The local mountain biking club has warned members that using eBikes in the ACT's nature parks - such as Stromlo - could risk fines.
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The government is currently reviewing its Canberra Nature Park Management Plan 1999, which made motorised vehicles illegal in ACT parks.
The reviewed plan will propose that motorised vehicles remain illegal, a move welcomed by the Canberra Off Road Cyclists, who have recently had reports of damage on its volunteer-built trails.
"Our major concern is the damage occurring to the trails, it is very similar to what a trail [motor] bike would do in terms of damage," president Brendon Mulloy said. "Our trails aren't built for that."
But the government's failure to distinguish between different kinds of eBikes has disappointed some riders, who say that "pedal assist" eBikes cannot be compared to "throttle" versions.
"I have a pedal assist, you can't spin the wheels and it does no more damage than a standard mountain bike," one rider commented on the Canberra Off Road Cyclists Facebook page.
"This decision is hugely disappointing. I'm overweight and not as fit as some, but riding a pedal assist eBike allows me to get out and ride much more than I otherwise would and as a result I'm getting fitter and healthier."
Mr Mulloy agreed there were arguments for the use of eBikes, and suggested discussions with the government on eBike use on fire trails - as opposed to dedicated single-tracks - was a possibility.
An Environment and Planning Directorate spokeswoman said that option - and the impact of different types of eBikes - would be considered as part of the review.
Penalties for using an eBike in the parks can include a maximum fine of $3,000 from a court or an on-the-spot fine of $600. This increases to a maximum fine of $7,500 or on-the-spot fine of $1,500 if the e-bike is used in a resource protection area, the spokeswoman said.
What's the difference?
An "eBike" is any bicycle with an attached electric motor.
A "throttle" electric bike is one where a twist of a handlebar or a push of a button will surge power to the back wheel, like a motorbike.
An eBike with "pedal assist" technology only contributes power when the rider is pedalling. There are often different levels of assistance - either automatic or manual - for situations such as riding uphill.
Regardless of the technology installed on the electric bike, different brands and models have varying levels of power and top speeds.
