EBikes and the Forest Service

[IdahoElk]

Just wondering if anyone has the latest info on the Forest Service and their stand on Ebike use on non motorized trails? Specifically talking about class 1 pedal assist bikes? Thanks for any info.

 

[BBob]

E-bike’s are a motorized vehicle as far as the USFS is concerned. I believe that would mean you aren’t legally riding any class of e-bike on non-motorized trails.

Where are e-bikes currently allowed on national forests and grasslands?​

Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes are allowed on motorized trails and roads on national forests and grasslands. Additionally, several year-round resorts operating under a special use permit have established e-bike use within their permit boundary.

Electric Bicycle Use | US Forest Service

Forest Service Statement on Electric Bicycle Use:

www.fs.usda.gov

The Forest Service's new E-bike Rule is Clear: Wait and See What Happens

We spoke with representatives from the USFS and IMBA to better understand new e-bike trail access directives.

www.singletracks.com

What’s the deal with the USFS and e-bikes? - Boulder Mountainbike Alliance

The short answer is, the USFS considers all types and classes of e-bikes motorized and they are not allowed on non-motorized trails. For the long answer, read on.

www.bouldermountainbike.org

 

[IdahoElk]

E-bike’s are a motorized vehicle as far as the USFS is concerned. I believe that would mean you aren’t legally riding any class of e-bike on non-motorized trails.

Where are e-bikes currently allowed on national forests and grasslands?​

Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes are allowed on motorized trails and roads on national forests and grasslands. Additionally, several year-round resorts operating under a special use permit have established e-bike use within their permit boundary.

Electric Bicycle Use | US Forest Service

Forest Service Statement on Electric Bicycle Use:

www.fs.usda.gov

The Forest Service's new E-bike Rule is Clear: Wait and See What Happens

We spoke with representatives from the USFS and IMBA to better understand new e-bike trail access directives.

www.singletracks.com

What’s the deal with the USFS and e-bikes? - Boulder Mountainbike Alliance

The short answer is, the USFS considers all types and classes of e-bikes motorized and they are not allowed on non-motorized trails. For the long answer, read on.

www.bouldermountainbike.org

I think a majority of hunters with Ebikes use these bikes on non motorized trails and don't realize it's not allowed.
I'm in that group with a class 1 bike that just learned this trail riding today.

 

[justinspicher]

Not allowed in Colorado, I just spent 5 days out in the woods and every trail marker/trail head had a no e-bike sticker.

 

[ez_willie]

Spent the last week researching this topic, specifically for Idaho forest service and BLM. Emailed 3 wardens with no response. Just going to ride my ebike anywhere I feel like as long as I’m packing in camp or packing out meat? Correct? Also I’ll have a deer tag but be upland game hunting so I can carry my bow correct?

 

[Pacific_Fork]

I think a majority of hunters with Ebikes use these bikes on non motorized trails and don't realize it's not allowed.
I'm in that group with a class 1 bike that just learned this trail riding today.

You really think they’re the majority? How anyone can buy a bike with a MOTOR and think they’re good to go on NON MOTORIZED trails….. study their brains for science.

 

[taskswap]

You really think they’re the majority? How anyone can buy a bike with a MOTOR and think they’re good to go on NON MOTORIZED trails….. study their brains for science.

He didn't say "the majority of hunters". He said "the majority of hunters WITH EBIKES". Of those people who had this misunderstanding pre-purchase, it's reasonable to assume the majority of those still have it.

 

[taskswap]

Spent the last week researching this topic, specifically for Idaho forest service and BLM. Emailed 3 wardens with no response. Just going to ride my ebike anywhere I feel like as long as I’m packing in camp or packing out meat? Correct? Also I’ll have a deer tag but be upland game hunting so I can carry my bow correct?

Incorrect. You can ride it on BLM land unless the MVUM (you need a current one for your area) says you can't. On USFS land, any class of e-bike can ONLY be ridden where "motorized vehicles" are allowed (quads/cars). If they are not specifically marked as allowed, they are NOT allowed. It doesn't matter whether you're packing camp/game or not. Also, in "Wilderness Areas" you can't even used non-motorized vehicles, like regular bicycles or game carts.

 

[lintond]

My friend who works for USFS told me a while ago they were looking at allowing e-bikes with certain power restrictions but sounds like those haven’t happened yet.

This is one of the reasons I haven’t dipped my toes into the e-bike craze. Can’t use them on most timber roads that allow bikes here in Oregon either.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Pacific_Fork]

He didn't say "the majority of hunters". He said "the majority of hunters WITH EBIKES". Of those people who had this misunderstanding pre-purchase, it's reasonable to assume the majority of those still have it.

I know that’s what he said, you misunderstood me and my point still stands that if the majority of Ebike hunters can’t comprehend their e-bikes have a motor they need their brains examined.

 

[mike.adams.467]

Spent the last week researching this topic, specifically for Idaho forest service and BLM. Emailed 3 wardens with no response. Just going to ride my ebike anywhere I feel like as long as I’m packing in camp or packing out meat? Correct? Also I’ll have a deer tag but be upland game hunting so I can carry my bow correct?

If it's in a national forest, you cannot ride an ebike on nonmotorized roads or trails. This has been made clear for several years.

 

[Fatcamp]

I know that’s what he said, you misunderstood me and my point still stands that if the majority of Ebike hunters can’t comprehend their e-bikes have a motor they need their brains examined.

I think they comprehend it just fine, they just want to do it anyway.

 

[NMNomad]

It all seems to be about enforcement in your area. Some are strictly forbidden, others it isn't enforced at all. Luck of the draw for the area you intend to utilize it.

 

[iamthenick]

Says only women and children are allowed to use them.

 

[IdahoElk]

You really think they’re the majority? How anyone can buy a bike with a MOTOR and think they’re good to go on NON MOTORIZED trails….. study their brains for science.

There are 3 classes of E-bikes, Class 1 is pedal assist and the class that is allowed on some forest service land where I live that is posted non motorized, So there are some areas where you can legally ride an E bike with a motor.
Each area within the forest service lands has the ability to change trail use restrictions.

 

[IdahoElk]

It all seems to be about enforcement in your area. Some are strictly forbidden, others it isn't enforced at all. Luck of the draw for the area you intend to utilize it.

Nobody enforces it by me and a lot of people are riding E-bikes, just stay away from popular trailheads. Unfortunately we only have one FS Ranger and he has a huge area to cover, E bikes aren't a priority.

 

[dtrkyman]

Not allowed in Colorado, I just spent 5 days out in the woods and every trail marker/trail head had a no e-bike sticker.

That may well be true but they completely ignore closed roads in the spring in my experience!

 

[justinspicher]

People will do whatever they want, then places get shut down and they don’t understand why.

 

[IdahoBeav]

An E-bike has no rights beyond that of an off highway dirt bike.

E-bikes and most people that ride them are a pain in the ass wherever they are riding- whether it’s non-motorized trails, sidewalks, bike lanes, traffic lanes, etc.

Get a bicycle or buy a dirt bike, or better yet, get both.

 

[OMF]

Oh come on @IdahoBeav, you're being too judgemental. What's wrong with a bunch of 14 yo kids on e-bikes tearing down the 8th St mall walkway weaving back and forth etc. in Boise?? People just need to get out of their way.