As electric trail bikes like Sur Rons and Talarias gain popularity among off-road enthusiasts, a growing conflict is emerging on mountain bike trails. These powerful machines, capable of speeds and torque far beyond that of a traditional mountain bike, are raising concerns among trail users, land managers, and environmental advocates.
But first, a little semantic cleaning. The term “electric bicycle” is used to broaden its scope, ranging from cute little folding electric motorcycles to much more rugged electric motorcycles. Similar to how motorcyclists communicate about their “motorcycles,” the term “e-bike” in common discussions is just that: familiar.
The term “electric bicycle,” on the other hand, is an actual regulatory designation that allows most electric mountain motorcycles and other shuttle-type electric bicycles to fall within the legal definition of bicycles. To oversimplify, the electric motorcycle that looks like a typical mountain bike is an electric motorcycle. One that looks like a motorcycle or dirt bike, probably an electric motorcycle.
This is a difference, as it is becoming a major factor in mountain bike trails in North America and many other parts of the world.
Unlike a typical five-pound electric mountain bike that can produce an amount of force roughly equivalent to that of a healthy adult, electric motorcycles like those from Sur Ron, Talaria, and other brands can weigh 2 to 3 times more and generate five to 10 times the amount of power as a typical electric mountain bike. It’s wonderful to ride, but like many things in life, there is a time and a place. Their proliferation of Sur Ron-style electric motorcycles has wreaked havoc on mountain motorcycle trails where such motorcycles are almost illegal.
Mountain motorcycle trails are thoughtfully designed to handle the wear and tear of typical mountain bikes. Regular electric mountain bikes, which have similar degrees of electric motor force to human pedaling force, often integrate well with mountain bike trails.
However, the maximum torque and weight of motorcycles like Sur Rons and Talarias can wreak havoc on those trails. These electric motorcycles are to blame for increased erosion, deeper ruts, and widening of trails in the spaces where those motorcycles are used. This is not just a matter of general wear and tear on the road, but rather damage that can require a lot of time and resources to repair.
Widening trails, caused by users being diverted from designated trails, also causes environmental degradation, damaging plant and wildlife habitats.
Mountain motorcycle trails are occasionally reserved for non-motorized use, and electric trail motorcycles with such heavy-duty motors and fat tires are never allowed at most. Some mountain bike parks have started accepting Class 1, 2 and/or 3 electric motorcycles, however Sur Rons and Talarias are prohibited at most due to their impressive performance. Their strength and speed far exceed what is allowed for electric motorcycles in the maximum regulations, which places them directly in the category of motorized cars such as those on land. motorcycles and quadricycles.
Weight also plays a primary role. The risk of serious injury is also greater due to the mass and momentum of those larger machines. With more sensitive speeds exceeding 64 km/h, electric motorcycles are particularly faster than classic electric bicycles or pedal bikes. This speed disparity creates detrimental situations for slower moving trail users.
Add to this the fact that many rugged electric riders are new to the game after buying or receiving a Sur Ron flavored bike, and this top speed can be even more damaging in the hands of a novice rider.
Last week, two Talarias motorcyclists were banned from the mountain motorcycle trails at Quiet Waters Park in South Florida, a volunteer-maintained mountain motorcycle trail loop that allows Class 1 electric motorcycles (electric motorcycles). pedal) up to 20 mph or 32 km. /h and 750W of power).
As a lead volunteer on the park’s trail structure and maintenance team, Nick Calabro was present when riders confronted a county worker and were asked to leave. “Several riders have reported interactions with them, ranging from finding them riding in the direction to not wearing the required helmets and of course even not being allowed to ride those motorcycles on the trails,” Calabro told ElectrekArray.
According to Calabro, the pair had purchased trail day passes for mountain bike riders, but then brought their much larger and more powerful Talaria motorbikes into the park.
The two men were seen on video attempting to fight trail volunteers after they were asked to leave the park. The interaction took place a few meters from a sign indicating the regulations posted in the park (seen at 0:11 in the video below).
These interactions constitute a small but developing phenomenon in mountain bikes, where classic mountain bike culture and etiquette clash head-on with Sur Ron riders who are unfamiliar with the practices and terrain.
Fortunately, many other locations exist that are ideal for electric motorbikes that fall outside the realm of traditional electric mountain bikes.
Off-road vehicle (OHV) trails designed for motorized cars such as UTVs, ATVs, and dirt bikes are ideal places to ride rugged electric motorcycles. These trails are designed for sturdier cars and are just as tricky as mountain bike trails.
I ride an e-MTB… Trek Rail 9.9. Class 1 that you must pedal to ride with assisted speed of 20 mph. It’s a blast on the local trails so I’m not against the concept of e-MTB within reason.
That said, I almost got hit by one of those electric motorcycles on our quiet multi-use trails near my space that prohibit everything, even Class 1 electric bikes. The guy ran me off the road and into a giant juniper tree. I suffered a jagged cut on my forearm that required 10 stitches. Where was he? It was gone in an instant. I didn’t even stop to see if he was okay.
As was noted by Leonard, the staffing of the USFS, the State and the local volunteer organizations are not equipped to deal with this. Peer pressure is needed but unfortunately you can run into bozos like this and end up in an altercation. The guy the ran me off the trail doesn’t want to meet in move favorable conditions.
Forestry/backcountry dirt roads, gravel roads, and fire roads can provide a mix of typical off-road riding and exploration, though don’t offer the same type of topography.
Motocross tracks are also excellent locations for Sur Ron and Talaria-style bikes, which can use the features for more thrilling jumps and berm riding.
Private land (with the owner’s permission) is one of the most productive places for those rugged electric motorcycles due to their ability to navigate the terrain and explore off-the-beaten-path spaces.
As the popularity of powerful electric trail bikes continues to rise, the question of how and where they should be ridden remains a contentious one. But with their ability to ride much rougher terrain as well as their increased impact on that terrain, one thing is for sure: delicate mountain bike trails aren’t the place for such powerful bikes.
Micah Toll is an EV enthusiast, battery enthusiast, and one of Amazon’s #1 bestselling books, DIY Lithium Batteries, DIY Solar Power, The Ultimate Guide to DIY Electric Bikes, and The Electric Bike Manifesto. .
The electric motorcycles that make up Micah’s current riders are the $999 Lectric XP 2. 0, the $1,095 Ride1Up Roadster V2, the $1,199 Rad Power Bikes RadMission, and the $3,299 Priority Current. But it’s a list that’s evolving quite a bit these days.
You can send tips to Micah to Micah@electrek. co or to him on Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.