The Current State of eMTB Trail Access in the USA

[JimBo]

The Current⚡️State of Electric Mountain Bike Trail Access in the US

Listen to this episode from Singletracks Mountain Bike Podcast on Spotify. Rachel Fussell is the electric mountain bike Policy and Program Manager at People for Bikes. The group’s stated mission is to change the world through bikes by focusing on empowering cities, creating connections, and...

open.spotify.com

 

[Svenn]

Slight majority of those surveyed support e-bikes on Twin Buttes trails

Results compiled from a two-year trial study about whether to allow e-bikes on trails at Twin Buttes reveal a majority of residents are in favor of the popular new bikes. After the survey period ended...

www.durangoherald.com

 

[EMTBNewbie]

Refreshing to know their are people in positions who see class 1 as regular bicycles and can advocate for them with facts. She was extremely well spoken, thanks for the post.

 

[Kyle_AZ_eMTB]

My local US Forrest Service have gone and posted no EBIKE and no Pedal Assist signs at every trailhead. I'm an advocate for Class1's to be classified, and treated as bikes like our BLM and interior departments do. The federal government needs to consider the realities of the sport, and not listen to the gripes and complaints from those whom are not willing to see the factual evidence for Class 1's to be included in the "bike" category.

This has heightened the need for a cultural awakening about Class 1 bikes, and especially for those who need the assist because of disabilities. There is great discrimination building about Class 1 bikes and those who ride them.

Though I may look healthy to some, I'm dealing with post-Covid heart issues, and waiting on a new replacement and meniscus transplant. My surgeon recommended riding as I can't hike, let alone walk for exercise. Biking an analogue bike causes my knee to swell and makes it difficult to walk in the following days, the assist has made all the difference in not needed recovery time before my next ride.

 

[mastakilla]

I think they may have a serious problem letting them on officially. Soon there will be ready availability of these bikes. The manufacturers will meet the demand when there is money to made. I just cant see them officially letting them into places like sedona which are packed with hikers at every turn. Bikes work in these places cause there arent too many of them since mountain biking is hard work without a motor. If they let them into these places there will literally be swarms of riders tearing around on ebikes and that just is not gonna fly. I see them as being banned and unenforced for a while and at some point, enforced when the numbers become too great.

 

[EMTBNewbie]

Why would it be a serious problem, because more people want to enjoy the outdoors? Crazy that a sport got a way to greatly improve its base and outreach and there is controversy behind it. A class 1 and traditional bicycle are essentially identical with the exception of an electric motor to help people pedal, which generally benefits those on uphill climbs. Other then that, they use often identical/interchangeable gears/brakes/drive trains etc. And as mentioned in the podcasts, USFS and university studies shows that the speed (mph) difference they generally found between analog and class 1 ebikes was more dependent on the experience of the rider, not the bicycle they were on. Which makes sense, on my local trails, the fastest guys who do the loops and trails at overall faster times, sometimes MUCH faster, are those experienced guys on regular bicycles, as they are obviously in a better physical shape and have experience to ride faster then newer riders on class1 bicycles who like the assistance in the most difficult part of mountain biking, uphill climbs. Speed is also greatly made up on the downhill portions, where often risk can become greater. Those experienced guys on analog bikes FLY on the downhills while a newer rider on a class 1 bike rides the brakes and even walks portions other experienced riders fly through. I know guys who can rider a common trail often 20-40% faster then most newer riders I know on pedal assist bicycles. Heck when I was much more regular on my analog bicycle, I finished sections and trails faster then I have yet to complete on pedal assist bicycle.

Obviously easier access can mean more visitors to areas, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Look at some national parks, compared to as recent as in the 90’s their visitation numbers have gone up MILLIONS of people per year, due to people wanting to get outdoors. Yet national parks have allowed class1 ebikes on all parts regular bicycles are allowed. If an area becomes to Saturated with visitors, then there are ways to deal with that; be it reservations or expanding areas within the park to spread out the visitors.

