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Reader Participation Day: Where Should Electric Bikes Be Allowed In The Parks?

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Published Date

June 26, 2019

Should electric bikes and perhaps electric scooters be allowed on the carriage roads at Acadia National Park?/Rebecca Latson file

A story caught my eye the other day. It centered on electric bikes, and where they can roam in the National Park System. The story centered around Acadia National Park in Maine and raised the prospect that e-bikes might one day be allowed to travel the park's iconic carriage roads. Is that a good idea?

For now, the park is blocking the motorized bikes from heading down the carriage roads, which are restricting to muscle-powered cyclists, hikers, and equestrian travelers. But the AP story adds that "new rules are expected in the coming weeks."

“I’m hoping that they’re going to come to reality,” said one of the cyclists interviewed by the AP. “This will get more popular as time goes on.”

Well, there are a lot of popular things out there, but do they all deserve access in the parks? Remember Segways? What about those electric scooters that are all the rage in metropolitan areas? Will they be next to seek access to trails and areas normally off-limits to motorized vehicles?

In Canada, a pilot program is under way to test e-bikes on trails in Jasper National Park. 

"There's a lot of places in the national park that are accessible by bike but maybe not to the entire general public due to limitations on fitness, etc.," Marc Vien, sales manager at Jasper Source for Sports, told CBC News. "But those e-bikes allow people to get to those places easily."

Tell us, travelers, how much access in the National Park System should electric bikes have?

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Comments

Submitted by Joan on June 26, 2019 - 8:08am.

no electric bikes in parks. 


Submitted by Saul Rosen on June 26, 2019 - 8:15am.

I am 65 years old and have enjoyed casual biking most of my life. 15 months ago, I became more than casual a biker after purchasing an ebike. To hear the NPS is not allowing ebikes  in national parks is Short sighted, ignorant and not rational. The states have rules regarding the classification of ebikes. The feds should follow them.

 

 


Submitted by Jake on June 26, 2019 - 8:20am.

If our National Parks we're better funded I would be in support of pedal assist bikes with speed restriction in areas currently open to biking. These types of bikes would increase accessibility without necessitating any significant changes to our parks. Unfortunately, this will require enforcement of speed limits and types of ebikes on trails, and since the NPS is consistently understaffed and under funded I doubt it could be adequately monitored. It should also be noted that anytime a new user group is granted access to a park it will lead to increased visitation, which is a double edged sword. (More people experiencing nation parks is good, loving our parks to death is bad.)


Submitted by B L on June 26, 2019 - 8:55am.

Best thing for arthritic knees is to get out and move!  I hike and bike and feel better!!!  Try it; you might like it too!


Submitted by Jennifer on June 26, 2019 - 8:55am.

we go to parks for peace & tranquility. Please No Motorized vehicles!! 


Submitted by Isadore on June 26, 2019 - 9:26am.

A motor is a motor. No motors on park trails. Period.

 


Submitted by tazzman on June 26, 2019 - 9:37am.

Allow ebikes because they are quiet. But all others should be limited. 


Submitted by Elaine Womack on June 26, 2019 - 9:54am.

Yes, they should be allowed. They are quiet so will not disturb the tranquility of the park. Our parks need to be utilized and enjoy! 

Yes to electric bikes !


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