Today we live in a "herd" culture where "the more the merrier" is the keynote slogan. That said there still remains a substantial number of Americans who enjoy getting away from the crowds and enjoying the solace of solitude in nature. It was for these people that areas of the country were set aside as National Parks. If memory serves it was also the primary driver of the creation of Acadia National Park by George Dorr and John D Rockefeller. Both Dorr and Rockefeller were both on record as being opposed to the use of motorized vehicles on the carriage trails. While E-bikes are not powered by gasoline engines (thank God) they are most certainly "motorized". My guess is given Rockefeller's vast holdings in the petroleum industry he'd be even more opposed to electric bikes than those powered by gasoline. Years ago while driving across Canada on the Trans Canadian Highway I happened to stumble across a Canadian radio program discussing the growing problem of overcrowded Canadian National Parks. One of the participants made a statement that I felt pretty much summed up the situation. This is what he said, "The vast majority of people traveling to National Parks today are not truly nature lovers. Rather they are largely people fleeing the beehive activity of large citizens and overcrowded suburbs. They are just looking for a place to park their RV or set up their tent so they can play badminton and barbecue some steaks or hotdogs." The simple solution, he felt, was to build large urban campgrounds outside major cities to which these people could travel during their vacations. Although E-Bikes didn't exist at the time I do not doubt that he would have been willing to include some E-Bike trails in and around the parking lots. Those willing to travel under their own power would thus be free to enjoy far less crowded National Parks where nature untrammeled would be theirs to enjoy
E bikes are a menace . you’re putting people on bikes who don’t really have much business being on a bike all over the park. They lack expierenxe, fitness, and the understanding with regards to bike courtesy. This is worse when it’s with kids. They are heavy, not designed for technical handling and can carry a lot speed downhill getting people into trouble. They rubberneck, they leave their bike all over the trail to look at a chickadee, and they really don’t care about other users. I wish the park could reverse the decision to allow them
Companies use them for tours so there will be a group of 20 of them clogging stuff up, parking all over the place, rising 3 wide, etc.
I’ve complained to the park. They appreciate the comments so they can make reports.
But like everything with this town. If it makes a buck for some business owned by someone that only see the park as a cash cow then to hell with the park, the residents and anything that stands in their way.
The park limits tours to 18 people, according to that company, and his company does not offer ebike tours. We tried to booked an ebike tour with them and they only do regular pedal bike tours.
What do they do about the people that ignore the sign? I saw someone on an "ebike" that looked like a motorcross dirtbike and came sneaking up behind me at about 40 miles an hour!
I ride a regular bike several times a week on the carriage roads. When they first started allowing ebikes, I was not really for it, but after seeing all the people who are now able to get out and enjoy the park due to ebikes, I think it's a good idea. My informal observations this year would have me believe that ebikes are well over the 50% level of bikes on the carriage roads. . I don't know what training the rental shops give the riders, but I hope they will emphasize proper etiquette on the carriage roads... i.e. stay to the right, announce when passing, don't ride 3-4 abreast, etc.
"It definitely makes riding more enjoyable,”
And that says it all. Riding. Not cycling.
And E-bikes do not make the carriage trails more enjoyable for cyclists and pedestrians.
Many E-bike riders on the carriage trails are as heedless of cyclists and pedestrians, as the drivers of other motor vehicles are on the roads.
Today we live in a "herd" culture where "the more the merrier" is the keynote slogan. That said there still remains a substantial number of Americans who enjoy getting away from the crowds and enjoying the solace of solitude in nature. It was for these people that areas of the country were set aside as National Parks. If memory serves it was also the primary driver of the creation of Acadia National Park by George Dorr and John D Rockefeller. Both Dorr and Rockefeller were both on record as being opposed to the use of motorized vehicles on the carriage trails. While E-bikes are not powered by gasoline engines (thank God) they are most certainly "motorized". My guess is given Rockefeller's vast holdings in the petroleum industry he'd be even more opposed to electric bikes than those powered by gasoline. Years ago while driving across Canada on the Trans Canadian Highway I happened to stumble across a Canadian radio program discussing the growing problem of overcrowded Canadian National Parks. One of the participants made a statement that I felt pretty much summed up the situation. This is what he said, "The vast majority of people traveling to National Parks today are not truly nature lovers. Rather they are largely people fleeing the beehive activity of large citizens and overcrowded suburbs. They are just looking for a place to park their RV or set up their tent so they can play badminton and barbecue some steaks or hotdogs." The simple solution, he felt, was to build large urban campgrounds outside major cities to which these people could travel during their vacations. Although E-Bikes didn't exist at the time I do not doubt that he would have been willing to include some E-Bike trails in and around the parking lots. Those willing to travel under their own power would thus be free to enjoy far less crowded National Parks where nature untrammeled would be theirs to enjoy
E bikes are a menace . you’re putting people on bikes who don’t really have much business being on a bike all over the park. They lack expierenxe, fitness, and the understanding with regards to bike courtesy. This is worse when it’s with kids. They are heavy, not designed for technical handling and can carry a lot speed downhill getting people into trouble. They rubberneck, they leave their bike all over the trail to look at a chickadee, and they really don’t care about other users. I wish the park could reverse the decision to allow them
Companies use them for tours so there will be a group of 20 of them clogging stuff up, parking all over the place, rising 3 wide, etc.
I’ve complained to the park. They appreciate the comments so they can make reports.
But like everything with this town. If it makes a buck for some business owned by someone that only see the park as a cash cow then to hell with the park, the residents and anything that stands in their way.
My only solace is passing them up hills
I do appreciate Tucker limiting e-bikes to adults but also his company runs tours of about 20 ish bikes which is too big IMO
The park limits tours to 18 people, according to that company, and his company does not offer ebike tours. We tried to booked an ebike tour with them and they only do regular pedal bike tours.
Sorry for the lack of clarify. Yea. His tours are non-bike but still feel a bit too much especially around the more narrow sections of the roads
What do they do about the people that ignore the sign? I saw someone on an "ebike" that looked like a motorcross dirtbike and came sneaking up behind me at about 40 miles an hour!
I ride a regular bike several times a week on the carriage roads. When they first started allowing ebikes, I was not really for it, but after seeing all the people who are now able to get out and enjoy the park due to ebikes, I think it's a good idea. My informal observations this year would have me believe that ebikes are well over the 50% level of bikes on the carriage roads. . I don't know what training the rental shops give the riders, but I hope they will emphasize proper etiquette on the carriage roads... i.e. stay to the right, announce when passing, don't ride 3-4 abreast, etc.