Just last week we wrote about the finalization of e-bike rules by the US Secretary of the Interior that apply to Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS), and Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) land. Now, the US Forest Service (USFS) is seeking public comment on their own proposed e-bike directive, which IMBA labels “troublesome.”
Like the Department of Interior (DOI) rules, the USFS proposal gives local land managers control over e-bike access. However, unlike the DOI, the USFS rules would require a public process to include Travel Management and an environmental analysis before opening a trail to e-bikes, rather than starting from a default “open” position.
IMBA notes the new Forest Service rules would continue to consider all classes of e-bikes to be motorized vehicles, separate from traditional mountain bikes. As a result, allowing eMTB access to a trail could require the trail to be opened to all motorized traffic. Therefore, IMBA is recommending the USFS adopt a similar stance to the DOI by providing a motorized exception for eMTBs.
Beyond potential user conflicts that might arise from opening more trails to motorized traffic, IMBA points out that changing the designation of a trail can put certain types of trail funding — like Land Water Conservation Funds — at risk.
For a full summary of IMBA’s position, read this Action Alert on their website. The official comment period is open until Monday, October 26, 2020 and comments can be submitted electronically here.
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The problem is not ebikes . The problem is high speeds on a trail especially singletrak . Slow moving users like hikers and horses to an extent are at risk to a mountain bikers coming at them at high speeds and it also puts the mountain bikers at risk . We have seen the videos and its not safe . That’s the reality . I would never take my little grandkids up a trail that mountain bikers are coming down at high speeds . Multi use trails dont really work and as mountain biking becomes more popular the trail will become more crowded . Covid has brought back a renesance to getting back in the great outdoors . Some trails are just zoos and quite hazardous.
It is sad that people in the “bike world” are not up on current standings for Ebikes. Even congress has recognized that Class 1 ebikes are NOT motorized vehicles. When are you guys going to get caught up.
“a low-speed electric bicycle (as defined in section 38(b) of the
Consumer Product Safety Act) shall not be considered a motor vehicle as
defined by section 30102(6) of title 49, United States Code.”
https://www.congress.gov/107/plaws/publ319/PLAW-107publ319.htm?fbclid=IwAR0P7xUO-ZHo2Q8FyI7dlVJ6W79WRP7cfm18Heh4bGhuP8CmFquYtgjcens
It has a motor, so it really is a motor vehicle.
Should they be exempted and be allowed in non-motorized trails is a separate question, but to say that they’re not motor vehicle is funny.
They are not motorcycle, but should not be in same category as non-motorized mtb either.
The FS terminology is a little confusing when it comes to use categories. I asked for some clarification from IMBA, and at a high level it sounds like there are two big use categories (motorized, and non-motorized) and below those there are sub-categories for activities like hiking, ATV use, horseback riding, mountain biking, etc. The new policy carves out a brand new sub-category for eMTBs, and places it within the top-level motorized category. So, it would be a separate sub-category from motorcycles, but both would be within the motorized category.
A big part of the debate comes down to whether e-bikes are more similar to motorcycles, or to bicycles. If you believe,
as IMBA seems to believe,that e-bikes are closer to bicycles, then placing them in the motorized category, while technically accurate, would make it harder to designate trail use to include both without negative consequences to mountain bikers. There are groups separate from IMBA that are working to open more trails to e-bikes, and when they are successful, mountain bikers face potential problems under the proposed FS rule update.Strikethrough: I actually don’t know how IMBA would answer the question so I should not have speculated.
Hi,Last time I checked a motor is a motor, bottom line.thanks , that’s how I feel.
Well, corporations are not technically people either. There’s what is real and what is law. Not necessarily the same things.
Does a pacemaker make a hiker a motorized vehicle? A pacemaker is an assist motor – after all a motor is a motor? Good thing the NPS has already said their rangers have no trouble identifying problem ebikes in the trails identifying between Class I and others.
What IS surprising is the amount of ebikers commenting. Just the ebikers alone I think had more comments than hikers and equestrians combines and there is no national organization, I don’t even think there is local ebike groups. These are just people that aren’t organized advocating for their ebike use. Imagine five years from now when they become less powered and cheaper. Specialized, Orbea and Trek all are have or are releasing their less powered lighter versions. I think it will be the way manufactures move forward in the future.
‘Does a pacemaker make a hiker a motorized vehicle?’
Maybe if you ride the hiker with pacemaker. You cant ride him on public trails.
E bikes are showing up on regular bike paths too. Pedal bike with a little assist for the weak would be ok. Motorcycle size machines. going at excessive speeds not so much. As this article indicated the bureaucrats will no doubt find a way to make it worse.
