E-bike Access?

[Hammsolo]

Interesting! I am new to this forum and looking for information on this subject:
I am 72 years old and have always loved my hunting fishing and hiking, Years past I would be the first to be against any motorized access into my hunting areas, I am known to go were no other would go and always got discouraged if i did run into another hunter, as rarely as it did happen.
now this body is struggling to access my favorite hunting grounds and looking into hunting e bikes. having off road mountain bikes for years i do not agree that e bikes would create erosion any more than a mountain bike and definitely less than a gas-powered dirt bike or a four-wheeler. many of the laws/rules and regulations pertaining to this is very vague at best (only one way to find out) I go by "it is easier to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission" .
I have had a couple accidents over the years where my knees are having issues and now paying the price and waiting for a date for another surgery. Input anyone ?

You can read other info from me, but I actually am an expert in this area.

I have had multiple knee surgeries, and will have another knee replacement at some point.

I am a grinder. I exercise hard to stay as fit as possible, and had to overcome 6 surgeries in 3 years recently.

I spin a metric shiz ton, and mountain bike even more. I climb thousands of feet a year and bomb down mountains for the thrill of it sans motor.

I have rode many e-bikes now, but have never owned one. They are motor bikes. They “assist” at minimum and some go beyond. They cause more erosion. E-bikes increase force. Force = Mass x Acceleration and increased force equals increased weathering, which equals increased erosion. People ride them for this reason. I watch guys blow by me on the climb, and they can turn more laps. This increases erosion also.

E-bikes are motorized. In turn they must stay away from non-motorized areas.

I am only 47, but have torture tested my body. I know my days of grinding will come to an end. Father Time always wins, and I smile at the thought of my kids and grandkids earning their “back country” adventures. For now though, I give Father Time the one finger salute and hit the gym to fight another day. Maybe it’s time for you to give him a hug?

 

[Thistledew]

If you can't get to where you want to go anymore because of your bad knees, then you ought to find somewhere else that is more accessible for you.

Lowering the bar or sliding the scale in your favor isn't the solution. Aging out happens. I'm sure I'll be upset/frustrated when it happens to me someday, but that's life. Wild places and wilderness are special because of the barrier to entry. Lowering the barrier for your gratification is selfish. I know it's extrapolating quite a bit here, but where do you stop if you allow e-bikes? There are e-dirt bikes and e-four-wheelers. Should we allow those?

If you're set on an e-bike to extend your hunting into your mid-70s cool, just do it somewhere it is legally allowed.

Also, this...

this is a BS selfish attitude.

Impressive ! big man behind a keyboard

 

[Thistledew]

You can read other info from me, but I actually am an expert in this area.

I have had multiple knee surgeries, and will have another knee replacement at some point.

I am a grinder. I exercise hard to stay as fit as possible, and had to overcome 6 surgeries in 3 years recently.

I spin a metric shiz ton, and mountain bike even more. I climb thousands of feet a year and bomb down mountains for the thrill of it sans motor.

I have rode many e-bikes now, but have never owned one. They are motor bikes. They “assist” at minimum and some go beyond. They cause more erosion. E-bikes increase force. Force = Mass x Acceleration and increased force equals increased weathering, which equals increased erosion. People ride them for this reason. I watch guys blow by me on the climb, and they can turn more laps. This increases erosion also.

E-bikes are motorized. In turn they must stay away from non-motorized areas.

I am only 47, but have torture tested my body. I know my days of grinding will come to an end. Father Time always wins, and I smile at the thought of my kids and grandkids earning their “back country” adventures. For now though, I give Father Time the one finger salute and hit the gym to fight another day. Maybe it’s time for you to give him a hug?

Reasonable respectable response, I am talking miles of old logging roads in northern Maine, ATV and side by sides are allowed, it is land owned by private timber companies, not looking to go where others are not allowed, or special privileges others do not have, just thinking the quiet operation may be a advantage. Just looking to see if others had information to share.

