Motorized Bicycles on Mount Hillyer

[dstepper]

Many years back there was a MTBer member whos handle was 1080p. He saw a picture of us riding the Sulfur Springs area of the SOT and reported me to the forest service. I used to work for the forest service as a firefighter so they already had a file on me. Nothing ever became of it except his alienation from the MTBing community.

I ride many so called illegal trails I reserve the right to practice civil disobedience on the laws that I don't feel are just or fair. I will pay the consequents when caught. You maybe surprised that others think riding a bike in the dirt cause no harm. I have many tales of trail encounters with rangers that had no repercussions. They can call but those with the power to arrest and site have more pressing problems than someone riding their bike.

There are heritage trails all over the southern sierras that you are not able to hike anymore due to the feds not taking care of the peoples land. They kicked the user group out that maintained the trails (motos) and now the trails are lost. Jfish in Kernville and when I was in better health reopen trails like Summit trail coming off Jordan Peak in the Sierra National Monument. We could not keep up with the dead fall and now it is un rideable again. What is my point? My point is trails users not supporting each other. In hindsight we should have supported the motos but many of us where unaware of the good they did.

There are many places I rode in back county Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico I just felt safer knowing that they motos where around if I needed help. Many MTBers are not true back county MTBers so they do not have the same perspective that others have. That said, I have no intention of ever e-biking a county park.

Dean

 

[Mikie]

-unnecessary Sh!t stirring post, never mind-

Mikie I think you can express your opinion without conflict of interest here. I'll bet everyone else feels the same

Thanks Bud! I'm just as passionate as the rest of yuh's...

 

[Louis Zegarra]

I'm concerned about the mass production of Ebikes because of the perception that they're OK for use by non-disabled riders on non-motorized trails, and the ultimate consequences of that regarding legal mountain bike access. I'm not opposed to them being used in truly legitimate situations such as Wheezy's respiratory condition, as long as their advantages are not abused. That means bike shops don't issue or facilitate bogus disability cards to non-disabled individuals, or misrepresent the legal restrictions concerning their use. Also, maybe disabled individuals riding Ebikes should be required to display a placard on their handlebars in order to reduce confusion. I'd be happy to know that legitimately disabled riders could enjoy the trails I work on.

I found this on the OC Parks website:
"2) Inquiry into use of other power-driven mobility device. A public entity may ask a person using an other power-driven mobility device to provide a credible assurance that the mobility device is required because of the person´s disability. A public entity that permits the use of an other power-driven mobility device by an individual with a mobility disability shall accept the presentation of a valid, State-issued, disability parking placard or card, or other State-issued proof of disability, as a credible assurance that the use of the other power-driven mobility device is for the individual’s mobility disability. In lieu of a valid, State-issued disability parking placard or card, or State-issued proof of disability, a public entity shall accept as a credible assurance a verbal representation, not contradicted by observable fact, that the other power-driven mobility device is being used for a mobility disability. A "valid" disability placard or card is one that is presented by the individual to whom it was issued and is otherwise in compliance with the State of issuance´s requirements for disability placards or cards."

Do you really think bike manufacturers will making e-bikes targeting the disable and stores will sell only to disable riders? If you think that has a chance, I have some land in Florida to sell you. Most disable people are very much content sitting at home with the AC on. Bike manufacturers are going to make e-bikes resemble regular bikes, their key is going to be wheel size and weight, if they can blur the differences I bet you e-bikes will not be restricted to any MTB trails.

 

[kioti]

You're missing my point. The bike manufacturers may be trying to push e-bikes onto the scene, but here in South OC there aren't many legal places to ride them that I know of. That's selling land in Florida. My post clarified the matter.. Land managers and Park Rangers have the ultimate say at this time. Wilderness parks have tighter rules than parks like Santiago Oaks, and I don't know how strict State parks are. ADA guidelines offer exceptions in case of disabled individuals, but of course that could change. By the way, there's a 10mph speed limit in County parks. I heard mountain bikers in Marin are being cited for riding over 15mph.

I'd love to chat longer, but I'm going for a ride on my human-powered bike. Cheers!