Its up to the trail builders and maintainers what its designed to accommodate. Full stop.
This is one of those funny debates that have layers.
Grant that there are legitimate considerations that bicycle riders have about electric bicycles on trails. Similar concerns, perhaps, to the concerns raised about allowing gas motorized bikes in these trails.
Horse riders have been making the same complaints about bicycles for decades: that bicycles increase rutting, erosion, and that they’re dangerous for people they share the trail with. Mountain bikes in particular have been a target of these complaints because they often ride on trails that normal bicyclists (but not horse riders) would avoid.
And, in turn, horse riders sometimes get push-back from pedestrians, who complain about manure and safety.
There’s always someone bitching (justifiably or not) about someone else’s conveyance. Motorcyclists are universally loathed, but they’re not much worse than electric trail bikes, which are not much worse than electric mountain bikes, which are not much worse than mountain bikes… it really seems to boil down only to whether or not it’s your hobby.
Equestrians really should have to use those horse poop bags. Seriously–we have to clean up a small dog poop and they don’t have to clean up a gigantic pile of horse shit?
To be fair, poop from herbivores isn’t as much of a health issue as poop from omnivores and carnivores. And it also doesn’t smell as bad, IMO.
Sure, but do you want to ride through it or step in it? Either way, you’re dealing with shit. Everyone should have to clean up after themselves. Even humans are supposed to pack out their own shit when they go hiking or camping.
Out the three options mentioned so far, horse would bother me the least. Depending on the situation it might not bother me at all, honestly.
You city folk are too sensitive.
That wasn’t the question.
You’re asking me if I want to step in horse poop? Sorry, I thought that was rhetorical. Of course not, but as I just explained, I also don’t find it offensive. It’s just not a big deal, unless I’m wearing nice shoes and pants.
And it also doesn’t smell as bad, IMO
good for you, keep it to yourself.
What? Most people seem to agree that horse poop isn’t nearly as offensive as dog. In my experience, the only people who disagree are from the suburbs and have never been around horses or horse poop.
horse shit and cow shit do smell. fuck you, I grew up around stockyards, acting like it doesn’t smell is ridiculous.
I never said it doesn’t smell. I said the smell isn’t offensive.
It’s not as offensive, but it is still offensive.
Huge difference in time to fall apart/be absorbed into the earth.
They are, they’re VERY and annoyingly loud. All other options are almost silent.
If you think those are bad for trails, you should see what ATVs do!
We have some beautiful rail trails that have become decimated by ATVs, so cycling on them isn’t even possible unless you like the danger and frustration.
and the noise issues from quads/motor bikes - they’re fucking deafening
