E bikes for fishing

Have ridden e-bikes on allowable beaches, trails and asphalt. Mid-drive with pedal assist seemed the sweet spot, as pedal free e-bikes are increasingly getting banned on trails, and consider a step through frame, whole lot easier to manage when wearing boots, waders, etc. Not to mention easier to manage a 50# bike with feet firmly planted on each side
Batteries are important, lotta incidents of less expensive after-market batteries suddenly catching fire or exploding from over-charging and causing dwelling fires, serious enough issue that New York recently passed a law banning the sales of batteries not certified by an independent testing lab.
The e-bike speciality stores, sprouting up everywhere, are the best place to get direct info and find the best fit, and e-bikes do run into into controller and drive issues, best warranty and repair service will be from the store that sold the bike.
This is a good place to start reviewing the various models:
 
I'd also recommend mid-drives, and either Bosch or Specialized electrical systems.

YMMV but I've had great service from the bike folks at REI.

Our two Tern P9 cargo ebikes are incredibly robust workhorses.
 
Last edited:
Speaking of battery fires….
CDA Police building burnt down. Today I heard suspected origin is from a Police Ebike battery. Interesting if true…
 
Why is it more difficult?
Ebikes go faster, make more noise, and you can get into trouble if you try to maneuver fast when the logging truck (which has right of way & they drive like it does too) is crawling up your rear, or ready to crush you from the front
 
Ebikes go faster, make more noise, and you can get into trouble if you try to maneuver fast when the logging truck (which has right of way & they drive like it does too) is crawling up your rear, or ready to crush you from the front
Our ebikes don't make any more noise than our conventional bikes, and don't provide a greater maximum speed...all they do is allow you to achieve about the same speed with less effort. The electric motor power assist is very subtle. They're every bit as maneuverable as conventional bikes at the same speeds.
 
Speaking of battery fires….
CDA Police building burnt down. Today I heard suspected origin is from a Police Ebike battery. Interesting if true…
"Fire pattern analysis had investigators focus on recently acquired battery operated e-bicycles, one of which clearly showed evidence of a catastrophic failure of the lithium-ion battery pack that was being charged after being used that evening by police. This was an unfortunate and unexpected failure that caused the fire and is being ruled an accident,”

😯
Be careful out there with e-bike battery charging.
 
"Fire pattern analysis had investigators focus on recently acquired battery operated e-bicycles, one of which clearly showed evidence of a catastrophic failure of the lithium-ion battery pack that was being charged after being used that evening by police. This was an unfortunate and unexpected failure that caused the fire and is being ruled an accident,”

😯
Be careful out there with e-bike battery charging.
A bit of further internet research provides some clues regarding the mfg of the ebikes and the electrical system.

That being said, it's well established that lithium ion batteries of all types require close attention during charging, and avoiding the use of damaged or aftermarket replacement or refurbished batteries/chargers.
 
Looks like ebikes can come with lifePO4 batteries. They do not catch fire like lithium. BUT they are very sensitive when it comes to charging so cells are not damaged...
 
WA DNR website shows
"Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes are currently only allowed on motorized trails and forest roads open to motorized public use."
🥳
Adding National Forest ebike rules
"Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes are allowed on motorized trails and roads on national forests and grasslands. Additionally, several year-round resorts operating under a special use permit have established e-bike use within their permit boundary."
🥳
Thx

Looks like it’s complicated wrt who administers particular lands, wdfw, dnr, or national forest.

I can think of some geology I’d like to see, with trails, but too far out and back for a day hike. Usually people get there on mtn bikes.

I’ll have to carefully check out the particular type of public lands involved if I ever get or rent an e-bike.

J
 
A bit of further internet research provides some clues regarding the mfg of the ebikes and the electrical system.

That being said, it's well established that lithium ion batteries of all types require close attention during charging, and avoiding the use of damaged or aftermarket replacement or refurbished batteries/chargers.
These were brand new ebikes sold by Police Power Bikes
that does not say where the parts are sourced or even if they are mfg'd in house. The bikes are UL certified
1722437252078.png
The police had received training in charging procedures, and the Fire Marshall said the charging station had been plugged into a properly wired outlet.
Scary stuff.
 
These were brand new ebikes sold by Police Power Bikes
that does not say where the parts are sourced or even if they are mfg'd in house. The bikes are UL certified
View attachment 122684
The police had received training in charging procedures, and the Fire Marshall said the charging station had been plugged into a properly wired outlet.
Scary stuff.
Indeed. That's why I don't leave lithium ion batteries plugged in overnight....even my Bosch e-bike batteries, which are certified to a higher standard than UL. And I wouldn't even consider any refurbished or substitute mfg lithium ion batteries for my Ryobi and Dewalt tools, or Ego mower.

Frankly, I don't trust all Chinese manufacturers to not falsify safety certification testing. There is little transnational legal enforcement mechanism, and manufacturing is often subcontracted out to a myriad of small job shops. It's like expecting Wayfair to produce 'fine furniture'.

In heavy civil construction, which frequently uses mission critical piping, heavy lift shackles/slings and other materials certified to meet FM Global standards (which are extremely high) there have been numerous cases where Chinese manufacturers simply marked the product with a counterfeit FM insignia. People love buying cheap shit, and for many contractors the increased markup profit is simply irresistible.

I think we all learned bad habits from leaving smart phones and laptops commonly plugged in except when in mobile use.
 
Last edited:

From the link :
On lands controlled by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are usually OK to use where you can ride human-power bicycles. However, Class 3 e-bikes must stay on motor trails.

Also:
Most e-bike laws in Washington are similar to bike laws. It’s generally OK to ride Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes on most bicycle paths on state and locally owned lands. It’s more complicated for Class 3 e-bikes. Class 3 bikes aren’t allowed on shared-use pathways or sidewalks in most cases.
The tweekers in my next of the woods don’t follow bike rules…any rules for that matter. 😉
 
Last edited:
I get tired of ebikes on sidewalks thinking they have the right away. Of not announcing they are there and passing.
On mut, speeding, passing again without announcing, riding abreast as you struggle on your regular bike.
 
I get tired of ebikes on sidewalks thinking they have the right away. Of not announcing they are there and passing.
On mut, speeding, passing again without announcing, riding abreast as you struggle on your regular bike.
Old cyclist's trick for dealing with rude cyclists: stick your tire pump between their spokes as they speed by. That'll cause them to stop and think about things.
 
Our yard borders a state park and a week or so three "E" bikes that resembled motocross bikes went flying by at probably 30 mph on what is primarily a walking trail. Not in favor and I think it's something that needs some limitations on what and where they are allowed before we have stuff like this.
Yeh, definitely NOT a regular E Bike. Jerks.
 
The problem with the E BIKES is they just keep getting bigger. These days you're seeing 20, 30 foot EBIKES!! it's a strategy to intimidate on the ROAD. Ain't nothing getting in the way of a 30 FOOT E BIKE!!!
 
Back
Top