 

[Wildabeest]

Have you stopped to think about your pack out? Packing out an elk while on a bike of any kind will present several logistical challenges. I gave up on the idea of hunting off a bike completely after testing my ability to ride switchback single tracks with a 50# pack.

 

[Hammsolo]

Reasonable respectable response, I am talking miles of old logging roads in northern Maine, ATV and side by sides are allowed, it is land owned by private timber companies, not looking to go where others are not allowed, or special privileges others do not have, just thinking the quiet operation may be a advantage. Just looking to see if others had information to share.

Generally the rule of thumb on here is that if it is legal go for it. We try not to be judgy here. However, this statement raises red flags, “I go by "it is easier to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission" .”

 

[elkduds]

My opinion remains, e bikes are motorized, use them where motorized use is allowed. Here's a wrinkle. Our local trail system forbids use of ebikes 'with motor engaged,' creating an unenforceable loophole ebikes drive right through. Anyone else experience this chickenshift attempt to allow ebikes?

 

[Thistledew]

Have you stopped to think about your pack out? Packing out an elk while on a bike of any kind will present several logistical challenges. I gave up on the idea of hunting off a bike completely after testing my ability to ride switchback single tracks with a 50# pack.

Yes, this is true! Thats a separate challenge! when the real work begins.

 

[TheTone]

My opinion remains, e bikes are motorized, use them where motorized use is allowed. Here's a wrinkle. Our local trail system forbids use of ebikes 'with motor engaged,' creating an unenforceable loophole ebikes drive right through. Anyone else experience this chickenshift attempt to allow ebikes?

Only way to enforce that I could see would be to force them to not have a battery with them while they ride.

 

[one ate E grain]

I don't care either way. Mountain bikes are the scourge, if mountain bikes can go I'm ok if people e bike, dirt bike, ATV, whatever they want. I spend most of my time off trail to get away from the "recreationists" anyway. Most people can't even walk around in the woods without getting lost, fewer trails would be a blessing.

 

[Thistledew]

You are talking my language !

 

[mtmuley]

My opinion remains, e bikes are motorized, use them where motorized use is allowed. Here's a wrinkle. Our local trail system forbids use of ebikes 'with motor engaged,' creating an unenforceable loophole ebikes drive right through. Anyone else experience this chickenshift attempt to allow ebikes?

Most people I run into think the lower powered ones are legal. That is not the case in Montana. When I see a violation, out comes the phone. mtmuley

 

[Wildabeest]

Different land management agencies have different policies on e-bikes. For Forest Service land, they are basically forbidden on non-motorized trails unless the local agency office makes a designated exception for specific trails and/or areas. They do have a standard classification of e-bikes that the local offices can use when designating any exceptions (ie. they could choose to allow class 1 - pedal assist only, no throttle, but not class 2 or 3). Here’s the current policy: https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/e-bikes. Call the local office to inquire about any exceptions they’ve designated.

BLM has a similar policy: https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/e-bikes. It’s up to the local land manager to designate any exceptions.

Note that both BLM and FS are required to complete environmental impact studies and accept public input before making any exceptions, so that could discourage them from going thru all of that red tape to make any exceptions.

Each state manages their lands differently, so best to call the local agency or state park to get the rules. My experience is that some state parks make some exceptions, but state trust lands typically have similar policies as the federal lands. Same goes for local parks.

Note that most e-bike designations require that it have pedals, 750W or less in power and speed limited to 28mph. Anything that doesn’t meet those requirements is an electric motorcycle and is treated as a motorcycle from a legal perspective (must have registration, plates, insurance, rider must be of legal age and licensed to operate a motorcycle, follow any applicable helmet laws, and in no circumstance legal on non-motorized trails).

 

[Thistledew]

Most people I run into think the lower powered ones are legal. That is not the case in Montana. When I see a violation, out comes the phone. mtmuley

I am in New England, will be using it mostly in Maine where they are allowed in state forests and private (un posted) land just as adv.'s are

 

[mtmuley]

I am in New England, will be using it mostly in Maine where they are allowed in state forests and private (un posted) land just as adv.'s are

Then you shouldn't have a problem as long as it is legal. mtmuley