Burning man's ebike rules

Bikes, trikes, personal mobility and getting to/from the event - this is the place to discuss general transportation issues.
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Super7800
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2022 5:13 pm
Burning Since: 2022
Camp Name: Sharkys bar and lounge

Burning man's ebike rules

Post by Super7800 » Tue Jul 25, 2023 6:05 pm

EDIT: just saw the other thread in this topic. Oops.

So burning man just announced new rules for ebikes, or always had them, idk, limiting them by speed and motor rating. Its a good start, but I don't think it'll help much, if at all since even underpowered e bikes can pickup speed. Imo just get a radar gun and start kicking people from the event, and asking them not to come back. A camp member of mine last year was t boned by one and was seriously injured. However this doesn't really account for custom bikes made by people who aren't a-holes running people over.

My bike I take every year uses a 5kw rms 8kw peak motor. Overkill to the extreme, because I'm an electrical engineer and love power. However it's software governed (and tuned) to 8mph. That means that no matter how hard I press go it will not go past 8mph. It just won't. Period. I keep it at higher than 5 since some people pedal faster than 5mph. Will I be ok continuing this setup this year with the greeters, or do I have to literally smuggle in the rear hub wheel? Looks like the rules where in place in 2022. Looks like I just got lucky since I bring it in disassembled. Making a new bike is nonoption, as I kinda just heard the rules, maybe abit late, and my bike is not stock in how it looks (they don't make 750watt hubs that fit). Ive taken this bike for a few years without issue, but it sounds like this year its going to be very enforced. I believe there is even an impound lot this year?

Basically just curious if software governing is adequate. Probably impossible to argue that with a greeter.

EDIT: just saw the other thread in this topic. Oops.

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