eBike Central at the 12th Annual Trail forum in Mooresville NC, Carolina Thread Trail – Keynote Address

We were invited to present at a Forum for over 200 Trail Planners and Builders at the 12th Annual Trail Forum for North Carolina. This was held in Mooresville, NC on Thursday, December 5th, 2019.

Every year the Trail Forum brings together over 200 industry professionals and community leaders to continue the momentum in advancing the regional trail and river network, focused on the Carolina Thread Trail.

The Carolina Thread Trail Master Plan, created by 88 local governments, is the blueprint for a planned network of over 1,600 miles of connected trails. Each county’s Master Plan was carefully created to take the trails through key places and points of interest within their communities.

This year, the Forum brought nine informative sessions and two dynamic keynote speakers. The presenters and exhibitors helped facilitate the expansion of Thread Trail segments.

eBike Central was part of the presentation focused on Emerging Technology = Emerging Trail Users: How EBikes and Electric and Autonomous Vehicles are Affecting Trail Development. We took along eBikes representing each of the Three (3) Classes recognized at the federal level. North Carolina currently recognizes Class 1 models, with the Federal law covering the other two classes for use within NC. In the future, North Carolina will adopt the Three Class Template Law from the People For Bikes organization. 22 States have already adopted this law.

This is a description of the Session we are participating in:
Emerging Technology = Emerging Trail Users: How EBikes and Electric and Autonomous Vehicles are Effecting Trail Development Emerging technologies such as e-bikes, e-scooters, neighborhood electric vehicles, and autonomous vehicles represent a new group of trail users that we must consider for trail design and management. These new modes of trail use introduce challenges such as increasing the speed differential between users on the trail, creating potential trail user group conflicts, and requiring different trail design and amenities. Some trail managers are working to develop trails that incorporate these new modes to provide a trail system for all users, embracing these emerging technologies. This presentation will discuss the unique aspects and challenges to designing for these emerging technologies.

eBike Central at the 12th Annual Trail forum in Mooresville NC, Carolina Thread Trail – Emerging Technologies session audience assembling.

Joe Michel, owner of eBike Central presented to the standing room only group, and educated, presented and discussed all things eBikes. We noted our tight relationship with our Manufacturers including BULLS eBikes, Gazelle eBikes, GoCycle eBikes, Magnum eBikes, TERN eBikes and Riese & Muller eBikes. We also mentioned our close relationship with Bosch eBike Systems.

It was very excited with interest across the entire group. We still have a long way to go in educating this part of the United States on what eBikes are and how they can integrated into Bicycle Advocacy. We talked about how eBike Riders are another source of advocacy. We will keep working hard to promote safer riding for our customers through more Trails, Paths, Greenways and Bike Lanes.

More on the Trail Forum: Forum Program and Agenda

More on the Carolina Thread Trail: https://www.carolinathreadtrail.org/

eBike Central at the 12th Annual Trail forum in Mooresville NC, Carolina Thread Trail – Emerging Technologies audience, left.

eBike Central at the 12th Annual Trail forum in Mooresville NC, Carolina Thread Trail – Emerging Technologies audience, right.

eBike Central at the 12th Annual Trail forum in Mooresville NC, Carolina Thread Trail – Vendors in hallway outside to help Plan, Build and Manage Trails. Very nice!

eBike Central at the 12th Annual Trail forum in Mooresville NC, Carolina Thread Trail – Peace on Earth display, nice message!