc. etc. Plus, laws change.
  • Because they are heavier, eMTBs will do more damage to the trails. Is there a weight limit on trails? If someone weighs 220 lb and rides a 30lb bike, Isn’t that doing more damage than someone else being 180 and riding a 50lb e-bike? If someone is going to ride 20 mi, which is better: riding the same trail four times at 5 mi each, or doing one long 20-mi ride and not repeating the same trail? *IMBA study on the environmental damage to trails, HERE.
  • E-biking is not exercise. Some people ride to just ride. They are out for different reasons or may not have time for a 3- or 4-hr ride. Any, yes, aski anyone who has spent significant time on an eMTB, if they are getting a workout.
  • E-bikes are too powerful. This I can agree with. There is a valid concern that a 625Wh battery and a 85Nm motor can be too much, but rarely do most riders get out of the lowest two power levels when actually on the trails. Whenever I have used the highest levels of the assist, it is not on the trails but on the roads to access the trails. And this point can be combined with the next one: power does not equate to speed. Some cars have 100 hp and others have 700 hp, and they coexist on the roads just fine. It comes down to the operator.
  • E-bikes are too fast. I am nowhere near as fast as a high-level racer on a trail or even someone looking to beat their best Strava time. Many downhill trails easily see speeds exceeding 25 mph; eMTBs have a max assist of 20 mph. I have followed Strava times, and the average eMTB rider is not close to the top riders.
  • E-bikes are motorcycles. Just stop it. That is a response for when you cannot come back with an intelligent response.
  • Their riders have poor etiquette and are inexperienced. Most eMTB riders I have run into are actually experienced riders who are aware of proper trail etiquette. They are no less polite and are actually more aware of their surroundings; they give the right of way because they know they can restart easier. As far as inexperienced riders, I have seen more on traditional bikes in the past few months than on e-bikes. Riders in general just need more education.
  • They change trail flow. Actually they can help trail flow. Instead of someone stopping on the trail in front of another rider and impeding their momentum, the eMTB rider can actually keep the flow going.
  • You have to “earn” your way to better trail access. Ah, the hazing mentality that some riders cling to …“I had to bust my ass to get on tougher trails, so you do, too.”
  • People will be riding more and the trails will be more crowded. Isn't getting people off the couch and out in nature a good thing? Because of Covid 19, right now there are simply more people on the trails. This has nothing to do with eMTBs -- they are just an easy target.
Most bike brands are doubling down with eMTBs because that is where the industry sees the growth. Santa Cruz, a traditional and well-respected brand, just announced that by the middle of the decade, 50% of its production will be eMTBs. Electric MTBs are an evolution, just as mountain bikes evolved from 60lb modified beach cruisers in the mountains outside San Francisco to what they are now, sub-30lb 180mm-travel full-suspension mountain-crushing machines. Will the traditional riders also evolve? In skiing, we had traditional straight skis, and some said they would never use those newfangled parabolics -- but most everyone has succumbed. I don’t see the same acceptance from all the purist mountain bikers, but the percentage will be higher than most are currently willing to admit.

Moving forward, everyone wants more trail access, no matter what your preferred type of bike. Let's work to build a bridge toward a common goal rather than a wall of division, which is how all mountain bikers could lose access to the trails we love to ride.

*Added 7/24/20
About author
Philpug
I started skiing in the mid-70s in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania; from then on, I found myself entrenched in the industry. I have worked in various ski shops from suburban to ski town to resort, giving me a well-rounded perspective on what skiers want from their gear. That experience was parlayed into my time as a Gear Review Editor and also consulting with manufacturers as a product tester. Along with being a Masterfit-trained bootfitter I am a fully certified self proclaimed Gear Guru. Not only do I keep up with the cutting edge of ski gear technology, but I am an avid gear collector and have an extensive array of bindings as well as many vintage skis.

