Today, we get to celebrate another major win in the Grand Reopening of our public lands. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has officially opened over 200 miles of world-class mountain biking trails near Moab, Utah to Class 1 e-bikes.
This decision is a result of the unified, grassroots advocacy of the BlueRibbon Coalition community. Together, we stood up for responsible access, and today we’re seeing the impact of our work. Once again, they heard you. Read BLM’s official announcement here.
How We Got Here
Earlier this year, when the BLM announced its proposal to allow Class 1 e-bikes on these Moab trail systems, we launched an action campaign to make sure the voices of recreation users were heard.
Through our Advocacy Portal, our followers sent thousands of emails to the BLM and elected officials. Even more importantly, we implemented our “double coverage” system, which ensured that every supportive comment was independently counted and verifiable — so no one could claim public support wasn’t there.
We followed up this initial surge of support by launching a sweepstakes to Win a Bakcou Scout E-Bike as a way to build support for a broad range of initiatives to increase e-bike access on public land.
Why This Win Matters
- Access for all: Class 1 e-bikes open trails to a wider range of users — older riders, families, and those with physical limitations or challenges.
- Smart recreation management: BLM recognized that allowing e-bikes helps disperse visitors across the landscape, easing crowding and reducing impacts on overused areas.
- Momentum for future battles: This decision sets a powerful precedent we can take to other BLM field offices, Forest Service regions, and state agencies. It proves that when riders organize, we can protect and expand access.
Moab is home to some of the most popular mountain biking trails in the world. The BLM originally only proposed to open 114 miles out of 211 miles of these routes. With a decision to open 200 miles of these trails, it is clear that the BLM is listening to the public land users who want to access and enjoy our public lands.
However, groups like the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and the Sierra Club went on record opposing this plan to expand e-bike access in Moab, and it is possible they will appeal this decision.
Expanding Access, Preserve the Experience
E-bikes are a vital access tool for older riders, people with physical limitations, and families with young children who want to recreate together. These bikes expand access while maintaining the spirit of non-motorized trail use. Class 1 e-bikes are low-powered pedal-assist bikes with no throttle and limited speeds, making them appropriate for shared-use trails without degrading the user experience.
To celebrate this win and gear up for any fight to keep these trails open, we are offering double entries to our Bakcou E-bike Sweepstakes. With only 9 days left, the odds of winning are still great, and your support will support our work to get more areas open for e-bike access.
Here is a full list of trails that will be opened to class-1 E-bikes in Moab:
- Athena Mountain Bike Trail
- Horsethief Mountain Bike Trail System
- Navajo Rocks Mountain Bike Trail System
- Gemini Bridges Area Mountain Bike Trail System
- 7-Up Mountain Bike Trail
- Gold Bar Rim Mountain Bike Trail
- Portal Mountain Bike Trail
- Klondike Bluffs Mountain Bike Trail System
- Baby Steps Mountain Bike Trail
- Klonzo Mountain Bike Trail System
- Moab Brands Mountain Bike Trail System
- Amasa Back Mountain Bike Trail System
- Jackson Mountain Bike Trail
- Hunter Canyon Rim Mountain Bike Trail
- Pipe Dream Mountain Bike Trail
- Raptor Route Mountain Bike Trails: Hawks Glide, Falcon Flow, Kestrel Run
- Kokopelli Mountain Bike Trail – 1.7 mile of non-motorized singletrack trail