I can’t imagine if someone invented electric step assist hiking/running shoes, which allow seniors/less physically fit people to start hiking and running again, governments saying, nope, get fit or get out.

 

[Orangie]

I want to ride DuPont state forest in North Carolina, but I heard they are being jackasses about ebikes. I feel this is discrimination towards older/handicap riders.

 

[Rusty]

The BLM has been a pain in the butt for mountainbikers & motorcycle trail riders since the early 70's. I hope as many of the ones that were closely involved with the Sierra Clab and similar retire things might start to get sorted in a bit more even handed manner.

 

[RustyIron]

The BLM has been a pain in the butt for mountainbikers & motorcycle trail riders since the early 70's. I hope as many of the ones that were closely involved with the Sierra Clab and similar retire things might start to get sorted in a bit more even handed manner.

Hey, Rusty. I started writing an emotion-filled response supporting what you said. Then I thought maybe it was the caffeine talking, and I should dial it back a bit. So I deleted it and started over.

It seems that whatever I like, eventually someone will come along and tell me that I can't do it. The people most interested in wrecking my good times are the suits sitting in high-rise buildings, and the woke city folks who would shrivel up and die if they ever found themselves without an asphalt road to take them to the nearest fast-food outlet. Motorcycles, dune buggies, guns, shooting, rock climbing, mountain bikes, eMTB's... they don't want us going into the wilderness to have fun, but they don't ever leave the sanctuary of their little cracker boxes. That's why all of us outdoorsmen need to stick together, regardless of what we like. If we don't, they'll pick us off, one by one. And that's why I don't abide by their arbitrary rules. I could, but they'll just make up new rules next year.

 

[2WheelsNot4]

and the woke city folks

Er... aren't most posting on here 'city folks' ?

Are you sure you're pitching this to the correct target audience ?

 

[RustyIron]

Er... aren't most posting on here 'city folks' ?

Are you sure you're pitching this to the correct target audience ?

Perhaps with a little bit of encouragement, the braver among them might venture outside their dimly lit boxes, experience sunshine for the first time, and cast aside their cloak of wokefulness.

 

[2WheelsNot4]

Perhaps with a little bit of encouragement, the braver among them might venture outside their dimly lit boxes, experience sunshine for the first time, and cast aside their cloak of wokefulness.

I won't go out before midday, to great a risk Ill turn to ash.

 

[Rusty]

Hey, Rusty. I started writing an emotion-filled response supporting what you said. Then I thought maybe it was the caffeine talking, and I should dial it back a bit. So I deleted it and started over.

The thing that stands out in Cali, and always did is that some of the top people in the SC & BLM don't even want hikers - they just want land left 'natural'. The problem with that is that when land is left like that, fires are a hell of a lot worse. One of the guys we sponsored at MX was a Fire Jumper and he used to hate working the California region - much preferred working where they had sensible rules.

 

[Kyle_AZ_eMTB]

There are lots of irrational and selfish thinking when it comes to trail usage or lack thereof. One of our local trails in USFS has signs posted that they are considering closing access to bikers (analog) because hikers complained they go too fast. My proposal to them is suggest (read - threaten) a 3 day cycle: Day1 - hikers, Day 2 - bikers, and Day 3 - equestrian. I'm sure this would keep them quiet immediately to have their use threatened. Crazy part is this is USFS response and thinking. Frustrates me to no end. How quickly they forget they are public servants.

 

[10splaya]

It would be nice if more parks were open to e bikes...other than being faster what are the issues these people/parks have with e bikes?

 

[Gyre]

It would be nice if more parks were open to e bikes...other than being faster what are the issues these people/parks have with e bikes?

Perception. One bad encounter with something new and out comes the broad brush.

 

[Rod B.]