Replies

Great article. The point that opposition comes from other cyclists and not from outside groups is right on and important to understand.
A small point, 625Wh is a measure of energy, not power, and is not related to motors but rather to battery capacity. The more important point is that more motor doesn't result in faster riding on trails, just like more suspension than needed doesn't.
Also, the legality point is even stickier. Where I live it is illegal to discriminate between eBikes and other bikes in most circumstances, so cyclists and trail managers who attempt to ban eBikes are actually the ones breaking the law. Often, people who make legal arguments don't actually understand local laws.
The evolution of cycling to include electric assist is inevitable, the question is how much pain there will be in the process. We need more articles like this and less empowerment of bigoted special interests. Trails, after all, are on public lands and are managed for the enjoyment of all the public, not just those special interests.
 
I'm extremely uncomfortable with your fundamental premise:

This is where I believe that traditional mountain bikers need to take advantage of the strength in numbers and accept that eMTBs are here to stay. Adding more bikes and more support will make things better for all mountain bikers. We should be united, not divided into subsegments.

The idea that traditional mountain bikes and electric mountain bikes should be combined and managed as one class is a disservice to the ~99% of mountain bikers who don't have motors. They are fundamentally different activities and should be treated as such.

I'm far from alone. The International Mountain Biking Association strongly favors separate regulation of e-MTBs as the best approach to protect trail access for the traditional mountain biking community they represent:

We support trail access for Class 1 eMTBs and support shared use on trails as long as access is not lost or impeded for traditional mountain bikes. IMBA recommends Class 1 eMTBs be managed independently from traditional mountain bikes and we encourage land managers to develop separate regulations. IMBA will continue to engage all stakeholders on this issue in an effort to reach outcomes that best suit all users.
Where it makes sense to land and trail managers, there should always be the right to allow traditional mountain bikes but not motorized vehicles of all sorts, including e-MTBs, as here:

IMG_20200711_195344_1 (1).jpg
 
I'm extremely uncomfortable with your fundamental premise:

This is where I believe that traditional mountain bikers need to take advantage of the strength in numbers and accept that eMTBs are here to stay. Adding more bikes and more support will make things better for all mountain bikers. We should be united, not divided into subsegments.
The idea that traditional mountain bikes and electric mountain bikes should be combined and managed as one class is a disservice to the ~99% of mountain bikers who don't have motors. They are fundamentally different activities and should be treated as such.
Plesase expand on how eMTB's "disservice" to the 99% of mountain bikers and how fundamentally different the activites are?

Also, IMBA did a complete study on the environmentat impact of eMTB's HERE. For anyone wh does not want to read the whole thing, here is their conclusion...
Conclusion
This study found that the impacts from Class 1 eMTBs and traditional mountain bicycles were not significantly different, while motorcycles led to much greater soil displacement and erosion. Observations suggest that Class 1 eMTBs may lead to more displacement under certain trail conditions. More research is needed before conclusions can be drawn regarding the environmental impacts of Class 1 eMTBs as compared with traditional mountain bicycles.
Understanding the potential resource impacts of Class 1 eMTBs is a necessary and important first step for formulating management strategies. Additional research is needed to further assess the range of environmental and social impacts for successful Class 1 eMTB use on public lands. IMBA’s initial study suggests that, with conscientious management and attention to trail design, Class 1 eMTBs may have the potential to offer a beneficial use of public lands with acceptable impacts.
 
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I don't write a MTB often, but do have a nice bike and when not collecting dust it is fun. So I'm not really on either side of this issue -- but, it sure sounds like the "short skis suck" arguments of the '70's. Some will remember. There were resorts that had a lower limit of 190's to ski certain runs (either PC or Keystone). If you weren't ripping 203's or 207's you didn't belong on the "trail." My guess is that all of this has less to do with the e-motor, and more to do with the non-e ego.
 
It's interesting to see this - I'll confess I have not read on the subject on this website or elsewhere much, but as an avid all-cyclist (MTB, eMTB, Dirt bikes and yeah, road bikes) I'll just give you my 2c - somewhat contrarian, as per my usual.

Dirt bikes are not very different from MTB - when used on the single track, certainly. I'm not talking about jacka$$e$ puling wheelies on fire-roads with high noise and high speeds, but the regular enduro riders, the kind that loves the tight, technical single-track. My DTB bikes are all light in their class, 150cc, fairly quiet and since we share little trails with others, low impact.

