9/6/2019 E-bike comments - Comments, Regs (OCR) E-bike comments Daniel Macdonald <[email protected]> Fri 7/26/2019 12:42 AM To:Comments, Regs (OCR) <[email protected]>; I am glad that you are taking an interest in regulating e-bikes. Thee-bike technology on bikes now sold in bike shops limits them to 28 -mphccBut;you,have,to,considercthecad\/ances,in,technologycforce,bikescfc>rcthe,next,fi'le,otce_v_encfifle_ency_ll_ara,-=To_e,b_alte_rie_scand,electronic---­ motors are sure to skyrocket up in powe and performance. Even the non-electronic mountain bikes (which thee-bikes are based on) are seeing a large upward swing in their riding limits due to a highly competive bike business and large international bike manufacturers with their racing teams and multimillion R&D budgets. From what I have seen, e-bikes started about twenty five years ago as kits with the electric motor hub, battery and controller. A home hobbyist could take his old bike and bring new life into it by converting it to electric. Bicycle, in general have always been a product that the individual has always fixed him/her self, upgraded parts, be the wheels or forks and modified any way the liked. Well the current crop of e-bike are resonably powerful, all it takes is two or three small manufatures selling more powerful batteries, beefed up motors and controllers, including a throttle control on the handlebars for electric power control. In the future you may see a high-end mountain bike e-bike modified with two or even three batteries and the electronic contrls and speed governor replaced giving a top speed more in keeping with a motorcycle dirt bike than a bicycle I am a avid bicycle enthusiast and love mountain bikes for the challenge and conditoning in riding a little harder, for another hour and pedaling to the top ot that big hill. I consider e-bikes to be a different type of tranportation from a regular bike be it a moutain bike, road bike or other. I would even call it a different type of invention. Dan Macdonald httns:1/email.state.ma.us/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&ltem ID=AAMkADczNTMxNGFiLWY3ZTctNDgzZC05MTQzLTl5MWlzMGZkNmNIYwBG... 1/1 91612019 302 CMR, eBikes comment - Comments, Regs (OCR) 302 CMR, eBikes comment Patrick Allen <[email protected]> Fri 7/26/2019 1:24 PM To:Comments, Regs (DCR) <[email protected]>; Hello DCR, I would like to comment on the status of e-bikes on unpaved, unimproved trails. I consider e-bikes a form of motorized vehicles, and I believe narrow singletrack trails should be for purely human-powered use only. No form of motorized vehicles, including e-bikes or e-MTBs, should be on singletracks. It is ok fore-bikes to travel on dirt roads and double-tracks, but singletrack mountain biking should be the domain of muscle-powered recreation only, E-bikes support much more speed than ordinary mountain bikes, and this will inevitably change the characteristics of singletrack trails. Current singletracks are narrow, twisting, and primitive, which is appreciated by both hikers and traditional mountain bikers. E-bikes' higher speeds will alter exiting patterns of erosion and vegetation growth, and e-bikes will bring more naive users onto these trails who may not appreciate the ethical importance of minimizing the impact of recreational activities on the environment. OCR properties in MA are opportunities to recreate in a semi-wilderness area, where it is understood that everyone is using their own muscle power to travel and enjoy the woods. E-bikes represent a characteristically different mode of transportation which will likely have unwelcome physical impacts, as well as dissolve the pleasant satisfaction that all travel through these areas is by muscle power, not using technological forms of energy. Sincerely, Patrick Allen Waltham, MA htlps:1/email.state.ma. us/owal#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&ltemlD=AAMkADczNTMxNGFiLWY3ZTctNDgzZC05MTQzLTl5MWlzMGZkNmNIYwBG... 111 9/6/2019 E-bike regulations - Comments, Regs (OCR) E-bike regulations Nick Bonfatti <[email protected]> Sat 7/27/2019 10:46 AM To:Comments, Regs (OCR) <[email protected]>; cc:[email protected] < [email protected] >; I am writing in opposition to 302 CMR 11.00: Parkways, Traffic, and Pedestrian Rules 302 CMR 12.00: Parks and Recreation Rules, which would prohibit usage of electric bicycles on all natural surface trails, improved trails that are less than 8' wide and on dirt roads that are not open to vehicular traffic. I would ask that in order to provide clarity on exactly the devices being regulated, the OCR should follow the 3-class model system that defines the types of electric bicycles being regulated, or hold off until legislation is passed by the state that would create a classification system in Massachusetts. I also ask that the DCR look to allow Class-2 and Class-3 electric bikes where