Manchester Cycle Ride - ebikes not allowed. - what are your thoughts?

[Ettica]

Home | Great Manchester Cycle

Thought about entering the above but have been told I can't on an ebike.

The reaon?
Here is their reply.

Unfortunately we do not allow electric bikes in our event and this is detailed in the event T&C’s (see below). This decision was taken based on an experience at the 2012 event which compromised the safety of other event participants.

3.11 You are not permitted to use the following items in the Event:-
3.11.1 triathlon bars;
3.11.2 Aero bars;
3.11.3 Clip-on bars;
3.11.4 Prayer bars;
3.11.5 Spinaci bars;
3.11.6 Cow Bars or;
3.11.7 Electric or assisted bikes;
3.11.8 any other item that could potentially inhibit the flow or safety of other participants or which we, in our reasonable opinion, deem may cause danger or risk of danger to you or other participants.

I think I can sort of understand.... a bit.... but I also think it's a bit harsh.

What do you think?

 

[Spinalot]

The safety police have come out in force it seems. I bet they wont let you ride unless you have a helmet on too?
*edit* Ha ha, found it

It is the policy of the event organisers that a helmet is compulsory for the Great Manchester Cycle.* you must wear a cycle helmet that is Snell, CE or ANSI approved. - See more at: Great Manchester Cycle | 13.1 Miles, 26.2 Miles & 52 Miles cycling event in Manchester | Great Manchester Cycle

 

[Spinalot]

Oh boy, so much wrong with that event.

• You should drink to prevent thirst rather than because of it. If you are thirsty you are already dehydrated and your performance will be affected.

and

• Eat a carbohydrate snack 2 to 3 hours before you exercise to top up your energy stores.

Lies and pseudo science peddled by the miss-informed and then perpetuated as fact by the people taking part "cos I read it on a website"

 

[dmcgoldrick]

etape caledonian in scotland will not allow ebikes......they claim its not a race (but it is !!!!) and there is a shorter route in addition to the main 'race' which would be ideal distance for ebikes .......dont know why they cant have ebikes going out after all the lycra riders....its supposed to primarily be a charity fund raising event........just another reason that ebikes will never become mainstream as they are not considered to be 'bikes'........but motorised vehicles by the cycling fraternity........
ebiking will have to initiate its own events.......specialist bikes like brompton and moulton have their own clubs and annual meets..........could be the way to go if any enterprising enthusiasts could put something together......what happened to the Presteigne event.....was there not enough interest ???
regards

 

[timidtom]

J has twice ridden in Cycletta organised charity rides - no objection raised and great support throughout the events.
Tom

 

[Ettica]

I was going to do the ride to raise some money for Epilepsy Action, but now can't.

There is a 100 mile London ride later in the year where EAction will pay for your entry if you pledge to raise a certain amount.

London is rather a long way and the route is rather long to but I bet it would be great fun, not sure if they allow ebikes either.

Beginning to feel like a lepper, "neither one n'or t'other'. ah well, will just have to keep enjoy my own little cycle routes, pretending the crowds are out throwing money into my paniers

 

[flecc]

This decision was taken based on an experience at the 2012 event which compromised the safety of other event participants.

It would have been useful to know what that incident was, since at present one has no idea whether they've over-reacted or not.

 

[rog_london]

Home | Great Manchester Cycle

Thought about entering the above but have been told I can't on an ebike.

The reaon?
Here is their reply.

Unfortunately we do not allow electric bikes in our event and this is detailed in the event T&C’s (see below). This decision was taken based on an experience at the 2012 event which compromised the safety of other event participants.



I think I can sort of understand.... a bit.... but I also think it's a bit harsh.

What do you think?

I think there's a fair chance that the 'incident' alluded to might well be in respect of an e-bike which was, shall we say, generously specified in the power and speed department.

If every e-bike rider had been riding a bike which was not assisted beyond the 'legal' 15mph (ish) no bike would have stood out from the crowd as being indecently fast.

I have sympathy with the organizers in such a circumstance. A 'rogue' bike might be difficult to spot before the event was under way and by then it would be a little difficult to enforce anything at all.

I don't know if this is what actually happened - but if so it would be a fine example of the 'no one will catch me riding an illegal bike' coming home to roost and penalizing everyone else.

Rog.

 

[flecc]

I suspect the same Rog, it would be difficult to conceive of a fully legal e-bike causing a danger to other entrants.