The erosion that many point to is not that different from MTB. Dirt bikes are heavier but also use fatter tires. We tend to go more aggressive into and out of corners, given the superior traction, power and suspension, but not more than a downhiller would - you're pushing the limits of physics and the body, not of the bike at those speeds - so yes, in places you'll get braking and acceleration bumps, but not a lot more... The erosion depends a lot on the type of soil and trail design. For hard soil, you'll be hard-pressed to tell the difference between a DTB trail and an MTB trail. Sandy soil requires better trail design. And being in a club, we pool resources and have volunteers cut new trail every now and then and replace old eroded sections until nature heals them back.

As it happens, we tend to ride a lot right next to a ski hill that does downhill MTB in the summer and we do both, so I can compare apples directly to apples. Erosion can be easily managed with trail changes and trail design - our club's trail builders are good at what they do, our DTB trails look very much like their MTB trails.

Put in the simplest of ways, from my point of view, with a dirt bike, I go uphill or on flats just as fast as downhill MTB-ers go downhill, so I don't have to ride the lift up and I can go at it for hours with a big smile, to make the drive worth it, even where there's no lift. Why would they pick on me, I have no idea... other than... what, jealousy?

It's not even a price issue - you can pickup a good DTB for the same money as a very good MTB, slightly more expensive to account for the gas sucker, but you get much better race suspension and multi-piston hydraulic brakes with most DTB also, so there's 2-3k worth of the difference.

Again, our DTB trails are marked, maintained and reserved and you do meet the occasional MTB-er who looks at us funny until you point out that he's trespassing and likely endangering himself or herself, but we slow down, make room and try to be polite, as normal people would be. Same with hikers and horse riders, of course. Much like a downhiller would meet hikers in a fast sweeping corner...

It's really funny though to see MTB-ers pick on eMTB-ers, since an eMTB is actually no different than an MTB. I rode an eMTB for a full day, in the middle of a two-week MTB vacation, on the same trails and it actually works the exact same way up or down, it's just a tiny bit heavier and doesn't go any faster down or up - it just helps you go at it longer, for a lot more fun per hour! The drawback is being a little more sluggish in corners from what I've noticed... they lack the advantages of a DTB in control, suspension and braking power and have the disadvantage of being a bit heavier.

Erosion-wise, I fail to see how an eMTB would erode more, honestly... maybe marginally more, being heavier - but when you struggle uphill, braking hard into corners is the last thing on your mind and when going downhill you just can't go any faster!!!

Perhaps an issue that MTB-ers have with eMTB-ers is that it lowers the barriers to entry into the sport at a "serious" level and so you'll sometimes meet people that don't know what they're doing? Yeah - been there done that.

I do not see why, if one's older or not as fit, he or she should be denied the pleasure, just because some feel... uhh... how would "they" feel? Disadvantaged?

It sounds like the rider of a 200$ MTB would pick on those riding the much faster, lighter and better in all ways 5k$ or 10k$ MTB. They're lighter, support more speed, more comfortable and you can have a lot more fun while going at it for longer. Next step up: eMTB.

Bottom line, while I can see there being some conflict between DTB and MTB on the same trails, although not erosion-related, I do not see a big difference between eMTB and MTB. We pay the same taxes and those taxes or club fees pay for those trails, so I don't see why "you" would be more "equal" than me...

I could put up the latest Strava record and you'll be surprised to see 21kmh average on DTB. And we're not slow... if you bother to look into it, the average for MTB is 16 kmh overall with downhill sections close to our average, at 19kmh. Do I get more tired doing 16 on a MTB than 20 on a DTB? You bet!

cheers.
 
This fight reminds me of archery. The long bow shooters complained about recurve shooters who complained about the original compound shooters who complain about the newer, faster compound bows shooters who complain about cross bows. In the end, except for maybe cross bows, they are just different ways to achieve the same result. Combined together they are a much stronger group than they are separately fighting each other.

Ebikes, both road and mtn, are not going anywhere and, IMO, it would be better for traditional bike riders to work with instead of against.
 
Well said. This article has been linked on several Facebook eMTB groups I'm a member of.

In the 2 1/2 years I've been riding eMTB I've seen attitudes changing as people realize they are here to stay and offer some distinct advantages for the average person who just wants to have fun riding.
 
