pedelecs banned from UK event...

[Ruadh495]

Curiously they don't seem to have banned recumbents, which I understand some mass cycling events do. The risks of SWB recumbents in a crowded environment are (in my opinion) obvious and much greater than the risk of including pedelecs. Not a reason to ban LWB recumbents, but tar brushes tend to be on the broad side.

I notice that there is a graded start system based on their perception of rider ability. Using a pedelec could throw this out and lead to excessive overtaking.

 

[HelenJ]

So, who have you been in contact with at BHF?

As it happens I've been in contact with their press office this morning asking for a statement on the reasons why and briefly explained the law on e-bikes and how they help people with heart conditions. I'm hoping they can clarify the reasons behind only allowing non-powered bikes on this ride. If I get a reply I'll publish it on Pedelecs.

 

[crewpeter]

Has anybody actually spoken to the BHF ?

It says on their "Your Questions" page, :
Can I use any bike for the ride?
Only bicycles (two wheeled, non-powered cycles) must be ridden

I can see that they don't want motorcycles to take part, but are they actually intending to exclude pedelecs ?

Also nowhere in the definition for "bicycle" does it mention "non-powered" i.e.

noun "a vehicle consisting of two wheels held in a frame one behind the other, propelled by pedals and steered with handlebars attached to the front wheel"

AFAIK, a pedelec is propelled by pedals. So legally they don't have a pedal to stand on (sorry, bad pun there!)

 

[Artstu]

I spotted this youngster getting outside assistance, just look how dangerous this is that needs banning too

 

[flecc]

Only bicycles (two wheeled, non-powered cycles) must be ridden

I can see that they don't want motorcycles to take part, but are they actually intending to exclude pedelecs ?

Clearly yes, the meaning of non-powered cycles means just that. If they meant motorcycles they'd have said that.

It's their event, and they can set the rules for taking part, the law doesn't come into it.
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[tillson]

Clearly yes, the meaning of non-powered cycles means just that. If they meant motorcycles they'd have said that.

It's their event, and they can set the rules for taking part, the law doesn't come into it.
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All bicycles are powered or else they wouldn't move. It's just that "ordinary" bikes rely on human power alone and our pedelecs use a hybrid system of human and electrical power. I understand the spirit of what they mean though.

I still think it's a huge miscalculation by BHF to exclude pedelecs though because they actually fulfil many of the objective that they spend millions promoting. How mental is that?

If we feel strongly enough about it, HelenJ's approach is the way forward.

 

[crewpeter]

Clearly yes, the meaning of non-powered cycles means just that. If they meant motorcycles they'd have said that.

It's their event, and they can set the rules for taking part, the law doesn't come into it.
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Thank you for reply Flecc. I still think it is very short-sighted of them though. I found this page on this site: http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/news/electric-mountain-bike-heart-patient-trails-part-1/

Surely, they should be capitalising on this?

 

[Artstu]

Great story, although part 2 seems to be missing now.

{{ Admin note: fixed! }}

 

[(NoLongerRegistered#15675)]

Clearly yes, the meaning of non-powered cycles means just that. If they meant motorcycles they'd have said that.

It's their event, and they can set the rules for taking part, the law doesn't come into it.
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That's not quite true , if somebody shouted discrimination about a minority group they,d find a law to justify it. (they are being quite pedelecist ???)

 

[flecc]

I still think it is very short-sighted of them though.

From our educated point of view it possibly is short-sighted, and there could be various reasons:

It could simply be lack of understanding, the commonly used but inaccurate term Electric Bikes is misleading, inferring they are electrically driven and not merely assisted.

It could be for perceived safety reasons, since I understand the event is crowded. So they may be worried about performance mismatch.

Or it could simply be a perception of fairness, them feeling that having assistance isn't the same as others making all the effort.

Sometimes it's best to judge in a context not close to us. For example, youngsters often do sponsored swims for charity where we are asked to sponsor with X amount per length of the swimming baths swum.

Would you be happy for the swimmer you sponsored to use one of these propulsion devices?
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[(NoLongerRegistered#15675)]

mmmm ...a dongled soundwave water device ?? Think that's a jetski. ???

 

[crewpeter]

From our educated point of view it possibly is short-sighted, and there could be various reasons:

It could simply be lack of understanding, the commonly used but inaccurate term Electric Bikes is misleading, inferring they are electrically driven and not merely assisted.

It could be for perceived safety reasons, since I understand the event is crowded. So they may be worried about performance mismatch.

Or it could simply be a perception of fairness, them feeling that having assistance isn't the same as others making all the effort.

Sometimes it's best to judge in a context not close to us. For example, youngsters often do sponsored swims for charity where we are asked to sponsor with X amount per length of the swimming baths swum.

Would you be happy for the swimmer you sponsored to use one of these propulsion devices?
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On their Get Involved page they state :

"By grouping together riders of a similar ability and speed, with our fastest riders leaving first and our beginners later on, our aim is to try and reduce the risk of congestion and therefore improve your overall ride experience in addition to the safety of this event."

So why not group all the Pedelecs together then? Stick them after the sport riders but before the main group.

I don't think anyone is under the pretence that a Pedelec would be used to hoodwink any sponsors into thinking you'd done the ride solely under your own steam.

That swimming gadget looks great though, where do I get one!

 

[flecc]

So why not group all the Pedelecs together then? Stick them after the sport riders but before the main group.

You know that, but they probably don't. Most people have no idea about pedelecs, so small in scale is our interest in Britain.

I'm quite sure that from BHF's point of view it's a cycling event and their view is that cycling is done by physically pedalling. I'd venture that's the opinion of over 90% of the population, as shown by the accusations of cheating that e-bikers get.

Maybe with education from our administrator Helen, BHF might change their mind.
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[crewpeter]

Thinking about it, scrub my suggestion of grouping us all together. All this does is reinforce the notion that we should be separated from the "regular" cyclists.

 

[timidtom]

J has ridden at least two 40k charity rides on Lucy, her pet Juicy bike. She's completed both rides and received great encouragement from Cycletta, the organisers. She's hoping to ride again in the October Tatton Park run, this time using the eTrike (in spite of falling off it yesterday!) She has a handful of medical conditions but doesn't want them to define her. Fingers crossed that her application is accepted.

 

[flecc]

That's not quite true , if somebody shouted discrimination about a minority group they,d find a law to justify it. (they are being quite pedelecist ???)

I'm afraid not, one can only legally discriminate against humans, not against other biological forms or mechanical devices.

BHF aren't discriminating against any people, only against a type of vehicle propulsion. Anyone can enter with the unpowered vehicle they approve for the event.
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[anotherkiwi]

We should all turn up on ebikes and join in, accompanying all the entrants. There is nothing that they can do to stop that from happening.

Brilliant idea! Create another event that just happens to use the same road on the same day.

Easier they could have created a separate class and sent the pedelecs off down the road first - risk = zero, but they have no imagination.

 

[Chainring]

When I first had my Woosh Santana, I thought I would see how far it would go on one charge. I managed 29 miles, and got home knackered, with life left in the battery. I suppose this is because of my state of health and age, but it shows that you still need to put in physical effort when riding a pedelec, so they are a bit muddled in their thinking. (I didn't know about their Workfare connection). I've learned a few things from this thread....

 

[Artstu]

When someone dies and leaves money from their estate, the BHF are the most pushy charity out there, it's disgusting the way they chase up the donation with whoever is handling the will.

 

[Plasmadaddy]

https://capitaltocoast.org.uk/pages2/

Highly recommend this ride - far far nicer than the BHF version and feel free to ride your e-bikes!