Page 37 - Winter 2018 Journal
P. 37

CLASS 1-3 DEFINITIONS

            American e-bike manufacturers created three categories for e-bikes, including eMTBs:







             >20 MPH                            >20 MPH                           >28 MPH
             PEDAL ASSIST                       THROTTLE ASSIST                   PEDAL ASSIST
            CLASS 1                            CLASS 2                           CLASS 3

            A “Class 1 electric bicycle,” or “low-speed   A “Class 2 electric bicycle,” or “low-speed   A “Class 3 electric bicycle,” or “speed
            pedal-assisted electric bicycle,” is a   throttle-assisted electric bicycle,” is a   pedal-assisted electric bicycle,” is a bicycle
            bicycle equipped with a motor that   bicycle equipped with a motor that may   equipped with a motor that provides
            provides assistance only when the rider is   be used exclusively to propel the bicycle,   assistance only when the rider is pedaling,
            pedaling, and that ceases to provide   and that is not capable of providing   and that ceases to provide assistance when
            assistance when the bicycle reaches the   assistance when the bicycle reaches the   the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per
            speed of 20 miles per hour.        speed of 20 miles per hour.       hour, and is equipped with a speedometer.

            Most eMTBs from major manufacturers are Class 1 electric bikes that require riders
            to be pedaling for the motor to engage. Source: eMTB Land Manager Handbook, PeopleForBikes





                                                              Jason Regan climbs You Hoo road at Steamboat Resort. In sum-
                                                              mer 2017, the Steamboat Bike Park piloted an e-bike program that
                                                              allows riders to climb service roads and descend bike park trails
                                                              when accompanied by a guide. Larry Pierce/Steamboat Ski Resort
















































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