That was a very well written article Phil. I have to credit e-biking with getting me back into biking at all. I hadn't ridden any bike at all for about 10 years due to knee issues (ski related). Having an e-bike has allowed me to get back on a bike. In my third year of ownership, I'm now at a point where I do more biking than driving within town.

It's really up to the user to use ebikes in a way that they are not causing grief to others. As other have pointed out, as equipment has changed in any sport, it can lead to awkward tension between experienced users and those that are getting in over their heads. Think out that moment Scott Chute opens on a powder day....the fat ski revolution puts a lot of people into the mix that probably should have stuck to Weasel run.

From my perspective, those that are creating new MTB/eMTB trails should adopt some standard signage that helps people make smart choice. Green circles, blue squares and black diamonds seems to work for the ski industry. That gets more to the root of the problem. Its certainly safer than kicking ebikes over to the motorcycle trails, where the speed of motorcycles can easily be triple that of the ebikes.

The whole trail damage thing is mind boggling to me. As a teen, I spent some long summers building trails that discouraged disruption and erosion. Looking at a lot of recently built MTB trails, a lot of that gone right out the window...and don't even get me started on horses...
 
Last year while riding in the Bend OR area last fall I saw many no e-bike signs. I found the following info:

 
Plesase expand on how eMTB's "disservice" to the 99% of mountain bikers and how fundamentally different the activites are?

Also, IMBA did a complete study on the environmentat impact of eMTB's HERE. For anyone wh does not want to read the whole thing, here is their conclusion...

As for "disservice", I think I was clear in what I wrote: "The idea that traditional mountain bikes and electric mountain bikes should be combined and managed as one class is a disservice to the ~99% of mountain bikers who don't have motors."

The disservice is combining eMTBs and human-powered mountain bikes into a single group for managing trail access.

eMTBs are fundamentally different because they have motors. Managers of trails built for non-motorized use should not be required to allow eMTB access just because human-powered mountain bikes are allowed. Doing so would be a disservice to traditional mountain bikers because both activities could be denied access when lumped together as one.

eMTB access to trails should be managed separately from human-powered bikes. It's no different than how Class 1 e-bike access is managed separately from Class 2 e-bike access which is managed separately from Class 3 e-bikes. There are trails where each does and does not belong. Trail managers should have the ability to allow and deny each type of activity at their discretion.

This is all about trail access, not environmental impact. Trail access is my primary concern as well as IMBA's.

For decades, long before e-bikes, trails have been built specifically for non-motorized use. Enormous efforts have been taken to build and reroute trails to allow them to be completely mon-motorized. Mountain bikers have worked long and hard to help build these trails and to advocate for mountain bike access, often against strong opposition. This access continues to be tenuous.

Can eMTB advocates agree that there are non-motorized trails where their motorized e-bikes may not belong and that the managers of those trails should have the option to allow human-powered mountain bikes but not eMTB's?

From a human-powered mountian biker's point of view, that would be a big step in allowing us all to get along.
 
As for "disservice", I think I was clear in what I wrote: "The idea that traditional mountain bikes and electric mountain bikes should be combined and managed as one class is a disservice to the ~99% of mountain bikers who don't have motors."

The disservice is combining eMTBs and human-powered mountain bikes into a single group for managing trail access.

eMTBs are fundamentally different because they have motors. Managers of trails built for non-motorized use should not be required to allow eMTB access just because human-powered mountain bikes are allowed. Doing so would be a disservice to traditional mountain bikers because both activities could be denied access when lumped together as one.

eMTB access to trails should be managed separately from human-powered bikes. It's no different than how Class 1 e-bike access is managed separately from Class 2 e-bike access which is managed separately from Class 3 e-bikes. There are trails where each does and does not belong. Trail managers should have the ability to allow and deny each type of activity at their discretion.

This is all about trail access, not environmental impact. Trail access is my primary concern as well as IMBA's.

For decades, long before e-bikes, trails have been built specifically for non-motorized use. Enormous efforts have been taken to build and reroute trails to allow them to be completely mon-motorized. Mountain bikers have worked long and hard to help build these trails and to advocate for mountain bike access, often against strong opposition. This access continues to be tenuous.

