I would suspect it's because this is very much a rich man's park proposal. E-bikes compared to most other bikes are two to three times the price. Most kids (even adult ones) wont be able to afford an E-bike for quite a long while. They are a tiny population, of what's already a small population.
Also, while they have made great strides battery technology is still between mostly crapy to extremely crapy. Unless you have multiple battery packs you can't go out there for a full day, probably not even a half day.
The opening post complained about smelly bikes. If there is a sewage plant there does that really matter? Loudness can be controlled, as loud bikes don't translate into better performance (within reason). The two main reasons for segregating the largest (by far) population of moto riders are small obstacles that can be easily shelved, and yet they are presented an a feature.
Of the 52 some odd signatures most of those are probably sympathy votes. Probably less than ten percent of those people have, or even plan to get an E-bike in the next year or two. That's a tiny number out of a rather large potentially friendly population.
Asking non-riders to sign the petition only exasperates the situation. They are never going to make use of the park. It all illustrates why this isn't truly in the best interested of anyone other than some fat wallet E-bikers.
As was stated above the peninsula really does need a BMX track. The only one we had was marginalized by the FootBall people so that they could have a new hotel. Pump tracks, flow trails, and such also would be supported by a huge population. A kart like track would pull from both the moto community, and the kart community. Incorporating all of these things would create a support base that would actually be able to move something forward. But discriminating against the potently best supporters, as has been illustrated, is a great way to exercise futility.
Thanks for the feedback. I'll see if I can address your issues.
"I would suspect it's because this is very much a rich man's park proposal. E-bikes compared to most other bikes are two to three times the price. Most kids (even adult ones) wont be able to afford an E-bike for quite a long while. They are a tiny population, of what's already a small population."
If you are referring to me personally, I am far from rich. I'm a PCB layout engineer, un-degreed. I bought a house with half the funds coming from my father as a gift from an inheritance he received. With my wife out of work and in school the bills each month are still more than I earn. When my savings (actually some stock options) are gone we're eating beans until she gets a job again or I get a second job.
I don't own an e-bike. Both of my bikes cost $10,000+ each. With tax and everything I probably spent 25K. I like my KLX450R and KTM 690R supermoto. The Alta motors Redshift bike is $14K i think, I can't afford one now either.
The park will rent adult and kid bikes because nobody owns them. I think you could rent a bike for many many hours for 10K.
"Also, while they have made great strides battery technology is still between mostly crapy to extremely crapy. Unless you have multiple battery packs you can't go out there for a full day, probably not even a half day."
I won't get into range issues but with a closed park with only 20 miles of trails and swapping rental bikes or batteries this is the least of my concerns. I would like to see a remote solar powered charging station and picnic type area if that would make sense. Bike owners would have made the decision themselves on range and charging.
"The opening post complained about smelly bikes. If there is a sewage plant there does that really matter? Loudness can be controlled, as loud bikes don't translate into better performance (within reason). The two main reasons for segregating the largest (by far) population of moto riders are small obstacles that can be easily shelved, and yet they are presented an a feature."
Yeah, my bad. I'm trying to use their own ammunition to convince certain environmental factions to allow or support an OHV park. Certain groups and individuals hate dirt bikes, I'm using keywords and concepts like zero emission, environmental restoration , preserving open space, funding for habitat stewardship, etc. I got carried away.
The sewer plant is modernizing and eliminating the odor. Right now it doesn't smell at the front of the plant where the phase one park would be but prepare to gag if you drive around back.
"Of the 52 some odd signatures most of those are probably sympathy votes. Probably less than ten percent of those people have, or even plan to get an E-bike in the next year or two. That's a tiny number out of a rather large potentially friendly population."
I disagrees about the sympathy part. I'll let others speak for themselves. I agree that very few own them, hence the rental fleet. Electric cars are a very tiny fraction too but I think that will change over time.
"Asking non-riders to sign the petition only exasperates the situation. They are never going to make use of the park. It all illustrates why this isn't truly in the best interested of anyone other than some fat wallet E-bikers."
If you are referring to me personally again see answer one above.
"As was stated above the peninsula really does need a BMX track. The only one we had was marginalized by the FootBall people so that they could have a new hotel. Pump tracks, flow trails, and such also would be supported by a huge population. A kart like track would pull from both the moto community, and the kart community. Incorporating all of these things would create a support base that would actually be able to move something forward. But discriminating against the potently best supporters, as has been illustrated, is a great way to exercise futility.[/QUOTE]
I attended the Alviso community park expansion public input meetings. A BMX track was one item listed as an option. I was the only guy to support it for the kids. Nobody else wanted it but there were no kids deciding. The main park here could include a BMX track or any number of other options. When (if) the time comes, attend the public input meetings
Listen, I'm trying to get an OHV park open any way I can. If it has to be electric only, so be it. I wouldn't care if the bikes were powered by farts if that got a park open. I'm trying to work with what we got now.
I'm not happy with hows things are now. When I lived in a trailer park outside Alviso at my Mom's I would sneak out past the dumps and out onto the levees on my little Honda 90 and cruise around enjoying the bay and birds. There was a cool Little water crossing where the levee sank. I could usually make it through without getting my butt wet. Now it's literally a federal offense if you try that.
When I was growing up in Half Moon Bay my friends and I would ride all up and down the coast and in the hills. I would get up early before school and ride out to the beach and back. Everything is fenced off now or cops will show up pronto. They paved some of our dirt trails on the cliffs for "multi-use". Those were our trails, dammit!
I cant just put my kid on a mini-bike and send him out in the fields anywhere. I'm trying to make our chosen sport more accessible and bring some of that back to our own backyard.
I was expecting backlash from environmental groups, not so much from fellow riders. If anyone thinks they can get a park open here without concessions like zero emission only, feel free to propose it.
