Michigan DNR Approves Use of E-bikes on Trails!
Michigan State DNR has officially allowed e-bikes on State pathways and mountain bike trails! I know e-bikes can be a hot topic, but I’m excited to see how this change will grow mountain biking here in Michigan! There are many different scenarios where e-bikes have an advantage. I have rented e-bikes on some of our out-of-state trips and have enjoyed the perks of riding more trails than I would have on a traditional mountain bike.
(Watch my first time on an e-bike in Brevard, NC!)
One scenario that worked out well for me was on an out-of-state trip to Bentonville, Arkansas, and Knoxville, Tennessee. Many of our mountain bike trips consist of 3 days’ worth of riding and 2 days’ worth of travel. In those 3 days, I want to ride as much as I can and see the amazing areas I am visiting. I would like to say that each time I go I am in “Lance Armstrong” shape and can cover all of the highly rated trails but more often than not it’s not true. Even if I am in decent Michigan cross-country shape, riding many out-of-state trails in mountainous regions is a very different type of climbing. When traveling, I am renting e-bikes to go 30 miles instead of 15! More time on the trail and more time on the bike is a WIN-WIN!
Another scenario where we have found e-bikes to be an advantage is the enjoyability it gives my wife and me when riding together. My wife owns an e-bike, and when we go to local trails where e-bikes are allowed, she can ride a full 20 miles without the conditioning I may have at the time. E-bikes are a perfect equalizer for riding with a wide variety of people in different stages of fitness. I’ve seen them bring back the joy of riding for people who have had knee surgeries or other health concerns or even introduce new people to the sport of mountain biking, allowing them to become more fit! For these reasons, I’m excited by this positive step our state has taken!
I think the arguments against e-bikes are fading as we see haven’t seen shortcomings when allowing these bikes on mountain bike trails. They don’t damage the trails and folks aren’t riding out of their limits and crashing more than they would on a regular bike. E-bike costs also eliminate average people buying a new e-bike and riding and hurting themselves. I also know from experience that you have to know what you’re doing and have some fitness and riding experience, to make these bikes go fast.
Congratulations, Michigan DNR, for making a great step forward in the future of mountain biking in our awesome state!
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