Can eMTB advocates agree that there are non-motorized trails where their motorized e-bikes may not belong and that the managers of those trails should have the option to allow human-powered mountain bikes but not eMTB's?

From a human-powered mountian biker's point of view, that would be a big step in allowing us all to get along.
I guess I'm still not sure how ebikes are not human powered. They may not be 100% human powered but without peddling, they go nowhere.

I am looking at this issue from the point of a land manager (park ranger/manager for almost 30 years) and not a rider. A good rider on a non-e bike is still going to be faster than a more inexperienced rider on an ebike. I would much rather have ebikes on existing trails than downhill, or any other bike type, poaching new trails like happened as downhill riding became popular in the early 90s. Like so many other things it's more a matter of education, and following the education, than equipment. IMHO.
 
In principle, I have some issues with eBikes, like @tball. In practice, though, I have yet to meet an eBike rider who is actually doing or saying any of the things I might object to. They're all just ... other mountain bikers. So ... I'm happily calling it a non issue for the moment. :wave:
 
In principle, I have some issues with eBikes, like @tball. In practice, though, I have yet to meet an eBike rider who is actually doing or saying any of the things I might object to. They're all just ... other mountain bikers. So ... I'm happily calling it a non issue for the moment. :wave:
@Tony S thats just it. Are there inexperienced eMTB'ers out there? I am sure but I will say most are not eMTB owners, most are renters. Most bikers that are new to the sport are not going to drop down $4-7K for an entry level EMTB. Most new to the sport of mountain biking might spend $1-3K on a starter bike. Almost every eMTBer I have run into on the trail were experienced riders that have been riding mountain bikes for literally decades, they know the etiquette and how to ride. The only issue I have seen was virtual. I started a thread on an EMTB.com. Riding with your non eMTB friends, what is the etiquette? The replies that it got were ranging from disappointing to asinine, comments like "Drop and humilate them on climbs" and "Mock them as a blow past them" juvenlile responses. It got to the point I added a reply that I often use here..."When you are replying to a thread, you are not only answering the original question but also the people who are lurking and have the same question but are afraid to ask" I added, with these responses, someone who might be considering an eMTB might think, "why would I want to be associated with a group like this". I am sure some of the comments were tough internet talk and/or in jest but it really makes the segment look bad. Like you, I have had no issues and yes we are just other mountain bikers.
 
I’m old enough now to have heard what essentially the same argument several times. In the late 70’s , I raced in 3 or 4 cyclocross events. This is before the advent of the “mountain bike “ and was done essentially on a road bike with road sized tires raced through woods and trails. With the low bottom bracket and relatively weak rims, we jumped over all obstacles-fallen trees, large rocks etc. When mountain bikes started to appear, there was a lot of grumbling about “ cheating “ but it was an improvement and while cyclocross still exists mountain biking is vastly more popular because it makes more sense for most riders and made off- road cycling more accessible and opened areas that would have been previously un -rideable .

In a couple of weeks I’m going to be riding my first e-MTB. Hip problems have made riding long distances ,especially uphill, difficult. Do I not have the right as a long time cyclist to enjoy the trails I’ve enjoyed for years on a MTB now that age has taken its toll?

Two things are almost always certain ; A. Someone has done it before and B, change is inevitable. How we manage the change determines our success .
 
First, l want to say that I am not anti E-bike so I hope this post doesn’t come out sounding that way.
As an avid mountain biker since the beginning or at least the last 35 years, I have seen a lot especially the struggles to get some areas open to MTB. So far my encounters with E bikes have mostly been a non-issue, I have even done rides with a few in the group.
I am pretty sure that at least half the time I don’t even notice them on the trails even though they are probably there. I don’t think I would have any issues at all if they ride responsibly, legally & follow the rules.
Am I gonna have to stop & move my bike off the trail so they can overtake me on the climb?

