In Southern Utah, the Bureau of Land Management is starting the scoping process to allow Class I e-bikes on mountain bike trails across six trail systems in the Cedar City Field Office. This is one of many individual proposals to allow e-bikes on certain trail systems. While BRC supports this proposal, a unified federal policy permitting e-bikes on all mountain bike trails would simplify the rules for both agencies and the public.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cedar City Field Office has proposed authorizing the use of Class 1 electric mountain bikes on trails within six trail systems:
- Iron Hills National Recreation Trail System
- Thunderbird Canyons Trail System
- Enoch Bench Trail System (proposed)
- Evil Water Trail System
- Three Peaks Mountain Bike Trail System
- Beaver Bench Trail System
This proposal seeks to change the allowable uses on these trails to include Class 1 e-bikes, which are equipped with a motor that assists only when the rider is pedaling and ceases assistance at 20 miles per hour. Any future trails added to these systems would also permit e-bike use, but new trail systems not listed would require separate analysis.
E-bike use on federal land within Utah should be consistent with the state’s e-bike policies which are:
- E-bikes are regulated like bicycles. The same rules of the road apply to both electric and human-powered bicycles.
- E-bikes are not subject to the registration, licensing or insurance requirements that apply to motor vehicles.
- Utah designates three classes of E-bikes that categorize E-bikes based on motor size, max assisted speed, and throttle-assist.
- E-bikes are allowed on bike paths.
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