I had a bad accident and now have a permanent disability in my right ankle/foot which is why I now ride an eBike. I live in Orange County, California which is extremely restrictive towards eMTB access to trails and very anti eBike in general. I've attached the following information below for those of you who ride an eBike on California or Orange County trails and have a disability whether medical or physical. The below information is invaluable and I hope you find it useful.

I'm greeted at my local Orange County parks and California State Parks trails by trails signs such as these. Note that every contingency is covered by the signs except for disabled eBike access.

For those with any disability, whether medical, physical, etc., here's what they don't tell you. Under the Americans with Disability Act, eBikes are considered an "OPMD", (Other Person's Mobility Device) and allowed on all trails in which a traditional bicycle is allowed.

In 2010, the Americans with Disability Act recognized that future non-traditional powered mobility device technology was emerging and not presently covered under the Americans with Disability Act. The American's with Disability Act was amended by the legislators to include a new category of "Powered" mobility device, identified in the act as a "Other Persons Mobility Device". The Americans with Disability Act defines an OPMD as follows:

OPDMD is defined in the new rules as "any mobility device powered by batteries, fuel, or other engines… that is used by individuals with mobility disabilities for the purpose of locomotion, including golf cars, electronic personal assistance mobility devices… such as the Segway® PT, or any mobility device designed to operate in areas without defined pedestrian routes, but that is not a wheelchair"

ADA Requirements: Wheelchairs, Mobility Aids, and Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices

The ADA Home Page provides access to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations for businesses and State and local governments, technical assistance materials, ADA Standards for Accessible Design, links to Federal agencies with ADA responsibilities and information, updates on new ADA...

www.ada.gov

Per the amendment anybody with a disability can operate their "OPMD" i.e. eBike on trails where a non-motorized bicycle is allowed. Orange County Parks and California State Parks recognize the "OPMD" amendment to the American's with Disability Act and specifically state so in their respective park policy's. HOWEVER, neither agency posts this fact at trailheads or makes any attempt to let persons with disabilities know they can ride their eBikes on trails. In my opinion, this is a violation of Americans with Disability Act.

I've attached links to both Orange County Park and California State Park official policy on "OPMD" access to trails.

California State Parks Policy on disabled OPMD eBike access to trails:

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30653

Orange County Parks Policy on disabled OPMD eBike access to trails:

ADA Mobility Devices | OC Parks

ADA Mobility Device Rules Effective March 15, 2011 Introduction On September 15, 2010 the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) revised rules to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) effective March 15, 2011. These rules allow a mobilty device defined by DOJ rules as a wheelchair to be...

www.ocparks.com

Do not expect any park or state employee to know or fully understand their agency's policy. I know this from personal experience and have had to correct agency employees. Download as a PDF and keep on your cell phone each agency's policy in the above links. They may come in handy when dealing with an uninformed employee or ranger.

Under the Americans with Disability Act, you are not required to explain to anybody the nature of your disability. This is considered private information. If an employee inquires into the nature of your disability, they are in the wrong. However, do you want to ride a bike or stand there and argue. I went to my doctor and asked him to write a letter on official letterhead which states I have a disability as covered under the American's with Disability Act and utilize my eBike as a Other Persons Mobility Device. I keep the letter in my riding pack. I've yet to produce it as proof of disability, but it's there when ready.

Note that each agency requires proof of your disability. Accepted proof is a disabled persons placard. However, not everybody has a placard. I refuse to get one. Each agency has set forth that a verbal proof of disability is acceptable.

State of California Policy:
All users of OPDMD must provide credible assurance that the mobility device is required because of their disability. Credible assurance is a valid State-issued, disability parking placard or card, or other State-issued proof of disability issued to the person who will be using the OPDMD. However, if a person does not have a state-issued placard or card, employees must accept as credible assurance a verbal representation, not contradicted by observable fact, that the OPDMD is being used for a mobility disability. The Department will also accept the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Access Pass as credible assurance.

