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U.S. NEWS Wednesday 26 June 2019

E-bikes encounter rocky road to approval despite popularity

Maine and 21 other states bikes are for people who
have adopted laws that qualify for mobility devices
classify e-bikes into cat- under the Americans With
egories. Most are treated Disabilities Act, said Chris-
like regular bicycles under tie Anastasia, park spokes-
such laws, said Lommele, woman. For the Goodwins,
who has been working with the middle-range Special-
states to create uniform ized e-bikes were a signifi-
definitions. Only the fast- cant investment that has
est e-bikes are restricted to allowed them to get out-
roads. At Acadia National doors and get moving.
Park, the e-bikes are wel- They hope the park ser-
come on paved roads in- vice reconsiders and allows
side the park and even on e-bikes wherever regular
dirt roads where cars and bikes are permitted. A Na-
trucks are allowed. tional Park Service spokes-
But they’re not allowed on woman said the new rules
the 57 miles (92 kilometers) are expected in coming
of carriage roads funded weeks.
and built by John D. Rock- Gordon Goodwin, who’s
efeller Jr. that meander an electrician, said at the
throughout the park, offer- very least he’d like to see
ing stunning views of lakes, a trial period for e-bikes on
mountains and the ocean. the carriage paths.
The carriage paths are “Everybody should get out
popular with bicyclists. there and enjoy the park,”
In this June 8, 2019 photo, Gordon and Janice Goodwin show their electric-assist bicycles outside The only exceptions for e- he said.q
their home in Bar Harbor, Maine. The bikes are banned on carriage roads and bicycle paths in
nearby Acadia National Park.
Associated Press CAR RENTAL 5616944
By DAVID SHARP thousands of miles of trail $144 million in the U.S. last Address: Paramira #30 (Oranjestad) - Email: yessrentalcar@gmail.com - Website: www.yessrentalcar.com
Associated Press off-limits to e-bikes. year, helping to breathe
BAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) Across the country, regula- life into bicycle sales that We Rent:
— Gordon Goodwin and tors are sorting out how to have been relatively flat, Cars- Vans - SUV
his wife are rediscovering classify the two-wheelers, according to the NPD
their passion for bicycling which are something more Group, which tracks retail
in their senior years thanks than a bicycle, something bike sales nationwide.
to new electric-assist bikes. less than a motorcycle. The Their popularity has led to
The electric motors provide National Park Service, for conflict.
a gentle kick, making it its part, may soon loosen its In bike-friendly southern
easier for them to pedal up restrictions. California, as local land
hilly roads around Maine’s “I’m hoping that they’re managers take cues from
Acadia National Park. going to come to reality,” agencies like the National
“We’re getting older,” said Janice Goodwin, Gor- Park Service, some are ban-
said Gordon, who turns don’s wife. “This will get ning e-bikes from bicycle
69 Wednesday. But, he more popular as time goes paths. That has angered
added, “It’s nice to go on.” riders, said Morgan Lom-
somewhere and have the E-bikes are the fastest- mele, of PeopleForBikes, a
breeze in your hair, like you growing segment of the bi- bicycle advocacy group
did when you were young.” cycle industry. They’re pop- and trade association.
They can’t get that experi- ular with commuters and Major bicycle companies
ence on Acadia’s bicycle baby boomers who might including Trek, Specialized,
paths, though. not otherwise be able to Cannondale and Giant
The National Park Service get out on a bicycle. want electric-assisted two-
classifies their so-called e- The bikes, which can cost wheelers to be treated like
bikes as motorized vehicles, $2,000 or more, combine bicycles and not like mo-
relegating them mostly to the frame of a regular bike peds, scooters or motorcy-
paved roads clogged with with lightweight batteries cles, said Jay Townley, who
summer traffic. Nationwide, and electric motors for ex- analyzes cycling industry
the agency and others that tra zip. trends at Human Powered
manage public lands keep Their sales jumped 72% to Solutions.