Mickelson Trail E-Bike a Misdemeanor

Larry Rhoden will never be elected to another pubic office again. Way to go, Larry you're officially an idiot.

The one issue "SD tourism at all costs" now hate you. The AARP crowd now hate you. People with disabilities that can't ride traditional bikes now hate you. Pretty much all bicyclists hate you (except for the "I wear men's bicycling spandex bibs" individuals). Bicycle shops in Deadwood, Custer and along the Trail hate you. In fact, all small business owners in the Black Hills pretty much hate you.

Tourists that planned cycling trips to the Black Hills are canceling in droves.

Way to not understand the issue. Oh and by the way, vote out so-called short-lived Senator Taffy Howard for sponsoring the bill, and Representative Tim [Goodwin In The House] Goodwin as well for supporting it.

Taffy Howard Cite your sources. You are mis-informed, as usual! You need to find the "root cause" of the issue first, then make a judgment based on your years of experience on the subject. You have and did neither. I read that one day you were walking on the Mickelson and were "startled by someone coming up behind you", and that's the basis for your decision to author this bill. Man, you really stepped in it this time. Your obviously in an argument that's "over your pay-grade".

So now that the deed is done, how are you going to "police" the trail now that it will be a misdemeanor to ride a Class 2 or 3 e-bike there? Hire "Bike Cops" to patrol? Oh yeah, taxpayers hate you too.

Edit: E-bikes were my first foray into electric transportation and/or recreation. I've rode nearly the entire the Mick with my pedal bike. Then I tried an e-bike. Rode the entire trail twice.  I also started riding it to work occasionally.  Both are fulfilling, wonderful and good exercise. 

My question is this: If you are a conservationist or activist, and support green initiatives and sustainable transport (and just plain fun!), but just don't like e-bikes on the Mickelson -- then you just stepped in it.

My favorite description of e-biking to traditional cyclists is "I get the same exercise as you do, I just go twice as far!"..

David A. Shogren