appropriate on paths and roadways, and that the DCR should look to allow Class-1 electric bicycles on off-road natural surface trails where appropriate. I ask that the OCR to not enact any statewide prohibitions without proper analysis of the impact and encourage the use of studies and research in determining where differing classes of electric bicycles should and shouldn't ride, especially for off-road natural surface trails and for the bikeway and multi-use paths. I personally would be affected by this because I have foot and knee problems and riding unassisted gives me serious pain, but riding assisted gives me a great source of pain-free exercise while I commute to work and help the environment by replacing car trips. I think a better solution would be to institute speed limits on DCR trails. Thank you for considering the important role that e-bikes play in our state. Nick Bonfatti 372 River st Unit 1 Waltham, MA 02453 508 333 6425 [email protected] httM·//p.m::iil ~t::itP. m,q 11!=./ow;:i/#viewmodel=ReadMessaaeltem&ltemlD=AAMkADczNTMxNGFiLWY3ZTctNDgzZC05MTQzLTl5MWlzMGZkNmNIYwBG... 1/1 9/6/2019 E-Bike Regulations - Comments, Regs (OCR) E-Bike Regulations David <[email protected]> Sun 7/28/201910:39 PM To:Comments, Regs (DCR) <[email protected]>; To who it may concern. I'm 62 years old have been able to once again enjoy Mountain biking due to my E-Bike. The pedal assist al I ows me~to climlrhllls thatwou Id have~been~uncloa b1e~on~Hegu lar-oike~Tne~,ststan.;ecDuescNotccaaseonycmore~h arm~to~the~ trails than a normal mtn bike with a strong rider. The bikes are extremely quiet, most people don't even notice the difference. Most fellow riders are more inquisitive than anything else and seem to like seeing and older man enjoying the beautiful trails. Please do not restrict E-Bike as they are the future. Thanks Dave David LeBlanc 16 Nick Rock Rd. Attleboro, MA. 02703 httos:1/email.state .ma.us/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageltem&ltemlD=AAMkADczNTMxNGFiLWY3ZTctNDgzZC05MTQzLTl5MWlzMGZkNmNIYwBG... 1/1 9/6/2019 302 CMR - Comments, Regs (DCR) 302 CMR Sujit Sitole <[email protected]> Mon 7/29/2019 8:11 AM To:Comments, Regs (OCR) <[email protected]>; I am in support of this regulation - pedal assist bikes are motorized be definition and they are not a good fit for narrow or natural surface trails-in the Commonwealth; - -- --- - --- ---- -- --- -- - Sincerely, Sujit Sitole 4 Granison Road, Weston, MA 617-943-0322 httnc:·//pm~il <:.t.qtp m:::111!=</nw;::i/#viAwmodel=ReadMessaaeltem&ltemlD=AAMkADczNTMxNGFiLWY3ZTctNDgzZC05MTQzLTl5MWlzMGZkNmNIYwBG... 1/1 9/6/2019 Comments on Proposed Regulations for Pedal-assist el... - Comments, Regs (OCR) Comments on Proposed Regulations for Pedal-assist electric bicycles on DCR trails Calvin R. Goldsmith <[email protected]> , Mon 7/29/2019 1:00 PM To:Comments, Regs (OCR) <[email protected]>; Good Afternoon, As a long-time mountain bike rider and user of State forests and other DCR managed lands, I strongly support the DCR's stated position and proposed regulations on pedal-assisted electric bicycles. The power and speed an electric bicycle can provide its rider far surpasses that of a human-powered mountain bike. Their use is therefore, in my opinion, incompatible with narrower gravel roads and trails, and especially with single-track trails mountain bikers typically ride on. Several key points I'd like to make: • The potential for erosion of trails does exist with power assisted bikes, whereas mountain bikes are highly unlikely to cause trail erosion. I would hate to see mountain bikers blamed for trail erosion caused by electrically powered bikes. • All of state park systems in New England, including DCR, currently manage e-bikes as off-road motorized vehicles. The same is true federally for the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. • In contrast, mountain biking is a human-powered sport that is proven to be socially and environmentally compatible on non­ motorized trails shared with other non-motorized trail users. Thank you for considering my informed input. Cal Goldsmith Calvin R. Goldsmith VP & Treasurer Goldsmith, Prest & Ringwall, Inc. 39 Main Street Suite 301 Ayer, MA 01432 978-772-1590 httn~·/fc.m~il ci.tR.tA mR- 11s/nw.:i/#viewmodel=ReadMessaqeltem&ltemlD=AAMkADczNTMxNGFiLWY3ZTctNDgzZC05MTQzLTl5MWlzMGZkNmNIYwBG... 1/1 9/6/2019 proposed e-bike regulations - Comments, Regs (OCR) proposed e-bike regulations Jerry Callen <[email protected]> Tue 7/30/2019 8:09 AM To:Comments, Regs (DCR) <[email protected]>; cc:MassBike <[email protected] >; I am writing regarding 302 CMR 11.00: Parkways, Traffic, and Pedestrian Rules 302 CMR 12.00: Parks and Recreation Rules, which would prohibit usage of electric bicycles on all natural surface trails, improved trails that are less than 8' wide and on dirt roads that are not open to vehicular traffic.