E-mountain bikes are quickly growing in popularity, with major bike manufacturer brands currently rolling out new models in rapid succession. Already quite popular in Europe, they've met with objections and hesitations by many in the U.S. market. Lindsay Nash, marketing coordinator for BikeToursDirect, explains that some people are concerned about potential impact to off-road trails (due to potential for higher speeds), leading access to be limited on many trails systems because they're classified as "motorized vehicles."

The mountain biking culture is also typically quite competitive, she notes, with many feeling that thrilling downhills should be “earned” with corresponding climbs, and that trails should be accessed only by those who have worked to gain the fitness or technical skill level to conquer them.


On the other side of this discussion are people who want to see the sport grow in numbers -- both to share the joy and to justify the building and expansion of more trail systems.

“This means making the sport more inclusive, accessible, and appealing to expanded demographics,” says Nash. “E-mountain bikes lower the barrier to entry for those lacking the base level of fitness to tackle their local terrain or trails.”

Misconceptions & Misinformation

While much heated discussion seems to surround e-mountain biking in the United States, some people, such as Chandlee Caldwell, co-owner of Electric Bike Specialists in Chattanooga, TN, feel it’s a debate that has blown up on the Internet, but not in real life.

“I ride a lot,” he remarks. “Usually, I encounter pure enthusiasm.”

Caldwell believes the vast majority of opposition to e-bikes on trails is founded on misconceptions and misinformation.  

“It’s already illegal to take high-powered e-motorbikes on public trails, so any comparison between an e-bike and e-motorbikes is completely unfounded,” he explains, noting that anything that looks like a motorcycle or can peel out a wheel is considered a motorized vehicle under the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and shouldn’t be on a public trail or road.

 

People who ignore this rule and take “e-motos” on public trails could ruin things for the rest of us, notes Caldwell.  

While e-bikes are capable of enhancing a rider’s power output, it’s not without a lot of excursion.  

“These bicycles aren’t damaging the trail system more than normal bikes. If anything, they allow riders to carry more tools on the trail to maintain it,” says Caldwell.

Linda Coburn, owner of Pedego 101 Electric Bikes in Westlake Village, CA, acknowledges that there is a lot of tension between different groups that want to use off-road trails, including hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers and now e-bikers.

“People believe that because electric bikes have more power that they are more likely to cause accidents and cause more damage to the environment. In fact, horses do far more damage to the environment than any kind of bikes. And e-bikes really don't go that much faster than many sport cyclists are capable of going, especially downhill,” she remarks, noting that many manufacturers, including Pedego, are now creating trail-worthy mountain bikes with special features to make them safer and more appropriate for riding off-road.

A Tight-Knit Group

Mountain biking requires a lot of time, effort, courage and consistent work to maintain the mental and physical conditioning it takes to “go fast.”  And mountain bikers? They are some of the hardest, toughest, fittest people out there who form tight-knit groups that challenge and encourage each other to push harder, Caldwell notes.

“It must be pretty infuriating that a guy like me can come out in a button-up shirt and jeans and take the hills as fast as they can,” he acknowledges. “From their perspective, I haven’t earned my right to be there. From my perspective, I’m having the time of my life and focusing on honing my skills.”

Caldwell says e-mountain biking also allows him to push his physical limits without dying of exhaustion – which is really what electric mountain bikes are introducing, he concedes, not high-power machines that are going to rip apart trails, cause noise pollution and get people killed.  

“It’s going to introduce casual riders to a hardcore sport – and they’re probably going to fall in love with it,” he concludes.

Off-Road Alternatives

Is your local trail system off limits to e-mountain biking? Never fear. Natalie Cook, vice president of BikeToursDirect suggests a couple of practical alternatives to get e-riders out in nature and off-road while respecting the off-limits status of many carefully constructed mountain bike trail systems:

“Forest service roads are typically gravel or partially paved and in the remote areas of nature most mountain bikers seek. Those open to motorized vehicles are fair game for e-mountain bikes while usually remaining very low traffic. Another option is ATV, jeep, or dirt bike trails - they're made for far heavier traffic and nobody will mind if you somehow manage to rut it up a bit more!”