Orange County Parks Policy:
(c)(1) Inquiry about disability: A public entity shall not ask an individual using a wheelchair or other power-driven mobility device questions about the nature and extent of the individual´s disability.

(2) Inquiry into use of other power-driven mobility device: A public entity may ask a person using an other power-driven mobility device to provide a credible assurance that the mobility device is required because of the person´s disability. A public entity that permits the use of an other power-driven mobility device by an individual with a mobility disability shall accept the presentation of a valid, State-issued, disability parking placard or card, or other State-issued proof of disability, as a credible assurance that the use of the other power-driven mobility device is for the individual’s mobility disability. In lieu of a valid, State-issued disability parking placard or card, or State-issued proof of disability, a public entity shall accept as a credible assurance a verbal representation, not contradicted by observable fact, that the other power-driven mobility device is being used for a mobility disability.

Orange County Parks OPMD Definition:
Electric-powered mobility devices include: Any mobility device powered by batteries, including multiple passenger carts (three or four wheels), electronic personal assistance mobility devices (EPAMDs - such as the Segway PT), battery-powered bikes (two or three wheels) and single passenger scooters (three or four wheels).

Lastly, I will leave you with this gem.....This poster was produced by the United States Department of Agriculture which sets policy in all National Forests, including eBike access to non-motorized trails. I especially like the part where it infers that if I want to access trails, I need to use a pedal bike and "Do The Legwork." I only wish I could....

 

[Rusty]

I had a bad accident and now have a permanent disability in my right ankle/foot which is why I now ride an eBike. I live in Orange County, California which is extremely restrictive towards eMTB access to trails and very anti eBike in general. I've attached the following information below for those of you who ride an eBike on California or Orange County trails and have a disability whether medical or physical. The below information is invaluable and I hope you find it useful.

Orange County was decades ago very friendly for all sorts of off-road activities - bikes, cars, motorcycles dune buggies etc. Back in the 70's we used to ride our bicycles for training on all sorts of State Park Trails. Was no signs forbidding bicycles for years, then in the mid-late 70's there was a change in management at the BLM and the nutters of the sierra club started to really gain influence. Suddenly, not only did No Motorcycle, No Off Road Vehicles and No Bicycle signs start appearing, but many long established trails (from 1800's) had signs up ... No Horses and No Hikers - in other words, making them inaccessible to all areas. It took dozens if not hundreds of court actions to reopen some.
Sadly, the Us vs Them mentality continued to grow in Californias beauracracy.

 

[RustyIron]

It looks like LCWP had a surplus in their signage budget this year.

 

[Rod B.]

It looks like LCWP had a surplus in their signage budget this year.
[/QUOTE

It looks like LCWP had a surplus in their signage budget this year.

I think the rock group "Five Man Band" was on to something when they sang their song "Signs."

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

 

[Brianjonesphoto]

View attachment 83743

This poster alone should cause a ruckus. The wording "Do the legwork" implies an elitist and discriminatory attitude that ebike riders are simply lazy and incapable. Not to mention that they are using class 2 bikes to represent everything.

 

[Rod B.]

This poster alone should cause a ruckus. The wording "Do the legwork" implies an elitist and discriminatory attitude that ebike riders are simply lazy and incapable. Not to mention that they are using class 2 bikes to represent everything.

Well, if you like that poster, here are two other gems......

I like this one. Especially the ebike rider's shit eating grin as he's happily riding along with his dirt bike riding buddies. The grin is because he's thinking "I can't believe I'm doing this poster, but I'm getting paid, the hell with it"

As for me personally, I know that when I ride my fattie, I absolutely love love riding on dirt roads with my dirt bike riding friends and other high speed vehicles.

Not to be outdone by the poster above.....Some riders like to use bells on their bikes to warn hikers. Negative Ghost Rider....I like to yell loudly "Vroom Vroom" as I whip by the hikers at mind blurring speeds. RustyIron can confirm that I like to yell Vroom Vroom.....

