Should state and county parks / forest preserves permit pedal electric vehicles?

[intakexhaust]

Should state and county parks and forest preserves permit - Pedal Electric - bikes, trikes or 4 wheeler on bike trails and paths?

With a nation of inhaling fast food, breeding generations of body barges, road rage, distractive texting while driving along with congested roads its a battle to commute by bike. During the downturned economy, some states and counties are doing a decent job burning up taxpayers money by land grabbing yet letting it sit for non-use.

Although a few are making an effort of creating crushed limestone bike paths that connect to roads, these might work as a decent commute. No doubt and guessing 99.5% of Americans wouldn't consider commuting by bike for various reasons, but what if we removed some of the excuses?

Most state's do allow with limiting factors of electric bikes on certain roads so why not allow them on the networked bike paths through forest preserves? With some quick research (please correct me if I'm wrong) but I'm finding most do not allow electrics, pedal hybrid or not.

Basic list of beni's allowing ped electric's:

Safety by being primarily off the roadway - relieve congestion - numerous health benefits even when when the electric assist help them along - reducing emissions -

BTW - WE don't need patrol or additional gov. workers controlling bike traffic on bike path or some new bike czar telling us we need airbags on our bike cars.


Elf Electric Pedal Car: When 1 Horsepower Is Enough - WSJ.com

[cashflyer]

In our area, I see many bicyclists on foot paths in the parks. They come at you fast, force you to get out of their way, and then get their panties in a knot if you don't.

I encourage State and National Parks to restrict foot paths to foot traffic only, with a shoot on sight allowance against violators (wheelchairs excepted). I equally encourage the park, if it so desires, to have a bicycle path for the bicyclists.

I do not support electric bicycles, or any other motorized vehicle. If you are going to allow that, then you may as well open ATV and motorcycle trails in the parks. In fact, just pave a road through the park for the lazy SOBs (who should probably be walking anyway).

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

I do not support electric bicycles, or any other motorized vehicle. If you are going to allow that, then you may as well open ATV and motorcycle trails in the parks. In fact, just pave a road through the park for the lazy SOBs (who should probably be walking anyway).

I have to +1 this. If you allow electrics - wait till you see what pops up.

[Tobra]

No way

[RWebb]

maybe with a power limit on trails already open to pedal bikes

you can run trolling motors on some of our lakes restricted to no power boats...

[mossguy]

We should allow pedal vehicles on our lakes.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

In our area, I see many bicyclists on foot paths in the parks. They come at you fast, force you to get out of their way, and then get their panties in a knot if you don't.

I encourage State and National Parks to restrict foot paths to foot traffic only, with a shoot on sight allowance against violators (wheelchairs excepted). I equally encourage the park, if it so desires, to have a bicycle path for the bicyclists.

This is an ongoing discussion/battle with some fairly ugly incidents on all sides. Including hikers booby trapping trails with nails and garrote wire designed to deter bicyclists.

There are generally three groups of non-motorized enthusiasts:

hikers
bicyclist
equestrians

Typically the bicyclists get the most restrictions but usually due to lack of political clout relative to the other two groups. Oddly enough people from all three groups pay taxes that go towards supporting the areas.

[peppy]

With the ADA you can't stop it.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by peppy

With the ADA you can't stop it.

This.

That said, no limit on design. Put limits on weight, dimensions, horsepower/torque, speed, and capacity.

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by id10t

This.

That said, no limit on design. Put limits on weight, dimensions, horsepower/torque, speed, and capacity.

Stick with human power - problem solved. You don't need a bunch of new rules on what can/can't pass.

[RWebb]

ADA doesn't require elec. wheelchairs, etc. on all trails.

ADA is maybe the 2nd worst understood fed, law, behind HIPAA (or in PARF, the Constitution...)

[vash]

yea!!! the blind folks cant see the grand canyon anyways.. not like we can translate all that natural wonder into braille..pfft!