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Progress, despite it appearing to not gain much access to the 'sick' stuff, good to open the door for more people to ride bikes-as has been said, wish it was class 1 only, but, oh well.
National Park Service - https://www.nps.gov/subjects/biking/e-bikes.htm
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - https://www.fws.gov/refuges/biking/
Bureal of Land Management - https://www.blm.gov/ebikes
Bureau of Reclamation - https://www.usbr.gov/recreation/publications/ebikes.pdf
As described a few posts up, this may change once a Field or District Manager issues a decision. From a call with them I was given the impression that this decision is expected to happen relatively quickly.
The Information Bulletin and attachments make it clear that in general, e-bike use will very likely be allowed on most BLM trails.
"Field or District managers should issue decisions generally authorizing the use of Class I, II, and III e-bikes where traditional bicycles are allowed. In considering where e-bike use may be appropriate, field managers should take into account local conditions, such as natural and cultural resources, potential user conflicts, and the laws, regulations, and policies of adjacent jurisdictions regarding e-bike use. Field managers should also undertake to revise travel management plans to affirmatively allow e-bikes in areas where traditional bicycles are allowed but e-bike use is currently prohibited."
Denying them access is made complicated by needing approval from the State Director:
"In the event that a District or Field Manager is considering denying the use of low-speed electric bicycles in a specific location, a written explanation must be submitted to and approved by the State Director."
The BLM provided the following definitive answers to three key questions regarding e-bike use moving forward and timing in the matter:
Are e-bikes allowed on BLM trails where traditional bicycles are permitted?
Response: The BLM will continue to allow visitors to use e-bikes on BLM roads, trails and designated areas where motorized use is allowed. Also, e-bikes may be used on a trail or road that is currently limited to non-OHV or non-motorized use only IF a BLM District or Field Manager issues a decision authorizing their use in accordance with applicable law. E-bike users should consult with their BLM District or Field Office for guidance about e-bike use in specific areas. E-bikes are still prohibited in designated wilderness areas - as are traditional bikes.
As of which date?
Response: This guidance is effective as of October 22, 2019, but doesn't immediately authorize the use of e-bikes anywhere they were previously prohibited. BLM District and Field managers are still implementing the guidance locally and have to take specific and documented action to authorize use of e-bikes or designated trails as available for e-bike use.
Where can riders get information on e-bike access to specific trails?
Response: The most current national information on our effort may be found here. For more local information, such as specific trails, we encourage people to contact the trail's respective District and Field Office.
The BLM manages the southern side of Emerald Mountain, which includes the Ridge, Beall and Rotary trails. In Tuesday’s meeting, BLM Park Ranger Gary Keeling said the BLM hasn’t “really advertised” that trails are open to e-bikes, but when someone asks, they tell them e-bikes of any class are allowed. According to the memo, the BLM and the city have agreed that “it would be beneficial to have the same management plan in place to address the use of e-bikes on Emerald Mountain.”
http://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_07f2b6f6-fc02-11e9-9cec-3f410db…
https://moabtimes.com/2019/11/01/county-asks-blm-to-retain-e-bike-ban-o…
Western Slope Colorado Updates:
https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/western_colorado/e-bikers-hold-your-hor…
In brief, a collection of outdoor groups have banded together to sue the National Forrest Service for not following proper procedures in allowing a new user group to access trails in the Tahoe Forrest. In interviews, the user groups are explicit in saying that they are not anti-eMTB. The issue at hand is the way in which the new user group was allowed on trail.
A spokesperson from People for Bikes stated their desire to let the new user group stay on trail and collect impact studies along the way, as there are insufficient impact studies currently available.
The lawsuit was also reported by BIKE Mag Of the issues noted here, is the inability to monitor the sub-categories of the new user group (such as class 2 and 3 eMTB.) Anecdotal reports have complaints of throttle actuated eMTB on trails already.
Possibly adding fuel to the fire of the ongoing debate about the classification of e-bikes was a report in Bicycle Retailer that outlined Giant Bicycles displaying their eMTB line at a motorcycle trade show. Perhaps the most condemning quote being, "Since they're now seeing Giant e-bikes in an ever-growing number of powersports retailers across the country..."
With eMTB being sold at powersports retailers, the camp stating that eMTB are motorcycles just gained a little ammo for the argument.
As divided as the mountain bike community may be on eMTB, it would seem that the controversy extends well beyond our camp of dirt surfers. From the looks of it, this may be only the beginning.
Group files lawsuit against park service for allowing e-bikes on non-motorized trails
This is the second suit filed since October to limit e-bike use on trails.
PEER filed a lawsuit against the NPS.
WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — The Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and a coalition of conservation groups are the primary plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the National Park Service for allowing e-bikes on non-motorized trails.
https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2019/12/09/group-files-la…
Reminds me of the snowboard vs. skier debate and the hiker vs mountain biker debate.
Years ago I met a Park Ranger at Keystone Resort who started crying as he told me about how the NORBA downhill race had destroyed the environment (a 3-foot wise trail approximately 1.2 miles long), while we were watching heavy equipment cut a new service road and rip hundreds if not thousands of trees out of the ground from the bottom of Keystone to the top (approx. 20 feet wide and 5 miles long) to install a new snowmaking system.
Why are people so pennywise and dollar foolish? Let's spend our collective time and money on big issues!
Just because they are sold at motorcycle dealers, it does not make them a motorcycle but it does shed light on who the small, but growing, US eMTB market is.
Excerpts from the article (also linked):
"Mack wrote that his office consulted Automotivedictionary.org and Motorera.com and found e-bikes fit their definitions of motorcycles."
"Customs ruled on requests for clarification from Kent International and Allco Manufacturing, both of whom argued that e-bikes fall under the category of electric motorcycles and so should share the tariff exclusion."
clearly in this case industry groups are arguing that ebikes arent motos to gain access to public lands and develop the market for consumers at the same they are arguing that ebikes are motos to save money on import duties to develop the market for consumers.... so you know... all good...
The major hurdle for ebikes, and the key focus for the industry on the subject of ebike adoption isnt access to public lands... it is price...
https://www.bike-eu.com/laws-regulations/nieuws/2020/10/major-change-in…
https://www.doi.gov/blog/enjoy-your-next-e-bike-trip-public-lands
https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/e-bikes/faq
Here are 12,000 public comments on e-bikes. Very interesting to click through some of them and consider various perspectives:
https://www.regulations.gov/docketBrowser?rpp=50&so=DESC&sb=postedDate&…
There’s truly no way to enforce what’s happening now the thought I have is a weight limit let’s say 40lbs that way there is truly nothing out there yet that’s powerful enough to damage our trails yet would give access to the forest this might work.
Six years later, class 1 e-bikes get the green light in Moab... press release below.
BLM opens 200 miles of trails to class 1 e-bikes
September 29, 2025
MOAB, Utah – The Bureau of Land Management officials have announced that they will open more than 200 miles of mountain bike trails around Moab to class 1 e-bikes, beginning March 1, 2026.
“Opening trails to class 1 e-bike users will expand recreational opportunities and experiences, while allowing users to disperse across the landscape, minimizing impacts,” said Moab Field Office Manager Dave Pals.
After careful consideration of community and public input, the following areas will now be available to class 1 e-bike users:
- Athena Mountain Bike Trail
- Horsethief Mountain Bike Trail System
- Navajo Rocks Mountain Bike Trail System
- Gemini Bridges Area Mountain Bike Trail System
- 7-Up Mountain Bike Trail
- Gold Bar Rim Mountain Bike Trail
- Portal Mountain Bike Trail
- Klondike Bluffs Mountain Bike Trail System
- Baby Steps Mountain Bike Trail
- Klonzo Mountain Bike Trail System
- Moab Brands Mountain Bike Trail System
- Amasa Back Mountain Bike Trail System
- Jackson Mountain Bike Trail
- Hunter Canyon Rim Mountain Bike Trail
- Pipe Dream Mountain Bike Trail
- Raptor Route Mountain Bike Trails: Hawks Glide, Falcon Flow, Kestrel Run
- Kokopelli Mountain Bike Trail – 1.7 mile of non-motorized singletrack trail
The trails that will remain open to mountain bikes, but will not allow e-bikes, are Lower Porcupine Singletrack (commonly called LPS), Eagle Eye, Porcupine Rim Singletrack, Fisher Mesa, and Hidden Valley.
Class 1 e-bikes must have operable pedals, where power is only provided when pedaling. Power is only provided up to 20 miles-per-hour. Non-motorized, mountain bike trails will remain closed to class 2 e-bikes with a throttle and class 3 e-bikes that provide power up to 28 miles per hour.
The BLM will monitor these trail networks for public safety, visitor experience, and trail/resource impacts.
The environmental assessment, finding of no significant impact, decision record, and other project related documents, including an interactive map, are available online at the BLM NEPA register.
For questions about trail access, visitors can contact the Moab Field Office.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
maybe eebs will make those trails fun? At least knock em out quicker so you can go rent a side-by-side or get drunk.
granted, it’s been ten years since I went to Moab but the trails were so far behind back then I can’t imagine they’ve caught up with the times…
I certainly agree that eebs do no more significant damage than pedal bikes. Especially there!
Post a reply to: E-Bikes Move Forward with USA National Park and BLM Trail Access - Thoughts?