The U.S. Forest Service is proposing updates to its rules on electronic bikes on national forest trails, like those managed by the Bridger-Teton. Officials are seeking public comments, but the window to weigh in is closing soon.
Currently, e-bikes are only allowed on Forest Service trails or areas already designated for motor-vehicle use, which encompasses about 40% of trails on national forests and grasslands, as well as thousands of miles of other roads, forest officials said.
“Today, more than 60,000 miles of trails and roads on national forests and grasslands are currently open to e-bike use,” according to the Forest Service’s e-bike webpage. “The Forest Service is actively exploring how to incorporate new trends in recreation use on national forests and grasslands and to expand e-bike use in areas other than those currently open to it.”
To make it easier for individual forests to allow e-bike use on roads, trails and lands, the Forest Service has proposed new definitions for an e-bike, breaking them into class 1, 2 and 3 vehicles. The proposed changes to Forest Service regulations also include guidance and criteria for designating e-bike use.
Comments are due Oct. 26. Questions may be directed to Penny Wu, Forest Service recreation staff, at [email protected] or 303-275-5168.