 

[Spinalot]

I suspect the same Rog, it would be difficult to conceive of a fully legal e-bike causing a danger to other entrants.

Then they should specify only road legal ebikes allowed. But no, some jobs-worth will have gone all safety police on them.
Nanny state hrrmmpff

 

[Ettica]

I ride an assisted bike because
A: I enjoy
B: I do need assistance at times, although not all the time. I admit it, my fitness is not of Olympian proportions because of age and previous lifestyle faupars that are still effecting me, although in lesser amounts these days.
C: er.... I enjoy it .. again

It would have been nice to have ridden in a large group without fear of heart rhythms going out of kilter and being able to 'pace' myself over the duration of the route on closed roads without the worry of traffic. But, hey ho, maybe something else will come along

 

[rog_london]

Then they should specify only road legal ebikes allowed. But no, some jobs-worth will have gone all safety police on them.
Nanny state hrrmmpff

I have to heartily disagree with that. If the event is being run on public roads or indeed on non-public roads to which the public nevertheless have access it's clearly implicit that only road-legal e-bikes can be used. Nanny state or not, we have a valuable 'concession' in being allowed to ride e-bikes with assistance to 15mph and have them treated as bicycles. I know that to a large extent we have the EU to thank for the rules which now apply, but they are clear enough and we all know very well what they are, at least in general.

Health and safety considerations can seem to be a nuisance when we're on the wrong end of them - usually that's the case! However, to the organizers of events like this it's a major headache because if they haven't covered all the bases and someone is hurt or killed and they are held liable it's big money and possibly jail time.

The organizers would see relatively few e-bikes at such an event, and they would also be aware that the non-assisted cyclists would not accept them too readily - and that's the market share they would be catering for. If an e-bike rider makes an obvious nuisance of him/herself then we, as a barely tolerated minority, would all suffer. That seems to be what's happened here.

Rog.

 

[Spinalot]

You are right of course Rog, I am just a grumpy old fart that hates when I am confronted with regulation and safety-ness.

 

[rog_london]

You are right of course Rog, I am just a grumpy old fart that hates when I am confronted with regulation and safety-ness.

Not a problem! Actually it's the organizers who have the real dilemma here, and IMO they have done the only thing they could do.

Let's hope that banning us from public riding events doesn't become universal. We need to jealously guard the definition of 'bicycle' which opens lots of doors. I feel that depends on us being collectively responsible and keeping our bikes within legal limits, or alternatively being extra careful - and lucky!

Rog

 

[Spinalot]

I personally do not get the whole make it go faster approach, I went for my brand of bike because I want to actually work out and get exercise, so no throttle for me. I also think that 15mph is fine. I would like it to be a bit "Boostier" off the lights, But I can live perfectly happily with what I have.
I am finding with the cut off at 15mph actually makes me work harder as I am always trying to get it to over the 15mph cut off, so I save on power. It is a win win

 

[Kudoscycles]

Not a problem! Actually it's the organizers who have the real dilemma here, and IMO they have done the only thing they could do.

Let's hope that banning us from public riding events doesn't become universal. We need to jealously guard the definition of 'bicycle' which opens lots of doors. I feel that depends on us being collectively responsible and keeping our bikes within legal limits, or alternatively being extra careful - and lucky!

Rog

Rog....We don't do ourselves any favours.....Dongles,Deristrict and Bosch....we cannot be surprised that organisers don't want us!
KudosDave

 

[rog_london]

I personally do not get the whole make it go faster approach, I went for my brand of bike because I want to actually work out and get exercise, so no throttle for me. I also think that 15mph is fine. I would like it to be a bit "Boostier" off the lights, But I can live perfectly happily with what I have.
I am finding with the cut off at 15mph actually makes me work harder as I am always trying to get it to over the 15mph cut off, so I save on power. It is a win win

That's exactly my opinion too. I have two motorbikes (one here, one in foreign parts) and so if speed is what I'm after I can do that....

The Kalkhoff Sahel Pro never fails to impress me. Not cheap, but of excellent design quality. I also use it for exercise and the fun of riding - I don't commute so it's not 'useful' in that respect. I do amaze myself though - I never thought the day would dawn when I would be happy to spend hours on a bike and do 50-60 miles at a stretch. I didn't do that when I was 18 - now 50 years later that keeps happening.

All we need now is some warmer and drier weather. It would not be before time either.

Rog.