Re: K&P Trail Permits

Rick Revelle | Dec 04, 2024

In this story that was printed on Wednesday November 27th Councillor Ray Leonard when talking about the ATV arrangement for the Frontenac Trail brought up the subject about trail bikes and e-bikes. Saying that a “motor is a motor.”

Leonard is technically correct but logically I do not think he has any idea what an e-bike is capable of. If you do not pedal an e-bike it will not move. Yes they do have a throttle but if you use the throttle for any length of time the battery will drain and you will have to pedal it without any assist which is a tough ride, because an e-bike weighs around 50 pounds.

I drive my e-bike around 1500 plus Kilometres a year. I might use the throttle for a total of 1or 2 Kilometres during that total of 1500 K. The pedal assist with cut out when you go above 20 KPH, so I keep it at this speed.

If Mr. Leonard is concerned about e-bikes and their speed, most serious bikers on normal bikes go faster than an e-bike. When I am on the trails where I spend 50% of my time I keep my speed around 16 to 18 KPH because of the terrain and roughness of the trail in spots. I am always passed by regular bikers who travel that sped or faster.

E-bikes are not ATV’s nor are they even close to a trail bike for speed or wear and tear on the trails. They are a recreation vehicle that you have to burn calories and not gas to keep them going.

Rick Revelle