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by Erick Wikum

In recent years, pedal power received a literal boost with the advent of e-bikes, which provide assistance when a rider is pedaling. While e-bikes appeal to a wide range of people for a variety of reasons, e-bikes provide an especially important benefit for those who, due to age, disability or fitness level, are unable to ride traditional bicycles. E-bikes can allow these individuals to regain mobility and fitness, all while enjoying reduced stress and other mental health benefits.

Last year, Ohio passed laws covering the usage of e-bikes. Ohio categorizes e-bikes into three classes. Classes 1 and 2, equipped with a motor or a throttle-activated motor, respectively, cease to provide assistance when the bike reaches 20mph. Class 3 is similar to Class 1, but has a specification of 28mph. Ohio permits e-bike use on trails unless prohibited by the trail manager. Since the manager of the Little Miami Scenic Trail (the Ohio Department of Natural Resources) has not prohibited e-bikes, then class 1 and 2 e-bikes are currently permitted there. Class 3 e-bikes, which can exceed the trail speed limit of 20mph, are not permitted.

While bicycling involves some inherent dangers, riding an e-bike can be especially dangerous. A recent analysis conducted by researchers representing various New York City medical centers found that “while population-based rates of pedal bicycle-related injuries have been decreasing, particularly among children, reported e-bike injuries have been increasing dramatically particularly among older persons” (see BMJ article).
A typical speed for a recreational cyclist is between 10 and 14mph. An additional 6mph from 14 to 20 may not sound like much, but the higher speed impacts stopping distance and the severity of crashes.

Here are four important tips for riding an e-bike safely:
1. Always wear a helmet!
2. Inspect your e-bike to ensure it is in good working condition before each ride. Be sure to verify that your brakes work.
3. Familiarize yourself with your e-bike’s handling and gain confidence at slower speeds before graduating to faster speeds. Practice braking. Hone your e-bike riding skills in a quiet setting before braving a busier environment.
4. Come to a complete stop at intersections and wait until it is clear and safe to proceed. To the extent that your e-bike is heavier than a standard bicycle, your e-bike may also be somewhat slow to accelerate, so allow plenty of leeway to cars.

Riding an e-bike can be a great way to enjoy the Little Miami Scenic Trail. And yet, due to heightened potential for serious mishaps, e-bikes need to be treated with healthy respect. An electrifying e-bike experience should include fresh air and views of nature, but not ambulance lights.

August 2020

by Mandy Wolski, Park Naturalist

Ohio is home to many native pollinators, including roughly 3000 moth species, 500 bee species, and 140 butterfly species. Hummingbirds, wasps, beetles and flies are important pollinators in Ohio as well.

Native flowers, shrubs and trees are best for our pollinators. Ohio’s native plants and insects have a strong connection because they have co-evolved together. This means that our insects naturally seek out native plants knowing that they will provide the best nectar and larval food sources. For instance, the zebra swallowtail (pictured) must have pawpaw trees to feed on as caterpillars. That same pawpaw tree relies on native flies and beetles for pollination.

Another advantage of planting natives is that they are low maintenance, which makes them perfect for lazy gardeners like myself! Our park staff will only need to mow these native patches once a year instead of every week. Natives will survive our changing seasons, will thrive in our soils, and will self-seed every fall making replanting every spring a thing of the past.

What we do for one pollinator species helps all of Ohio’s pollinators! If you decide to plant milkweed to help the monarch caterpillars, you will also be providing a beneficial nectar source for bees and butterflies. In nature, all things are connected!

Editor's Note: The Friends will soon be planting two pollinator gardens along the trail, one to be located at about mile marker 40 and another further north around Oregonia.

June 2020

by Tom McCray

It was June 1^st 2019 and a beautiful early summer day. I was on my favorite ride heading south and rolling into Morrow. I always stop at the picnic shelter to take a break and eat a few snacks and as I coasted in, I saw the bike leaning up against a picnic table in the shelter. It was obvious that it was the bike of a long-distance traveler. It had all the telltale signs: the panniers on the rear, multiple water bottles, and a few other mounted bags and racks.

I said hello and asked him where he was headed. He said he was headed east, back to Harpers Ferry. I ask where he’s been and he said he’s been “crisscrossing the United States.” The next logical question was how far have you gone? He stepped back to his bike and pressed a few buttons on his cycle computer and said “15,400 miles.” My eyebrows raised and my jaw dropped. He said he had been out for about a year at that point and was finishing his trip and heading home.

His name was John and as we talked more and I examined his bike I saw that this was not the normal tourist bike you see on the trail every now and then. This one was different, a lot different. First off, he had two half-gallon water coolers strapped to his front forks, far more than what the typical tourist carries in these parts. He was using 2-inch-wide tires and told me that at one point while crossing the Rockies, he had 3-inch-wide tires mounted due to the rough conditions. The point here is that he was not restricting himself to paved roads. He had been off road onto trails with and without pavement quite a bit as he travelled the country.

His bike was a Surly Troll, described on the Surly website as a “highly-versatile, dirt road expedition touring bike.” He had opted for a Rohloff hub in lieu of the typical derailleur and freewheel system. The Rohloff is a rear hub having an all-internal gearing system with 14 evenly spaced gears. It is much more durable and reliable than a derailleur, especially in long-distance off-road conditions. This bike was built to go the distance in places I could only imagine.

Regardless of the bike, it’s the person who makes the adventure. John was doing what I am sure most of us will only dream about. He had an incredible case of wanderlust and I was glad to have crossed paths with him as he was passing through.

June 2020

by Erick Wikum

With warm weather and people looking for a healthy outlet amid the pandemic, the Little Miami Scenic Trail is experiencing heavy usage these days. With the need for social distancing, carefully choosing where and when you use the trail is highly recommended. So too is exercising care when meeting or passing other trail users.

Consider the rules and etiquette that cars traveling a two-lane road must follow to ensure safe passing. A car that would pass another must do so in a passing zone (with clear visibility) and must ensure that the opposite lane is clear, both ahead and behind. What should a driver do if these conditions are not met? The driver should cool his or her heels and wait until it is safe to pass.

Similar rules and etiquette apply to you as a user of the Little Miami Scenic Trail. While the trail might possibly accommodate more than two people abreast, the most courteous and safe configuration involves single file traffic in each direction. Is it okay for you to bike, walk or run side-by-side with a friend? It is, but when doing so, stay entirely on your side of the trail, be attentive, and be prepared to go single file in heavily trafficked areas. Pass others only when the path is fully clear, checking both behind and ahead. Call out “on your left” to alert others of your presence. Provide a wide berth while passing; move to the left early, stay far left when passing and return to the right only when well past the other users. And if there is any question as to whether or not the path is clear and it is safe to pass, cool your heels. Slow your pace, lay up behind the users who you want to pass, and wait. Road crossings are inherently dangerous and not the place to pass other trail users. Wait until you (and they) are safely across before looking for an opportunity to pass.

While the pandemic may be with us for quite some time, “this too shall pass.” Meanwhile, when you pass others you encounter on the Little Miami Scenic Trail, be smart and be safe. Enjoy a bit of exercise and a bit of nature and attend to your physical and mental health, but do so safely.

July 2020