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Trigger warning: Are ebikes still pariahs?

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Liquidmantis

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Okay, donning the nomex suit... Look, full honesty here, I have been in a bad place since covid lockdowns. I'm a computer guy, and was in aviation, so basically the last three years I've lived though round after round after round of layoffs. Combined with a bad knee injury from a biking wreck, I've been in a constant state of depression since the start of 2020. Now I'm ridiculously out of shape and much heavier than I've ever been... Anyway, to cut my sob story [somewhat] short, I'm heavily considering getting an ebike to aid my road to recovery and getting back to the point where I can actually ride front range trails.

What is the current state of the world of ebikes? Am I going to get beat down on the trails? What trails allow ebikes these days?

Hot stale beer for the first person to tell me to man up and just get fit. I WANT TO.
 
#3 ·
A couple of articles for you:

fattebikes.com

Electric Bikes in Denver | Ebikes Denver | Rules

Getting around Denver on an ebike is fast and fun. You can ride electric bikes on Denver streets and bike paths, giving you the flexibility to ride around Denver with ease and efficiency. Ebikes Built in the USA company FattE Bikes advocates bicycle safety and etiquette.
fattebikes.com fattebikes.com

voltacycles.com

Denver eBike Laws - Denver eBike Classifications & Safety

If you’re ready for an eBike ride around the Mile-High City, what do you need to know regarding traffic rules and Denver eBike laws?
voltacycles.com voltacycles.com

I would think that just getting an ebike and getting out and about on bike paths would be a great start just to get in the habit of riding one. I used to ride the frontage road down near Morrison that went parallel to C470 up to Green Mountain, up and down, when trails were unrideable but, hey, I was riding and do it enough it's a workout. You don't need to mix up your fallow singletrack riding skills with getting fit, maybe just work on your fitness first
 
#4 ·
Although attitudes vary regionally, ebike resistance remains ubiquitous.
...but is waning by degree daily.
Buy whichever 'bike' you want and then ride it legally.
Be friendly, be a good trail steward, all will end well.
=sParty
 
#5 · (Edited)
If anyone hassles you about being on an ebike, just ride away from them. They likely won't be able to keep up. And if they can, wear em down a bit, stop, and commend them on their commitment to being a jackwagon.

*assuming you ain't poaching
 
#6 ·
All Colorado State Parks allow eBikes, and beginning this year you can pay the reduced $29 annual parks pass fee with your vehicle registration. Most of Jefferson County allows them on soft surface trails. The US Forest Service allows them anywhere motos are allowed, which includes quite a bit of great trail and 4x roads. Many other areas do not allow them on non-motorized trail, so you will want to check each area individually. (For example, eBikes are not allowed on non-motorized USFS singletrack in Summit County, but there is a great motorized singletrack area in Frey Gulch and on Tenderfoot mountain, just acrosss Highway 6 in Keystone).
In what part of the Front Range do you reside? This may help others point you in the right direction.
 
#11 ·
plummet said:
Do what ever is best legal for you and disregard any haters.
Click to expand...
FTFY.

The only issue I have with them is that in our region trail access is the biggest issue, and they are not legal on every trail. When people ride them where they are not allowed, they risk access for everyone.

As long as every follows the rules they should ride whatever they want.
 
#13 ·
My story: I never wanted to ride, worked long hours and was very unfit. My husband bought me a quality e-bike after my first one turned out to be a lemon.

I started to love biking. Then he took me to mtb trails. I became hooked!

Biking improved my mental health and helped me recover from the pandemic.

So this strategy worked for me! The unexpected thing is I became fit enough that I started to enjoy biking on a regular MTB too!
 
#14 ·
Julie_X1 said:
My story: I never wanted to ride, worked long hours and was very unfit. My husband bought me a quality e-bike after my first one turned out to be a lemon.

I started to love biking. Then he took me to mtb trails. I became hooked!

Biking improved my mental health and helped me recover from the pandemic.

So this strategy worked for me! The unexpected thing is I became fit enough that I started to enjoy biking on a regular MTB too!
Click to expand...
One of us
One of us
 
#16 ·
As long as you are on a trail that allows ebikes, nobody in the real world you meet on ebike legal trails actually cares.

If you go on trails you aren't allowed and be a jerk, then you will probably attract some unwanted attention.

It is important to know before you go, because places like Boulder County have a mix of trails:
bouldercounty.gov

E-bikes on Open Space

bouldercounty.gov bouldercounty.gov
 
#17 · (Edited)
I am much in the same situation, out of shape, little overweight, needed something to help with training to get back where I was. I decided a canyon e-gravel bike would be the best all round bike. I fit 2.1 tires to give a bit of cushion and has proven to be a very versatile bike on and off road. I will wait about 3 more years before I get a full suspension e- Mt bike given their rapid improvements.
 
#19 ·
I am an e-bike hypocrite! I bristle a bit whenever I get passed by an E-bike and have the urge to yell, "Cheater," but know that I would totally love to have one. That being said, I would never say anything to someone on the trail or having one. I actually get a kick out of seeing old dudes on them. Good for them. Gives me hope for the future.
 
#20 ·
The local trails around Monument are mostly non-motorized USFS trails. I'm fine sharing with class 1 ebikes when the riders are mindful of other trail users. That seems to be the prevailing attitude, but they are technically illegal, so some people are rightfully irritated.

Personally, I save any direct comments on legal use of trails for users of emotos and electric monowheels. Those don't belong on our multi use trails with wandering kids, horses, etc.
 
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Liquidmantis
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