Dear Deb,
I’m not sure this is going to the right person, so please let me know if this should go elsewhere.
I recently read in the Marin IJ about a proposal to ban electric bikes from the open space trails. As I understand the current rules, Class 1 and 2 electric bikes are allowed on fire roads, but not on single track trails unless specifically posted.
I’ve been using my electric mountain bike on the fire roads over the last year, and I don’t understand why this should be an issue or worthy of being banned. E-bikes are no more damaging environmentally than regular bikes, in fact, I’d say less damaging since they tend to go slower downhill. What causes problems are the bikers (non-electric) that speed on the trails, often locking their wheels and leaving long skid marks. These are the same guys that build bootleg single track trails, jumps etc. on the open space land, causing erosion issues. These same people think they own the land and want it for their personal race track and don’t want to share it with others.
I’m over 60 and found it quite difficult to ride a regular bike on the fire roads due to the steepness. Since I got my e-bike, I’ve been able to ride much more often, enjoy the open space, and improve my health overall. The bike is silent and doesn’t tear up the ground like the regular bikes. I can also ride to the trails from my home and don’t need to haul my bike on the back of a giant SUV to get there.
I live in Terra Linda and ride mostly around there. Over the past year, I’ve ridden nearly every weekend and I think I’ve seen maybe two other electric bikes in the whole time. There really aren’t that many of them.
Please leave the rules the way they are!