Ebikes And Their Place (Or Not) In Outdoor Recreation – Great Wide Open

With a lower overall carbon footprint compared to gas-powered motors and no direct emissions — not to mention they contribute to less congestion on roads and are easier to park – ebiking as a short-distance transportation option has nearly unanimous support in most communities. But do ebikes fit into our outdoor recreation experience? And if so, which ones and where? What even is an ebike?!?

On the latest Great Wide Open, host Lisa Hathaway sits down with two long-time cycling aficionados about ebikes and their place (or not) in our local landscape. Part one features guest Ashley Korenblat, owner of Western Spirit Cycling Adventures, managing director of Public Lands Solutions and IMBA Mountain Biking Hall of Famer. Part two features Colin Topper, former Grand County High School Mountain Biking Team coach and the current biking representative to the Moab Trail Mix Committee.

Is there a place for these ebikes on our local trails? The host and guests are not sure about the answer, but all agree that Moabites must continue the dialogue, examine the data and look at what other communities are doing to successfully integrate (or not) class 1 access to single track trails. They also mull other options for getting folks out for great cycling experiences, regardless of the mode of cycling they choose.

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Show notes:

Photo: Courtesy Escape Adventures

Interested in being an advocate/representative for ebikes?
Contact: Colin_Topper@yahoo.com

Ebike guide to Moab
https://www.discovermoab.com/ebikes/