According to PeopleForBikes, the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Fish & Wildlife Service and Bureau of Reclamation have codified and clarified their rules for electric bicycles on public lands under their collective jurisdiction. “On Friday, Oct. 2, the Department of the Interior released final rules for electric bicycle use on public lands,” states the PeopleFor Bikes Team. “This new regulation more clearly defines electric bicycles and gives local land managers the authority to permit their use on non-motorized trails. “
In many cases, the call as to who can ride where has been deferred to local land managers. Generally speaking, these rules mean that:
-Electric bicycles are no longer defined as motor vehicles or off-road vehicles, but are properly defined within three classes.
-Electric bicycle riders have similar rights, privileges and duties as traditional bicycle riders.
-Local land managers can authorize some or all classes of electric bicycles on roads, paths and trails where bicycles are allowed.
-Local land managers maintain significant control, in partnership with the public, to make access decisions.
Originally launched in 1999 as Bikes Belong, PeopleForBikes includes both an industry coalition of bicycling suppliers and retailers, as well as a charitable foundation. The foundation houses major programs and engages individual members, affiliate organizations. and corporate sponsors with the belief that:
“Together, we can make bike riding better!”
FAQs and links to the individual agency regulations are posted on PeopleForBikes electric bicycle webpage:
