[rustyp]

Village of Lowville NY population < 4000 has ban E Bikes.

By 7 News Staff
Published: Nov. 17, 2022 at 5:46 AM EST
LOWVILLE, New York (WWNY) - Lowville will ban motorized vehicles like ATVs inside the village.

Trustees approved a new law Wednesday night banning vehicles like snowmobiles, ATVs, 4-wheelers, and e-bikes.

About a dozen people went to the public forum, discussing concerns about Lewis County’s rails-to-trails program, which would repurpose old railroad tracks for recreation.

“The village board felt we needed a law on the books that we could regulate those type of vehicles, especially now with the county buying up the railhead,” Mayor Joseph Beagle said. “We’re in favor of walking trails and regular bicycle trails but we don’t want to see snowmobiles screaming through the middle of the village.”

Before you jump all over me I like E Bikes. Thinking of getting one myself. I am having second thoughts when I see these controversies popping up. I believe The Villages bike clubs have already banned a certain type of E Bikes on their rides.

Is this a sign of things to come ?

[Toymeister]

No, it is not.

Ebikes are part of the landscape, especially here. Why?, Because we all lose one heartbeat of our maximum heart capacity each year. Ebikes for seniors allow us to get out and experience the joy of cycling.

Effectively, ebikes make your biking performance similar to yourself 20 years ago.

Besides all of that how is a rural town in New York relevant? Last I read New York is not doing so well for itself, while Florida is growing by leaps and bounds.

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

No, it is not.

Ebikes are part of the landscape, especially here. Why?, Because we all lose one heartbeat of our maximum heart capacity each year. Ebikes for seniors allow us to get out and experience the joy of cycling.

Effectively, ebikes make your biking performance similar to yourself 20 years ago.

Besides all of that how is a rural town in New York relevant? Last I read New York is not doing so well for itself, while Florida is growing by leaps and bounds.

It caught my attention because I know this area well. It is very rural. I would have expected this from a major metropolis like NYC. In this area there has been a major controversy over ATVs. Finally the Adirondack Park (6 million acres - largest park in the lower 48 states) buckled to the pressure and banned them. Thus if small towns don't want and huge metropolis don't want what is the E Bike future ?

[Toymeister]

Our Governor has signed legislation to strengthen ebikes access to all trails where bikes are allowed, this is the essential difference between New York and Florida.

Heck even NYC, which specifically outlawed ebikes, changed course and now allows them.

[Altavia]

There should be a distinction between pedal assisted and throttle controlled which are essentially electric motor cycles?

[Chi-Town]

Originally Posted by Altavia

There should be a distinction between pedal assisted and throttle controlled which are essentially electric motor cycles?

Many E bikes have both pedal assist and throttle control. The rider makes the distinction.

[Woodbear]

Lowville is a great place to ride your snowmobile. Indian will make my next E-Bike.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Chi-Town

Many E bikes have both pedal assist and throttle control. The rider makes the distinction.

If you don't have to pedal, you should stay on the MMP's/Diamond Lanes. 20+ MPH on the walking paths is dangerous.

[Two Bills]

I can live with the E-Bikes on the roads.
Her in UK and Europe, in the towns, it's the rental electric scooters on the sidewalks flying around at 20mph that scare the Bejesus out of the wife and me.
They swarm like bees!

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by Altavia

If you don't have to pedal, you should stay on the MMP's/Diamond Lanes. 20+ MPH on the walking paths is dangerous.

This idea won't work. Throttle ebikes are, with almost no exception, hub drive models. Hub drives have the motor in the hub vice at the crank (mid drive). Hub drives are far cheaper.

What you are effectively proposing is only those who ride $2,500 + bike can use this path.

What? You want to spend only 995.00 on a ebike? Sorry!

[Love2Swim]

I think its crazy that walkers, who walk at probably 3-5 mph, and electric bikes that can go up to 28 mph would share the same recreational trail. With such a difference in speeds, its really unsafe for the walkers.

[fishon]

This isn’t just about electric bicycles.
It’s mostly about snowmobiles and ATV’s running wild in the streets.
Lowville is on the Tug Hill Plateau and is a major winter destination for snowmobiling. The little towns like Lowville and Old Forge are simply overwhelmed.

[Maker]

A lot of people will support those types of laws. They like government mandates that control how you can live your life.
The rest of the people leave the state to be free from such nonsense.

[threeonemiles@outlook.com]

Originally Posted by Maker

A lot of people will support those types of laws. They like government mandates that control how you can live your life.
The rest of the people leave the state to be free from such nonsense.

I agree, but tread lightly. Mentioning the word "government", can be construed as political by the censorial authorities.

[Chi-Town]

Here is a link explaining the three types of ebikes:

Understanding the differences between Class I, II, and III eBikes
– Bike.com