Brian in OR.
Life of the Party
Anybody using one for getting into the back country fishing spots.Thinking of getting one for exploration etc. For those that have one, recommendations or like/dislike on what to look for would be great.....
E bikes for fishing
- Thread starter Brian in OR.
- Start date
My wife and I have Rad 6 Plus e-bikes, mine with step-over, hers with step-through frame. We love them. If I were to buy again, I would also go with the step-through frame for easier mounting/dismounting. (The old idea about step-through being a girls' bike doesn't apply to these) They would work well for riding trails into fishing spots.
Brian in OR.
Life of the Party
Good to know and then you have the wattage to consider too. Sooooo many options...
I hope this isn't hijacking the thread but are e-bikes considered "motorized"? Here in Ephrata and on Beezley Hill, there are miles of mountain bike (and hiking) trails that my wife and I hike where "No Motorized Vehicles" are allowed. There are plenty of e-bikes using the trails (which is fine to me but Rob's comment got me to thinking). I suspect the regulation refers to internal combustion engines and not electric bikes.
When I lived in Central OR I used one quite a bit both for self shuttle when floating alone which was great not having to rely on shutle services plus allowing for more flexibility of float times and also accessing sections of river quickly and efficiently to prime water on closed double or single track to cars, trucks etc. A step through is the way to go when wadered up as mentioned above.
Old406Kid
Legend
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.
Yamaha XE4 Electric Dirt Bike First Ride & Review - Electric Cycle Rider
A Proven Chassis with a Powerful New Twist. The XEMX Yamaha Electric Dirt Bike is here to make you drool.
electriccyclerider.com
Attachments
Ebikes are an excellent example of where regulations have not yet caught up with technology. Some jurisdictions have entirely outlawed use of ebikes on trails they allow the use of pedal only mountain bikes, while others have allowed the use of ebikes that require rider pedal power input (Class 1 only provides electrical power propulsion assistance when the rider is pedaling, and limits that assistance to 20 mph).
See link above that discusses different ebike classifications. To complicate the whole issue there are plenty of software hacks that can alter ebike classification so that it doesn't operate in the manner intended by the manufacturer.
Of course it's a dead giveaway which classication is present when you see an ebike rider flying along a level or climbing trail without pedaling.
I should mention that we have a couple of Class 1 ebikes (along with a garage full of conventional bikes) but I wouldn't consider using one on the park trails @Old406Kid mentions.
In my opinion any non-motorized off-road prohibitions should apply to ebikes as well.
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Rob Allen
Life of the Party
I guess it would be dependent upon the intent of the non-motorized rule for the given location?
Riding an Ebike in Washington: 2025 Guide to Ebike Laws
Wondering about Washington’s ebike laws? Get ready for your next ride with this handy guide full of information about legal ebiking in the state.
www.velotricbike.com
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.
Ebike Classes 1, 2, and 3: How Do They Differ?
Do you know what the different ebike classes are? In this article, we’ll go into detail about what sets each ebike class apart, as well as where and when you can ride them.
www.aventon.com
"A Class 2 ebike is an electric bicycle equipped with a throttle-assisted motor. Class 2 allows the rider to engage the motor without pedaling, using a throttle. The motor assistance on these bikes also cuts off when the bike reaches a speed of 20 mph."
Biking | Washington State Parks
"E-Bikes in the parks
Class 1 and 3 pedal-assist e-bikes are allowed on non-motorized and long-distance trails. All classes of e-bikes are allowed on roads within a State Park. Learn more about e-bikes in the park by downloading the Information Sheet (PDF 239 KB)."Might be worth a call to the Park Ranger or State Patrol for a complaint-report of the illegal activity. Maybe set up a trail cam if you have one.
*Adding for WA
The current rules and regulations regarding electric-assisted bicycles can be found in RCW 46.04.169 and RCW 46.61.715. The Washington State Legislature has also passed SB
6434 (2018), HB 2782 (2018), and SB 5452 (2021).
SB 6434 Washington State Legislature
app.leg.wa.gov
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Private property I fish (i.e. tree farms) allowing public non-motorized access (foot & bicycle) with either free or permit either do not allow any class of e-bikes or require a much more expensive motorized permit.
Old406Kid
Legend
Thanks for the links, much appreciated.Ebike Classes 1, 2, and 3: How Do They Differ?
Do you know what the different ebike classes are? In this article, we’ll go into detail about what sets each ebike class apart, as well as where and when you can ride them.
"A Class 2 ebike is an electric bicycle equipped with a throttle-assisted motor. Class 2 allows the rider to engage the motor without pedaling, using a throttle. The motor assistance on these bikes also cuts off when the bike reaches a speed of 20 mph."
Biking | Washington State Parks
parks.wa.gov
"E-Bikes in the parks
Class 1 and 3 pedal-assist e-bikes are allowed on non-motorized and long-distance trails. All classes of e-bikes are allowed on roads within a State Park. Learn more about e-bikes in the park by downloading the Information Sheet (PDF 239 KB)."
Might be worth a call to the Park Ranger or State Patrol for a complaint-report of the illegal activity. Maybe set up a trail cam if you have one.
*Adding for WA
The current rules and regulations regarding electric-assisted bicycles can be found in RCW 46.04.169 and RCW 46.61.715. The Washington State Legislature has also passed SB
6434 (2018), HB 2782 (2018), and SB 5452 (2021).
SB 6434 Washington State Legislature
Probably so, Rob. I suspect the signage at the gates on Beezley Hill:
was posted long before the popularization and availability of e-bikes.
The link @Old406Kid posted with the two Yamaha dirt bikes converted to electric dirt bikes* would clearly (in my mind) not be allowed on the trails my wife and I hike and share with mountain bikes.
*What beasts they are! Wow.
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."
www.fs.usda.gov
"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."
Electronic Bicycle Use | US Forest Service
Forest Service Statement on Electronic Bicycle Use:
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Maine has many gated dirt roads with signs stating "no motorized vehicles permitted". Bicycles were always allowed, but now there is a "big" controversy regarding ebikes. Maine law regulates the bikes into various classes (depending on wattage) with some ebikes allowed some places and some prohbited. At present, I still pedal my regular bike to reach some "remote" waters, but as I get older I am considering an ebike. Right now, the biggest problem on these roads is keeping safe from the logging trucks (which is not too hard on a pedal bike, but is more difficult on an ebike).
No resolution of the problem yet and there probably won't be until some knucklehead gets squashed by a big truck
No resolution of the problem yet and there probably won't be until some knucklehead gets squashed by a big truck
Why is it more difficult?
