I did a thing...

 

I have a confession to make. I did a thing recently that will draw criticism from some folks. I bought an e-bike. That’s a regular bicycle with an electric motor to help with the pedaling.

Now, bike purists might look down their noses at those on an e-bike. I’m sure I have some biking buddies that might think less of me because of that. I can live with that.

This particular e-bike is a mountain bike. Most of my biking these days is on a mountain bike. I still ride my road bike from time to time and a gravel bike trip across Rich Mountain is a Wednesday standard.

But now I own an e-bike.  That decision to buy an e-bike was based on several factors.

First, I’m getting older. 72, as a matter of fact. And the only person that I ride with that’s older than me is Ken Bell, who happens to be (and has always been) a beast on the bicycle. Any bicycle.

So, other than riding with Dr. Bell, I’m always chasing younger people.

The thing about mountain biking is that there is always climbing. Always. What goes down must first go up.  There are no exceptions to this rule. And these old legs don’t climb like they used to.

This bike won’t pedal for me—I still have to do my part—but it will help me do this longer and better. That’s a good thing. But here’s the problem—there are e-bikes out there that are basically electric motorcycles. If it has a throttle, it isn’t a bicycle anymore. And that’s what put me down the path for today’s column.

A friend just sent me a note complaining about all these types of vehicles on the Greenbelt.  It seems that he was nearly hit on several occasions, as he walked along what has to be one of the nicest features of our communities. Almost hit by cycles that you basically don’t have to pedal. Essentially electric motorcycles.

Then last weekend, my grandson and I had a kid on a mini-bike (remember those things) buzz by us on the Greenbelt near Alcoa High School. He passed us on the bridge and then we followed him as he took off up the path that follows along the creek.

That’s got to be illegal.  And it’s for sure dangerous for those using the Greenbelt for running, walking, and cycling. And I would estimate that half the people on bicycles on the Greenbelt weren’t wearing helmets.  That’s just not smart.

One of the more serious injuries that I know of was on the Greenbelt.  A seasoned rider, hit some loose dirt under a bridge, went down, and knocked himself unconscious.  Had he not been wearing a helmet, that injury might have killed him.

The e-bikes on the same trail are a different matter, although again, if it has a throttle and you don’t have to pedal much, it’s not a bicycle.  My wife reminds me often that even if the effort is minimal, at least people are getting out and doing something. 

That's true.  Even if it doesn't take much effort, it's better than sitting on the couch binging on TV.  There are benefits to green therapy--getting outside for whatever the reason.  

I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I think they should be working harder but I would be a hypocrite if I didn’t admit that I do the same thing. Sort of.

Anyway. Be safe out there. Don’t ruin the Greenbelt for the rest of us.