Tradewind
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2015
- Messages
- 5,150
Unfortunately i think you are correct. I ran across a guy using mechanized equipment ( I wouldn't call it heavy) 'opening up' new trails in an areas where I elkhunt. this was for dirt bikes. but said he generally is hiredRespectfully, I am not sure this is true. I've been following SWMMBA (Southwest Montana Mountain Biking Association) and other groups for a while, and often when those groups mention anything negative about ebikes they get eaten alive by their members. Not a scientific study at all, but I am starting to see a movement and attitude from most mountain bikers that is indifferent to ebikes, and views them as just another flavor of mountain biking. They're not concerned about the progression of technology, or the effects of increased recreation on wildlands. They are focused on trails. It's their bread and butter. I've talked to a fair amount of them, particularly when researching issues in the Elkhorns. I would agree that mountain bikers can be treated unfairly at times, but what I think many have yet to wake up to is that mountain bikers as an advocacy group, are probably more powerful than hunters at this point in terms of manipulating and informing land management and projects moving forward. Land managers want "wins" under their belt, and Mtn Bikers are more organized and well funded than any others. I've heard it from the mouths of agency employees.
To the OP, I am grateful that the USDA still views e-bikes as motorized. Pendley is a fox guarding the henhouse, and this type of BS is expected behavior from this administration. But to my earlier point, say they do put it out for public comment. I predict that comments in support of ebikes on nonmotorized trails will exceed the desired restriction of them or at the very least it will be a wash.
to do it for the mountain bike crowd as they have more money and are better organized to get public land "opened up".
the progrression as I see it is, Hiking trails, then opened up for the peddle bikebecause they shouldn't be left out. Then the motor bike crowd pushes in piggy backing on the peddle assist, eventually you will have everything, including atv's. Unfortunately, I think it is just a mater of time