Hi all,
The USFS is revising policies surrounding how e-mtb's will be integrated into their trail networks in the future and comments are due today at 5 PM!
Whether you are a fan of e-mtb's or not, the proposed e-mtb policy revisions will paint the USFS and their staff into a corner and drastically limit how they are able manage them moving forward. Their proposed changes are also inconsistent with how the Department of Interior (BLM, National Parks, Fish & Wildlife, Bureau of reclamation) and over half of the states are managing e-mtb's into the future. This will only create more confusion for trail users on where and how they are allowed on the various landscapes.
We have been in discussions with several trail and conservation groups along with Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance on this topic and believe there are several key items that the USFS should adjust on their proposed revisions.
Non-Motorized vs. Motorized Designation:
We believe that that putting e-mtb’s into a motorized designation is the wrong approach and is inconsistent with how other land managers are designating e-bikes. Currently, there are 27 states that have classified e-bikes as non-motorized including Washington State. Last week, the Department of Interior released Order 3376 that designates all three classes of e-bikes as non-motorized and class 1 e-bikes trail access will be managed at the local level.
We would recommend that the USFS designate all three classes of e-bikes as non-motorized. At a minimum, we would suggest that any policy revisions should align with USFS 36 CFR 212.1 and designate class 1 and class 3 (pedal assist) e-bikes as non-motorized and class 2 (self-propelled) as motorized.
By distinguishing between the 3 classes of e-bikes, the USFS will be far more effective in their management. Class 1 e-MTBs could be allowed on non-motorized trails upon completion of an environmental review and public comment process, driven by the local forests / districts and their stakeholders. Similarly, the agency could prohibit Class 2 and 3 e-bikes on non-motorized trails.
Non-Motorized Funding:
If the USFS classifies all e-bikes with a motorized designation, it would likely affect future non-motorized funding sources like RTP and NOVA grant funding in Washington State and similar non-motorized funding in other areas of the country. It also has an unintended consequence where any trail that allows a class 1 e-mtb would receive a motorized designation.
NEPA:
While we believe an environmental review and public process is reasonable across a forest or even USFS region, requiring NEPA to consider e-mtb use on EVERY trail is cost prohibitive, impractical and will result in no action. Instead, we would advise a more programmatic approach done at the local level with the local stakeholders to identify where e-mtb use makes the most sense.
National Scenic Trails:
We believe that banning all e-mtb’s from ALL National scenic trails is the wrong approach and that a programmatic approach of where and how they can be considered at the local level by the local stakeholders. An example is the Pacific Northwest Trail which is near our organization and has many sections where an e-mtb would be very reasonable to allow.
E-mtb Growth:
All bike brands either have a class 1 e-mtb in production or are working on releasing them and the e-mtb market will continue to have strong growth into the future. Our suggestions above would help the USFS be in front of the technology as adoption of e-bikes continues to grow for both transportation and recreation purposes.