In a statement that's sure to stir a bit of conversation among America's cycling community, Friends of Big Bend Ranch State Park wrote "E-bikes may sound like a good idea
That highlights a few potential problems with e-bikes.
Some are “single-speed” with motor assist. But without the motor, single-speed would be a nightmare for someone who doesn’t have the leg strength.
And it’s unclear what model she had. Some are in excess of 60lbs (+whatever gear you bring), which would also be very challenging to ride if you aren’t used to it.
We don’t know the fitness of the rider, either (although, the article says she pushed the thing 20 miles!). Some people choose e-bikes because they don’t have the physical ability to pedal, so who knows?
Granted, anyone going on a remote ride that far out into the wilderness really needs to have a plan a, b, and c. At the very least, a satellite emergency device to call for help, or an ebike that can function without power.
Remember the old two stroke pedal mopeds of the 1970s and early 80s? The only reason they had pedals at all was to comply with laws allowing “motorized cycles.” They were absolutely not usable by pedaling alone. Not only were they extremely heavy, the crank arms were waaaaay too short.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all if some ebikes were being manufactured in a similar way, complying with regulations by having “functional” pedals (which would allow you to pedal in order to activate or assist the electric drivetrain but not operate the bike on pedal alone), but being low-speed electric motorcycles for all practical purposes.
I know that some most definitely do have pedals simply for compliance, but they are utterly useless to move the bike. Those e-bikes tend to look like vespas or faux motorcycles.
But I wish they mentioned the model here. I’d find it surprising if an e-mountain bike couldn’t be moved through human power alone… but an e-dirt bike or something large that pretends to be an “e-bike”, yeah, you aren’t going to move that using pedals.
That highlights a few potential problems with e-bikes.
Some are “single-speed” with motor assist. But without the motor, single-speed would be a nightmare for someone who doesn’t have the leg strength.
And it’s unclear what model she had. Some are in excess of 60lbs (+whatever gear you bring), which would also be very challenging to ride if you aren’t used to it.
We don’t know the fitness of the rider, either (although, the article says she pushed the thing 20 miles!). Some people choose e-bikes because they don’t have the physical ability to pedal, so who knows?
Granted, anyone going on a remote ride that far out into the wilderness really needs to have a plan a, b, and c. At the very least, a satellite emergency device to call for help, or an ebike that can function without power.
Remember the old two stroke pedal mopeds of the 1970s and early 80s? The only reason they had pedals at all was to comply with laws allowing “motorized cycles.” They were absolutely not usable by pedaling alone. Not only were they extremely heavy, the crank arms were waaaaay too short.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all if some ebikes were being manufactured in a similar way, complying with regulations by having “functional” pedals (which would allow you to pedal in order to activate or assist the electric drivetrain but not operate the bike on pedal alone), but being low-speed electric motorcycles for all practical purposes.
I know that some most definitely do have pedals simply for compliance, but they are utterly useless to move the bike. Those e-bikes tend to look like vespas or faux motorcycles.
But I wish they mentioned the model here. I’d find it surprising if an e-mountain bike couldn’t be moved through human power alone… but an e-dirt bike or something large that pretends to be an “e-bike”, yeah, you aren’t going to move that using pedals.