Ebikes

Too bad about the ban on class 2 and 3 bikes. We have a group of eight that are 70ish and we’re looking forward to coming out in September until we heard about the law. Guess we’ll spend our thousands of $$ elsewhere.

Too bad about your silly ban on e-bikes. We have a group of 8 in our 60’s and early 70’s that travel all over the country to ride bike trails. From Glacier to Bryce and Zion to Florida and Georgia and points in between. Especially in Wisconsin and Minnesota and upper Michigan all summer long. We’ve never encountered a ban. We were planning a trip to your trail in September but now we’ll just go and spend our thousands of $$’s elsewhere! No money spent at restaurants, casinos, gas, lodging. I think you’re cutting your own tourism throats!

You know, not everything in this country is about dollars. Maybe the SD legislature weighed your dollars against safety for OTHER traditional riders on the trail and they made the decision that your dollars weren't the priority. I know that's a concept that some e-bikers don't get. (Not all, but enough.)

Every now and then (not often), politicians get it right.

Have you stopped to consider that many more like me will now go to the GSM Trail now that class 2 and 3 bikes are banned? Maybe we more than make up for your dollars. I know my family spends a lot when we go there. And glad to do so. It's a great place to visit.

Honestly, I love going to South Dakota and I've never been there when there was a lack of tourists. The few people like you may not go to the Trail, but many will still go to see Mount Rushmore and the many other wonderful attractions that beautiful state has to offer.

I really have tried to stay out of this E-Bike thread because EVERYONE knows my thoughts on e-bikes. But when you put it strictly into dollars and cents and don't look at the safety aspect...well, I had to make a comment.

I hate to admit this, but I'm older than anyone in your group. To me, riding a non-assisted bike on the Mickelson Trail is half the fun. (The other half is the scenery.) The day I need a battery and a throttle to get me up a hill on the trail, I'll just stay home and ride in the local park.

By the way, I know a lot of trails that ban Class 3 bikes and many ban Class 2. I guess it depends on where you ride.

What's "silly" to you is not so funny to the people who have been injured by e-bikes. Like me. Of course, you could always move to SD and try to get the law changed.

I'll acknowledge that a person can get hurt by a traditional bike, but the damages and injuries are usually less. When you get run over by a 70# e-bike...well, you'll know the difference. You still can rent class 1 or traditional bikes for those people who want to ride a beautiful trail. Yuu should consider that.

LOL, I know I'm the Debbie-Downer in this thread. But when you wind up in an ER in Rapid City because of 2 e-bikers, you won't worry about "tourism dollars." You'll be thankful that the SD legislature put safety over those potential dollars.

Thank you.

Gregory, sorry that you and your friends will not get to ride in our wonderful State. Mark knows I do not fully agree with the States decision on the trail, but there are many reasons for that decision. South Dakota is a very welcoming state. It is one of the best places in the world to ride bikes, and for the most part we love it when people come to our state and ride with us. But we are a little sensitive when it comes to threats of spending your money else where. We just had to deal with a quarter million people of which too many think they own everything because they paid to visit. If you have that attitude we are glad you are not coming. But you are missing out. People here are helpful, friendly and hospitable. We have the Mickelson trail, plus 3000 miles of gravel riding in the Black Hills alone. Some of the best road riding anywhere, hundreds of miles of groomed mountain bike trails. You could spend a year riding E-bikes in the Black hills and not see it all.

Pat always has the most rational comments in this e-bike thread. I always admit my injury makes me less rational.

Pat is so correct about the people in South Dakota - friendly, helpful, and hospitable. From Sioux Falls to Chamberlain to Deadwood to Hill City, we've stayed all over the state. Always welcoming. The first trip we ever took back in the 70s was to Mount Rushmore. Even the people at the ER in Rapid City treated me like a neighbor. Really could ER care, too.

We go back to SD every chance we get. We went to Sturgis once not knowing it was the same week as the Motorcycle Rally. Won't make that mistake again, ha-ha. Nothing against bikers, but the hotel prices that week were insane...if you could get one.

I'd still recommend to anyone to rent Class 1 e-bikes for the Mickelson. The trail is one you want on your bucket list...even if you've done it before.

Happy riding.