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emtb & amtb
Learn more about the design of these bikes, the different capabilities and rules surrounding usage of eMTB and aMTB bikes on trails.
emtb
Kimberley’s trail network follows current e-bike industry standards for the 3-class system which is
the same for most trail systems in BC and on BC Rec Sites and Trails as well as BC Parks. Some
areas are restricted to ebikes under certain land use restrictions. The Electrify the Mountains
project will remain consistent with the remainder of Kimberley and the surrounding area’s ebike
policies allowing only Class 1 ebikes.
Ebike descriptions and standards from the Province of BC
Allowed on Kimberley Trails
Class 1 500 W 32 km/h Pedal-assist only (no throttle)
Class 1 e-bikes are not considered motor vehicles under the Park, Conservancy and Recreation Area (PCRA) regulations and have the following capabilities:
● Motor only provides assistance if rider is pedaling (pedal assist)
● Has a motor with a continuous maximum output of 500 watts
● May have a deactivated throttle actuator so that the motor is only controlled by pedal assist
Not allowed on Kimberley trails
Class 2 500W 32 km/h Pedal assist and/or throttle actuated
Class 2 e-bikes are considered as motor vehicles under the PCRA regulations and have the following capabilities:
● Motor is capable of providing assistance in part or exclusively by throttle (throttle actuated)
● Has a motor with a continuous maximum output of 500 watts
● Motor must stop providing assistance once speeds reach or exceed 32km/hr
Class 3 500W 45 km/h Pedal assist and/or throttle actuated
Class 3 e-bikes are considered as motor vehicles under the PCRA regulations and have the
following capabilities:
● Motor is capable of providing assistance in part or exclusively by throttle (throttle
actuated)
● Has a motor with a continuous maximum output of 500 watts
● Motor must stop providing assistance once speeds reach or exceed 45km/hr
amtb
Adaptive Mountain Bikes (aMTB): Adaptive Mountain bikes are three and four wheeled cycles that provide a broad range of riders who may not otherwise ride a standard mountain bike due to physical, intellectual, neurological and sensory abilities.
Adaptive mountain bikes (aMTB) are are not considered motor vehicles and may have:
● Three or four wheels
● Hand or foot cranks able to propel the aMTB without electric power
● A motor with a maximum output of 800 watts
● Either pedal assist or throttle actuated motor control
The Kootenay Adaptive Sport Association (KASA) has developed a comprehensive set of trail standards to assist in the planning, design, and construction of safe and fun adaptive mountain bike trails based on the following:
● Adaptive mountain bikes accelerate slower, decelerate faster, are wider, longer and heavier than two wheeled bikes
● Some models require the rider to take their hand(s) off the handlebars in order to pedal with the hand cranks. As such, a aMTB rider cannot easily pedal while navigating a turn, and requires appropriate (trail specific) entry speed to corners, berms and features to allow enough momentum to carry the bike through
● Sight lines for adaptive riders are approximately 1.0m (3 ft) above the tread surface.This requires consideration in trail sections of significant undulation, high vegetation, intersections, etc..
● Adaptive mountain bikes are primarily 3-wheeled in nature, and prone to tipping when off-camber at low speeds. aMTB riders will be strapped into their equipment, so any tipping of the bike will also tip the rider, which can be dangerous.
Hazards + Ride Arounds: The most pressing consequence for aMTB is tipping over in areas of exposure, which could result in aMTB (and rider) rolling down an embankment. This also is applicable to raised, off-camber features. It is recommended to provide a less consequential fall zone below any such feature and aMTB tread width ride arounds for any feature requiring a specific skill set or momentum to clear (i.e. gap jumps, non-rollable jumps with large lips), narrow wooden stunts, or off-camber raised features.
-Kootenay Adaptive Sports Association
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