The Bureau of Land Management is accepting public feedback through November 1, 2024 on which non-motorized, designated mountain bike trails in the Moab field office they would allow class I e-bikes. There are currently 197 miles of mountain bike trails and 12 trail systems within the Moab field office. The recent Labyrinth Rims travel plan that closed 317 miles of motorized trails analyzed e-bike use in the area and decided to open 1 mile of trail for e-bikes.
This proposal to update policy to allow e-bikes on the other world-class biking trails in this system is a welcome development that brings BLM policy in line with the National Parks. Even though NPS has more restrictive mandates for protecting resources in the parks, they have decided to allow ebike use on mountain bike trails after extensive analysis was required because of a lawsuit brought forward by PEER. Hopefully other agencies, including the USFS will follow the National Park Service’s lead and abandon their unenlightened and discriminatory e-bike policies.
We support the MOAB BLM office’s willingness to consider the following trails for e-bike use:
- Athena
- Horsethief Trail System
- Navajo Rocks
- Magnificent 7
- 7-Up
- Getaway
- Trails within Gemini Bridges
- Gold Bar Rim
- Portal
- Klondike Bluffs Trail System
- Baby Steps
- Klonzo Trail Trail System
- Moab Brands Trail System
- Amasa
- Jackson
- Hunter Canyon Rim
- Pipe Dream
- Raptor Route Trails: Hawkes Glide, Falcon Flow, Kestral Run
- Kokopelli
Studies repeatedly show that resource damage and safety concerns aren’t any higher with an e-bike than with a human powered mountain bike. The BLM should be accommodating all types of users. BRC would like to see all routes open to class I e-bikes. Add your voice to ours and submit a comment to the BLM below.
I’m retired and love to spend time with my family and friends in the outdoors. Just because I can no longer put on a 60lb pack and hike 20 miles doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t be able too enjoy the beauty of this earth just as much as the next person!! Closing the trails and roads is nothing short of discrimination against the people who have spent their lives building this country! Public lands belong to the people!!!
I agree
I am an “older” MTB enthusiast and would very strongly support the use of Class 1 e-bikes on any trail where conventional bikes are allowed. Having ridden for the last 3 years on my class 1ebike, it has been my experience that most conventional riders I encountered on trails don’t even know I am on an ebike , and when I mention it, they are overwhelmingly supportive of my use at my age, and hope that they will be afforded the same opportunity as they too age out of non assisted pedaling.
I am 78 years and like to ride mountain bikes with my kids and grandkids. My age prevents me from keeping up using a standard mountain bike. An e-bike is the equalizer. If the Moab trails were e-bike friendly I would be able to join them on their Moab rides.
I am president of Yosemite South Gate trails in California. We have mixed use areas and loose dirt. We have a lot of e bikers and have not seen extra damage associated. E bikes have been great for expanding the sport and access to many who otherwise would not have this opportunity. Moab is already a destination , I cannot picture it being overran with the allowance of e bikes.
Yes! For us More Mature Riders, this will help us to use our public lands and be in nature. All around great idea.
We love e-bikes and how they have extended our riding time with aging athletes. I highly encourage my older friends to give them a try so they can enjoy riding as they did when they were younger.
Please allow the Class 1 e-bikes on all MTB trails. I use an E-bike due to heart conditions that keep me from being able to recreate on a traditional bicycle. I recreate all over the country and come to MOB often. Keep public trails open to ALL users.
E-bikes are a wonderful way for kids, parents, and grand parents to all enjoy riding together. As a long time rider of old school mountain bikes and e-bikes I can honestly say there’s no downside to allowing e-bikes on the same trails. The current situation of classifying e-bikes the same as side-by-sides, Jeeps, and 500cc dirt bikes is crazy.
I recently perched an E bike and having as much fun as my atv.
My wife and I have been living and riding in Moab for 30 years. One does get old at one point please open the trails for E bikes. The damage is no more than regular mountain bikes. The elitist need to calm down and let this happen.
We have loved riding mtb for over 25yrs now. Since we’re getting older now and do not have the same stamina, purchasing Emtbikes has really become a game changer. We can if we choose, to be able to ride farther in the same amount of time as our regular bikes and yet burn the same number of calories and more so really dial in the amount of exertion we feel like doing. It’s also nice to not feel dread when I know a big climb is coming up.
E-bikes may also level the playing field so riders of different abilities can stay more together throughout the route.
As far as trail impact, I don’t see how e-bikes are more impactful. The weights are almost the same, and I am not going any faster than I would on a non e-bike.
In fact, young guys on non e-bikes still blow by me when we’re going down hill:)
All trails in Moab should be open to class 1 E-Bikes. They make no sound, and allow all abilities to enjoy the trails.
I am an avid mountain biker and have lived in Moab for 24 years. E-Bikes are allowed in St. George, you will see them riding along with non motorized bike friends and family. You can’t one from the other by sound.
When I am older I will need an E-Bike and want to enjoy all of the trails.
A lot of people are not fit enough to ride a normal mountain bike and keep up with stronger riders. Allowing Class 1 bikes allows them to keep up, staying with the group, and being safer.