By Charles Pekow — You can now ride an e-bike on some federal recreational trails. Federal agencies issued directives allowing the vehicles off-road as long as they’re not exclusively powered by motors. The rules apply to lands operated by the Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Land Management, National Wildlife Refuge System and the National Park Service.
Some areas will still be off-limits, so check signs or with officials. But by and large, e-bikes are now considered the same as mechanical bikes. Bikes may not exceed 750 watts (one horsepower) and fall into a class one, two or three category. Local officials are also free to exclude them from specific areas if they determine they can do environmental damage.
The US Forest Service allows e-bikes on some roads and trails and is still considering a proposal to expand their use, similar to the other agencies.
For more information, see: https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/e-bikes
Editor’s Note: See the comment below from Moab Trail Mix
This is incorrect. The DOI decision allows each local field office to make a determination for their trails; e-bikes are not legal unless the office has made a change.
In Moab, for instance, e-bikes are still not allowed on non-motorized trails and paths.
https://www.discovermoab.com/ebikes/
shucks. next woulda been Harleys okay on mt bike trails. vroom vroom.
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