[jaxtracks]

We ban e-bikes on many trails in Colorado, and I'm really glad we do:

1) MTB trails are high-maintenance. People riding more miles on heavier bikes means more wear and tear.

2) Their higher speed messes with the flow of traffic. In Colorado, I don't have to step off the trail much to let folks pass from behind. When I ride in other places that allow ebikes, it's pretty obnoxious to be letting them by.

3) They allow inexperienced folks deeper in the back-country. I had to go on a rescue with my S&R crew to assist a dehydrated e-bike rider with a dead battery 25 miles back to the trailhead. It was a very long day. People who go that far out are usually in far better shape and better prepared than the average rider.

4) They let less skilled riders on more difficult trails. This means brake bumps before the berms, trail widening, and ride-arounds appearing next to intimidating features.

No attack on you personally, I've ridden them extensively to train for downhill races and completely understand they can make the sport a lot more fun without having to grind the fitness aspect. However, myself and most other folks I come across in MTB, rescue, and trail building communities see some major systemic issues with their increased adoption.

I'm providing this perspective here because I think it's very relevant to the discussion on exoskeletons' potential impact on outdoor recreation. More hikers putting in more miles when they could get the same level of exercise staying on more beginner-friendly trails causes problems.

I do love the aspect of letting folks who would otherwise be unable to participate in these pursuits enjoy them, but I think Colorado's policy of limiting electrical assist to high-traffic beginner trails for bikes would be well adapted to hiking if these become a thing.

[flippyhead]

Thank you for this!