From experience( I.e.., years of public input on uses and blm travel plans) I can tell you all first hand that you are making a huge mistake by excluding electric mountain bike from the designated mountain bike trails for two MAJOR reasons:
1. The original mountain bike population ( like me- that s right kids, grandpa used to rip it up back in the day at Moab, long before it was Moab Mbike Mecca and Fruits both) and we are getting up there in age. Many of us still ride but find it more and more difficult to tackle the uphills. Going downhill, there is absolutely zero difference between electrical assist and pure pedal. But going uphill, thevelectrix assist sure helps us have a nice day with the kids. We can actually keep up. There are a lot of us by the way, and many of us now qualify under ADA. So go ahead and lock us out you selfish purests, and watch the litigation start under ADA, thus stalling any travel plan for years. Meantime the trails will remain open and we will win in the long run. No different than the current litigation going on over 4 wheeler access and disabled folks. I’ve watched this one drag on for fifteen years.
2. MTBikes are mechanized, w bikes are mechanized, dirt bikes are mechanized. They all prefer single track. Thet are all equally expelled from hiking and horseback trails. 4 wheeler’s and side by sides are excluded from single track. Dirt bikes are excluded from MTBikes single track. But dirt bikes can ride double track,and MTBikes cam ride motorized single track. What you end up with is a whole lot less available to you overall, because all the mechanized groups are seperate voices and thus cannot compete with the bipedal and horseback crowd ( who are united btw). If you make e-bike riders seperate from Mbike riders here is what happens, you divide your current strength by whatever percent is aging and still loves to get out. You become weaker in this war ( and trust me its a war….there are those who woukd prefer none of us have any access except city bike paths). If you don’t get this, look at history. New riding areas don’t magically appear. What there is gets divided up and then it gets challenged by the park and walk crowd. You may not even be aware that at least half if what you currently ride is in the midst of litigation and may disappear. If you purests don’t learn some get along skills and start uniting the user groups, soon you may end up with nothing. United we stand, divided we fall….we all fall. Catch a clue people.
AdventureJon,
Now those are some salient and well-stated points.
In my area at least half of the mtb bikes on the trails are e-mtb bikes. They are not allowed, but the rules are not enforced currently. I have no issues with e-bikes as long as the speed control is maintained for the terrain. I have seen moth e bikes and non e-bikes going way above the posted speed limits. Primarily on downhills. On mixed use trails, some cyclists need to ride more careful. It’s more about the behavior than anything else. The weight difference between mtbs and e-mtbs is minimal. Most trail damage is caused by weather erosion.
Glad to hear that you’re still riding and able to ride with grand kids. I wish i can do that in the future too. I agree with some of your points but litigation thru ADA? Most ebikes I see out in my trails are young abled bodies, out of shape maybe, but not disabled. I don’t have problems with ebikes for the most part, except when a group of 3 ebikers almost knock me off a trail trying to get around me on a tight uphill.
@Jasn805 sounds like what we really is a law against being a jerk, ha! Unfortunately you can’t legislate courtesy.
Trail Cleaning is another area where ebikes might actually enhance the Mbike experience. This may not be an issue on the eastern slope of Colorado, for example, but it is a definite issue the more you move west into the Rockies. There are single track trails that used to allow motorcycles , which have been re-designated as MTN Bike only trails (for example the Raggeds trail just over McClure Pass). It is interesting that since becoming Mtn Bike only, many of these trails go uncleaned year after year and essentially disappear into the the forest. For those of you unfamiliar with that which I am speaking, Colorado forests wre basically replanted a hundred years ago with white pine, and since the Buffalo aren’t around to eat the Aspen, our forests are full of trees that blow over in the wind. Beatle kill also contributes. So every single track trail that you enjoy, somebody was up there before the season kicks off, with their chain saw, clearing these downed trees. Every year this has to happen or none of the trails would be open to anybody who can’t bunny hop at least four feet . The problem with the MTN Bike only trails is it’s hard to lug a chain saw and gas deep into the forest on a pedal bike. The motorized trails don’t have this problem. I suggest recruiting and befriending the e bike crowd to take on this necessary task, as they could much more easily tackle the trail maintenance. Believe it or not, it would open up vast amounts of currently unkept trails. And, no, it is not on the forest service to do this. They do hiking trails, but mech trails are on the user groups.
I have been riding mtn bikes for 30 years. Currently I own a pivot 429 carbon and have just bought a BMC amp ebike. I am 75 years Old and can now keep up with my grandson. I am glad to have the opportunity.