200 SIGNATURES IN 2 DAYS!
200 Signatures in 2 days!!! Thanks everyone.
The HATE continues to pour in, I have been told to keep my motorcycle off the trails LOL.
The ignorance and misinformation around ebikes is astounding. The true purpose of this petition is to spread information.
Carter Road is County run, and they are just late to the game, but I’m optimistic that their Risk Management Department will come to the same conclusion as all the other parks we love to ride and that we will soon be able to enjoy the trails there like everyone else. I commend Steve Spong and the Ridge Riders for their vision and hard work that they have put in there.
Again, this is not so much about Carter as it is about awareness and information. I encourage people to remember what MTB is all about, and that’s that a bunch of cool, down to earth, open minded, laid back, beer drinking, guys and gals like to be outdoors and have fun. I don’t understand the viewpoint of so many not wanting me to ride an ebike because THEY don’t want to ride an ebike. It’s a childish 3rd grade mentality. For those that think that Class 1 eBikes will do harm to the trails, show us the evidence, the studies, the information, and stats. Know that we are not out there ‘racing’ or ‘tearing it up’ as some have put it, in fact I often get passed by the XC guys, I’m just out there having fun. I get it, there are bad apples, rule breakers, but that can be said about anyone regardless of what bike they ride.
One suggestion I received was that ebikers should make their own ebike specific trails, and my reply was that an ebike trail would look EXACTLY like any other MTB trail, and that is the point.
I have also learned that a lot of the issues are actually with Class 2 & 3 ebikes, and people not understanding the difference. I concur that Class 2 & 3 should not be used on bike trails. What is the solution? I’d say that if you are caught on a Class 2 or 3 where they are not permitted, that you are fined, heavily. I don’t think anyone would risk a $500 fine to ride where they are not permitted. This can apply to Class 1 also, but I will fight for the Class 1 bikes to share the same trails I’ve always ridden for 20+ years, starting on an aluminum 26” hardtail to my full suspension 29” transition to my Trek Rail.
We DO NOT want to break rules, we simply want the permitting of Class 1 Bikes for use on the trails, this will help alleviate pressure at the other parks and bring new volunteers and funding to Carter in return.
In regard to Carter Road, I am working with Mike Callender of Polk Country Parks & Recreation and will be sending all signatures to him, so please let your voices be heard!
Mike Callender
Manager
Phone: (863) 534-4340
Toll Free: (800) 780-5346
MikeCallender@polk-county.net