Like in the poster, I also like to ride with a 170mm stem and BMX 50mm riser bars, because retro is the shiznit on all fashionable high speed fatty eBikes that go Vroom Vroom.

All kidding aside....

This is the mindset of those in power and who set eBike policy. This is the state of eBike riding in California.

 

[RustyIron]

I think the rock group "Five Man Band" was on to something when they sang their song "Signs."

"If God was here he'd tell it to your face,
'Man, you're some kind of sinner!'"

This morning I was rolling Amish Style in that place with all the signs. Up at the top was Roger Ranger, so my friend and I stopped to chat. I asked specifically about the closure of the lower half of Emerald Canyon. He knew nothing of it. And off we rode...

Eventually we came to the top of Old Emerald. There was some kind of sign, but I didn't stop to read it because I didn't want to disrupt my flow. When we dropped into Emerald Canyon proper, where there was a sign and caution tape indicating the trail was closed. So I tucked my hair up under my hat, and you can guess what we did next.

 

[Rod B.]

"If God was here he'd tell it to your face,
'Man, you're some kind of sinner!'"

This morning I was rolling Amish Style in that place with all the signs. Up at the top was Roger Ranger, so my friend and I stopped to chat. I asked specifically about the closure of the lower half of Emerald Canyon. He knew nothing of it. And off we rode...

Eventually we came to the top of Old Emerald. There was some kind of sign, but I didn't stop to read it because I didn't want to disrupt my flow. When we dropped into Emerald Canyon proper, where there was a sign and caution tape indicating the trail was closed. So I tucked my hair up under my hat, and you can guess what we did next.

I did that 42 mile ride yesterday (Rise with range extender). I decided I wanted to go somewhere deep into the heart of the back country where park rangers fear to tread. I climbed up past badger pass and up to the top of N. Bell Spur near the Ortega Hot Springs and the San Juan Trail trailhead. I'd describe the geographical area as somewhere between BFE and "Livingston I presume."

I'm minding my own damn business when I come around a corner near the summit and what do I see? Two rangers in a broke down jeep blocking the entire fire road. I decide to play it off. I ride up and say, "Hi, do you need help?" One of the rangers immediately gives me the "eBike Look", by looking at me and then down at my bottom bracket. Based on the ranger's keen powers of observation, he immediately made me aware that I was riding an eBike by pointing a finger at the offending motor.

Much like Marlon Brando in the movie the "Wild Ones" where his outlaw motorcycle gang terrorized the town of Carbonville, I was advised that I was not allowed on trails with my eBike, where I could potentially rape and pillage the hiking community.

Fortunately for me, I'd posted that very morning on eMTB forum about the rules for handicap access to trails on eBikes. Everything was fresh in my mind. So....I let er rip potato chip. Ten minutes later, I ended my soliloquy on eBikes with a few "This is straight bullshitisms." The ranger getting the last word in said "Well, if somebody rides with you and they aren't disabled and have an eBike, then they can't ride on the trails." This was useful info I thought. I need to tell Rusty so he'll stay hell out of Emerald Canyon.

 

[RustyIron]

I need to tell Rusty so he'll stay hell out of Emerald Canyon.

Careful not to violate my civil rights, brah!

If you will re-read the rules from the DOJ and OC Parks, you'll see that insufficient stamina is reason enough to use a mobility device. But that doesn't matter, because no one is allowed to inquire about my condition. You're allowed to observe me to make assumptions, but you're not allowed to make conclusions because there may be extenuating conditions that are not readily observable.

Of course Emerald Canyon doesn't matter. It's closed because the bulldozers tore up a mile of trail so they could build a fire break. No worries, though. Enough rebels are poaching the closed area, that the trail is now reestablished, rideable, and in good condition.

