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for starts:
Electrics- I don't think there's any harm in having them on trails and paths but yet they're banned in many state's and local jurisdiction's for path use. Example, Illinois 'claims' to be bike friendly but bans these 'motorized' bikes on trails.
(Recall Lee Iacocca and his electric bikes. Expensive back when but regardless, I think the reason electric bikes are shunned is the Fed. and States collect massive revenue from fuel taxes (today its in the range of .65 to .70 per gal.). Perhaps they want to keep the sheep stoopid.
A few more thoughts
A commuter who may not have the luxury of a shower or locker room discourages them from riding a bicycle. A little electric boost makes it easier for them and without the sweat and can go the longer distance. But a bigger problem is being afraid of riding the shoulder of a road. And that's a VERY VALID reason.
Some of the larger cities already have decent networks of bike trails but the number of commuters using them is a tiny fraction. Also, wide safe bike lanes are rare. Get commuters out of the car and onto an electric bike, it alleviates congestion and the shortcut trails make the travel time not that much longer.
Shoppers with electric bikes can travel with a load much easier and get them to use a trail. Nervous car drivers seeing a wobbling cyclist carrying goods would agree.
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