I have been startled a number of times when an E-bike has passed me quickly and closely from behind with no bell or warning.
A few weeks ago while descending a narrow, very steep chunky trail at 2pm on a hot day I saw 2 bikers climbing & thought they must be pretty hardcore to be climbing that trail especially at that time of day. I am not used to stopping on that trail or seeing people climb it but I saw a safe place to pull over to let them pass, so I did. Turned out to be two E-bikers & I felt a little put out because the trail is closed to E-bikes & I doubt my ride would’ve been interrupted at that time of day by anyone else.
The fact is that there are only a few trails in the South Lake Tahoe/Eldorado National Forest area that are open to E-bikes. The problem l see that is not doing the E-bike cause any good is the blatant disregard or ignorance when it comes to these closed trails.

Most of the “No E bike” signs in my local trail system have been scraped off and in one case they actually cut that portion of the sign off. Of course since then some anti E-bikers have come by with a sharpie and wrote “No E bikes“ back in.
874850EF-752D-46FB-8097-40E4B506E1E4.jpeg


This is what the signs looked like before. The desecration is on federal land and therefore probably a federal offense! Just seems like kind of a thoughtless thing to do and probably doesn’t do the E bike cause any good.
C3CA0543-FC70-46A6-A020-C8F0BD28CC2F.jpeg


We also have a number of E-bikes and lime scooters illegally riding the already too busy paved city bike trails.

Like I said, so far E-bikes have not affected my riding much but not sure that will be the case as it gains popularity.
 
If I saw hand written notes on a sign I'd be tempted to think it wasn't legit. It's too bad people can't follow the rules. One problem with USFS land is it takes forever to get any changes done. That is frustrating for many.
 
I guess I'm still not sure how ebikes are not human powered. They may not be 100% human powered but without peddling, they go nowhere.
If you barely have to spin your pedals to make the e-bike motor do the vast majority of the work, is that still human-powered?

The "Shuttle Mode" on the new Specialized Kenevo does just that. Spin at 50 rpm and get full power:

With Shuttle activated, you easily get full motor support when pedaling in a higher cadence with less torque (equals leg power). Generally speaking, the motor delivers high power in the most typical riding cadences above 50 RPM when Shuttle is on. So, if you’re someone that prefers to spin a high cadence with less leg power, you’re now able to get maximum motor support.
How is that different than having a throttle? The throttle is just spinning your pedals a bit and it's still classified as a Class 1 e-bike.

Specialized made a great video that highlights how this feature makes eMTBs fundamentally different than human-powered mountain bikes:


I am looking at this issue from the point of a land manager (park ranger/manager for almost 30 years) and not a rider. A good rider on a non-e bike is still going to be faster than a more inexperienced rider on an ebike. I would much rather have ebikes on existing trails than downhill, or any other bike type, poaching new trails like happened as downhill riding became popular in the early 90s. Like so many other things it's more a matter of education, and following the education, than equipment. IMHO.
30 years, wow. Thanks for your service to the great outdoors!

I'm sure you saw the heavy impact of downhill mountain biking on trails and most importantly other users. The downhill mountain bike crowd has always been the miscreants, bombing down often with little respect for other trail users. They have long annoyed me as a mountain biker, and are always brought up as a reason to close trails to mounting bikers by the hiking and equestrian contingents.

One of my primary issues with eMTBs is they are making downhill mountain bikers more prevalent. You no longer need a shuttle or lift for your downhill fun. Just buy just an eMTB. Rides where shuttles were previously impractical or impossible now become downhill training courses. This will inevitably further piss off the mountain bike hating contingents and further limit trail access. That's the concern.

That said, I'd love to own a Kenevo. It looks like a total blast. I'd love a downhill bike, especially one where I didn't' need lifts or a shuttle. I'd personally use it in ski area bike parks without needing the lift. The trails are so much fun and the lift only runs a small percentage of the time and is expensive.

I'd have no expectation, though, that my downhill bike with a huge motor and battery should be allowed access to trails that managers believe should be non-motorized only
 
I seem to recall last summer the use on USFS, National Parks, etc trails came up. *IF* I remember correctly, it was questioned how is an E Bike different from an electric assist wheel chair. I believe the feds came back with some definition around indoor and outdoor use that can grant access for all vs an E Bike that is strictly for outdoor use for everyone. General theme may not be worded exactly right.
 

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