Lock
100 MW
In another thread recently Johnbear wrote:
Just wanted to pass along this 2006 article about a group of folks that fought and won the right to take their power-assist bikes on the Galloping Goose:
Easy riders hitting the Goose
Andrea Lavigne/News Gazette
[photo caption]
Chris Causton, Regional Parks Committee chair, said the majority of
people at the CRD's open house were in favour of allowing electric
bikes on regional trails.
By Andrea Lavigne
Goldstream News Gazette
Apr 26 2006
Cyclists on electric bikes given green light to ride 'the Goose'
Get your motor running...
Head out on the Galloping Goose...
OK, it doesn't have quite the same ring as the original song, but the
CRD Parks' decision to allow electric bicycles on regional trails has
a few people humming along quite happily.
"I'm relieved," said Dr. Marshall Baer, a Victoria podiatrist, who
purchased an electric bike after he developed exertional asthma. "I
really want to thank the committee for their positive approach to
this."
The issue was reviewed after public meetings revealed strong support
for electric bicycles on regional trails.
CRD Regional Parks Committee recommended allowing electric bicycles
that meet the BC Motor Vehicle Act's definition of a "motor-assisted
cycle" and display the required sticker. The report, however,
included the caveat that the decision be reviewed in 2007. Several
other North American cities allow use of the motor-assisted vehicles
on trails.
The decision, aptly timed three days before Earth Day, will give
people another environmental option, said Lee Mackenzie, owner of
Green World Electric Vehicles - Victoria.
"I'm delighted that Victoria is yet again taking steps to becoming a
greener city in the world," she said. "Let's do everything we can to
be at the front lines of that."
Mackenzie said she has a lot of people coming in looking for electric
options.
The bikes, which weigh about 80 lbs., cost between $750 and $1,500.
The motor is silent and is good for about 25 kilometres. Riders have
the option of pedaling under their own steam and switching on the
motor for challenging sections of the path or using a combination of
pedal and motor power.
Chris Causton, Regional Parks Committee chair, said the bikes top out
at 32 kilometres per hour.
"You can be passed by a cyclist," he said.
Avid cyclist and regular Galloping Goose rider, Martin Pratt, said
he's not worried about people going too fast.
"People go fast anyway," he said. "It's roller bladers I'm worried
about."
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
Original URL here:
http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/portals-code/list.cgi?
paper=12&cat=40&id=635766&more=
or tinyURL here:
http://tinyurl.com/frw8x
The CDR Regional Parks Committee has a pdf that explains their situation here:
http://www.crd.bc.ca/parks/documents/electric_bicycles_faqs.pdf
From this pdf:
"Do other cities allow electric bicycles on their trails?
Yes. CRD Parks is following the lead of other jurisdictions, such as the City of Ottawa, which permit electric bicycles on trails where bicycles are allowed. Electric bicycles are common in many cities in California, where they were developed, and in Europe."
So Johnbear... Don't be satisfied being kicked off onto the (less safe?) roads. Make some calls... find out who is responsible... write `em! And let us know who to write as well...
Tks
Lock
Just wanted to pass along this 2006 article about a group of folks that fought and won the right to take their power-assist bikes on the Galloping Goose:
Easy riders hitting the Goose
Andrea Lavigne/News Gazette
[photo caption]
Chris Causton, Regional Parks Committee chair, said the majority of
people at the CRD's open house were in favour of allowing electric
bikes on regional trails.
By Andrea Lavigne
Goldstream News Gazette
Apr 26 2006
Cyclists on electric bikes given green light to ride 'the Goose'
Get your motor running...
Head out on the Galloping Goose...
OK, it doesn't have quite the same ring as the original song, but the
CRD Parks' decision to allow electric bicycles on regional trails has
a few people humming along quite happily.
"I'm relieved," said Dr. Marshall Baer, a Victoria podiatrist, who
purchased an electric bike after he developed exertional asthma. "I
really want to thank the committee for their positive approach to
this."
The issue was reviewed after public meetings revealed strong support
for electric bicycles on regional trails.
CRD Regional Parks Committee recommended allowing electric bicycles
that meet the BC Motor Vehicle Act's definition of a "motor-assisted
cycle" and display the required sticker. The report, however,
included the caveat that the decision be reviewed in 2007. Several
other North American cities allow use of the motor-assisted vehicles
on trails.
The decision, aptly timed three days before Earth Day, will give
people another environmental option, said Lee Mackenzie, owner of
Green World Electric Vehicles - Victoria.
"I'm delighted that Victoria is yet again taking steps to becoming a
greener city in the world," she said. "Let's do everything we can to
be at the front lines of that."
Mackenzie said she has a lot of people coming in looking for electric
options.
The bikes, which weigh about 80 lbs., cost between $750 and $1,500.
The motor is silent and is good for about 25 kilometres. Riders have
the option of pedaling under their own steam and switching on the
motor for challenging sections of the path or using a combination of
pedal and motor power.
Chris Causton, Regional Parks Committee chair, said the bikes top out
at 32 kilometres per hour.
"You can be passed by a cyclist," he said.
Avid cyclist and regular Galloping Goose rider, Martin Pratt, said
he's not worried about people going too fast.
"People go fast anyway," he said. "It's roller bladers I'm worried
about."
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
Original URL here:
http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/portals-code/list.cgi?
paper=12&cat=40&id=635766&more=
or tinyURL here:
http://tinyurl.com/frw8x
The CDR Regional Parks Committee has a pdf that explains their situation here:
http://www.crd.bc.ca/parks/documents/electric_bicycles_faqs.pdf
From this pdf:
"Do other cities allow electric bicycles on their trails?
Yes. CRD Parks is following the lead of other jurisdictions, such as the City of Ottawa, which permit electric bicycles on trails where bicycles are allowed. Electric bicycles are common in many cities in California, where they were developed, and in Europe."
So Johnbear... Don't be satisfied being kicked off onto the (less safe?) roads. Make some calls... find out who is responsible... write `em! And let us know who to write as well...
Tks
Lock