 

[Gyre]

Here's the next step in the story:

Judge orders Park Service to conduct environmental study on e-MTB impact

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — A District of Columbia federal judge ruled that the National Park Service can continue to allow e-bike access on non-motorized trails but needs to conduct its own environmental review followed by a public comment period to gauge the impact they have on park resources and...

www.bicycleretailer.com

TLDR: Group sues National Park Service for not following process when it allowed e-bikes on lands in their jurisdiction. The judge ordered them to start over with an environmental impact study and a period for public comment.

NPS superintendents can decide on a case by case basis whether to allow e-bikes for now, but this is no longer a done deal. We'll definitely need to keep our eyes open for the public comment period.

 

[Slowroller]

We'll likely see similar with the BLM then too, I'd imagine PEER sued them as well for the same thing. It isn't clear to me at least if the NEPA they are referring to applies to the entire National park system, or if individual parks will have to conduct their own.

 

[Rod B.]

I would imagine each national park is a separate entity in and of itself and would require a separate National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) eBike report for that land use area. The Bureau of Land Management works in this manner for each of it's land districts. I recently spoke to the BLM Moab Utah land manager who said their office was currently undergoing the NEPA process to allow eBikes on Moab's non-motorized trails.

There have already been multiple NEPA eBike reports such as Bolder County, Colorado, Bureau of Land Management. Each NEPA report found eBikes operated at slower speeds than a traditional bike. The reports also found eBikes to be no more unsafe or intrusive to the public or more damaging to the environment than a traditional bike. I would imagine any NEPA report by the National Park Service will have a similar conclusion.

Boulder County Colorado

https://assets.bouldercounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/e-bikes-recommendation-bocc-11-13-2019.pdf

Bureau of Land Management

https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/BLM%20E%20Bike%20Final%20Rule%2010.2020.pdf

 

[Kevjob51]

I live in Jefferson County Colorado which includes Golden, which has some of the best directional downhill bike only trails. They did a pilot test program for ebikes a while back, they lent out ebikes, had people with ebikes ride the trails and study the damage, interactions with hikers and then had a public forum meeting to discuss making ebikes same as mtb. They decided to allow them anywhere a mtb is allowed. Colorado State parks also allow them on mtb trails.

When researching where ebikes are legal if I did not live in or near Jeffco I would think twice about buying mine. Thankfully all the best downhill only enduro bike only trails I ride allow ebikes. I shuttled one of my favorite runs last Friday 3 times which I can only do once on my mtb.

Boulder is anti ebike as well as some other counties near me. They use the same tired arguments about damage to trails etc...but they don't do their own pilot program or use Jeffco pilot program or its results.

 

[RobG]

Gotta remember that the US Forest Disservice (USFDS) and Bureau of Land Mismangement (BLMM?) are out for themselves. As government employees, they want to do the least amount of work possible. That means rather than managing land, they'd rather just close it. It's simple, it's easy.

BUT, there are also a chunk of people who work for them who are hard-left eco-freak greenies who want all public land closed down and turned into Wilderness. I don't THINK they're in the majority yet (the majority are the lazy bastards), but we're probably getting close.

I was watching a video this morning about a killer trails area that was all of two miles where I used to live in Arizona... and I didn't even know it was there, because it was before I got into riding.

So I pulled up Trail Forks, and sure enough, the entire area is marked off-limits to ebikes. I left a polite-but-firm comment and wanted to reiterate it here -- I think that MTB groups need to start INSISTING that the US Forest Disservice reclassify class 1 ebikes to allow them on ALL regular mtb trails. None of this, "it's up to the land manager" crap. They need to be allowed on ALL EXISTING MTB TRAILS, period. And these mtb groups need to be helping make this happen.

I basically said that I would really like to be involved in a lot of these MTB groups.. help build trails, maintenance, etc, but I'm not doing crap unless the groups start to stand up for us ebike riders. And I think we as a group (ebike owners) should start refusing to support MTB groups until they start supporting us.