Fine for riding e-bikes on trails in DC?

[baiskeli]

What is the rule for scooters in bike lanes?

There was an old man riding one on Penn Ave a few weeks ago. I pulled up to him at a light and said, "You know this is a bike lane, right." He told me that if the scooter is under 49cc, he is ok to ride in the bike lane. Is that true?

Yes, according to this article at least:

http://www.welovedc.com/2010/09/28/d...ust-for-bikes/

Same for Segways.

[btj]

If someone (NPS or DC) were to enforce the no e-bike thing, does anyone know what the penalty/fine would be?

[cyclingfool]

[Crickey7]

If someone (NPS or DC) were to enforce the no e-bike thing, does anyone know what the penalty/fine would be?

As with the MVT, NPS "closed" the CCT last year at the DC line due to the government shutdown. Enforcement consisted of a log painted white that was propped up on two large rocks blocking the paved part, but not the unpaved dirt immediately next to it. And after a while, people moved the log.

You can kind of tell when they're winking at something. I have no doubt that could change in a heartbeat if there were a large influx of especially speedy e-bikes.

[83(b)]

In place of having a second car in the family, I use an e-bike as my town bike. I've taken it on the MVT to get to Virginia (since it's the only real option) on any number of occasions and never had any problems. I've only ridden my road bike on the CCT, but based on your descriptions of his riding, I can't see any reasonable person objecting your friend riding his there.

That just leaves unreasonable people, who are best ignored. Though I'd love to hear NPS' response if that guy ever does call in to report your friend. Based on my experience calling to report a bunch of kids tear-assing around the Anacostia trails on dirt bikes, I would expect him to be paid polite lip service at best.

[dplasters]

My concern with e-bikes is always the person who creates a bike at home that can go 30mph+...

The legal e-bikes that are limited to 20mph should be allowed anywhere a regular old bike can go.

[hozn]

My concern with e-bikes is always the person who creates a bike at home that can go 30mph+...

I have never encountered one of these; I don't think this is a real problem. And plenty of [conventional bicycle] riders can go 30+ mph; just look at Tim's KOMs!

[W & Odie]

My concern with e-bikes is always the person who creates a bike at home that can go 30mph+...

Has anyone encountered the dude with the electric-powered skateboard? Last year I saw him several times along the W&OD between Hunter Mill and Vienna (haven't seen him this year). One time I was riding up the grade toward Vienna at about 18 mph and he overtook me at about 25 mph.

His skateboard looked similar to this: Electric skateboard

[Oldtowner]

I got passed by an e-bike on the MVT a while back, I was doing around 20 and he flew by me, definitely 25+. If e-bikes were limited to 20mph, I'd be fine with it, but faster than that could be a problem. With regular bikes most people at those speeds are reasonably experienced. With an e-bike who knows?

BTW an old bitty on a cruiser yelled at me a couple of weeks ago for "speeding" on my panniered-up commuter on the MVT near the airport. Wasn't doing more than 17 mph, but she thought I was a menace at that speed. It's all relative, I guess.

[jabberwocky]

Has anyone encountered the dude with the electric-powered skateboard? Last year I saw him several times along the W&OD between Hunter Mill and Vienna (haven't seen him this year). One time I was riding up the grade toward Vienna at about 18 mph and he overtook me at about 25 mph.

I've got one I built myself that I ride around Reston. Never been down towards Vienna on it. You might see me between 286 and Whiele occasionally (I run errands on it).

25mph is awful fast on a skateboard. Mine tops out at 23 or so and I've only topped it out a handful of times. I mostly cruise at around 15mph. They don't really have brakes.