Can you ride eBikes in National Parks?
As of November 2nd, 2020, the National Park Service (NPS) authorized the use of electric bicycles that don’t exceed 750-watts throughout the United States National Park Service system on all roads and trails where traditional bicycles are also allowed.
Wilderness and backcountry areas PROHIBIT the use of ALL bicycles, including e-bikes.
Speed Limit Sign along Carriage Road in Acadia National Park
E-bikes in U.S. National Parks & Regulations
In 2020, regulations were brought in by the U.S. National Park Service that permitted the use of electric bicycles – or ‘e-bikes’ – in all National Parks for the very first time.
Since electric bikes have grown in popularity over the last few years, with sales particularly skyrocketing during the COVID-19 pandemic, calls to allow for their use in National Parks have increased as well. The new regulations were designed to enhance the number of fun and recreational opportunities, allowing visitors to travel farther along bike trails than is permitted by pedal bikes, and to potentially reduce both the number of car trips made within National Parks and the space required for parking areas.
However, the legislation comes with some restrictions; ones which not only restrict the use of e-bikes to certain areas within National Parks but also define which specific types can be ridden.
Which Areas of a National Park Allow E-Bikes?
National Parks consist of many different road and trail types, as well as vast wilderness and back-country areas. Different road and trail types have different rules regarding whether e-bikes are permitted or not, and how they can be ridden. These rules are all listed below.
Paved Roads & Dirt Tracks
The use of electric bicycles is authorized on any National Park road that is already used by motorized vehicles that are not owned by the park itself. This includes paved park roads that are used by a wide range of motor vehicles, and dirt tracks that are designated for off-road vehicle use. Roads also permit people to use e-bike motors for as long as they can without having to pedal them, which is a bonus since some types of e-bikes can be propelled entirely by the motor, albeit for a limited time.
Traditional Biking Trails & Administrative Roads
E-bikes can be used on all National Park trails which are already used by traditional bicycles, including biking trails and administrative roads (ones that are only used by National Park-owned vehicles).
However, when using any of these trails/roads, it is prohibited to move an e-bike exclusively by its motor for an extended period of time. In other words, the operator must ensure that they keep pedaling when using them, as they are also used by traditional bikes. This compliments the new regulations, which are intended to allow the public to use e-bikes in a similar way to traditional bicycles, rather than as electric scooters (or even motorbikes), which are solely motorized vehicles.
Prohibited areas & E-bikes
Hiking Trails
As is the case with traditional bicycles, large areas within National Parks prohibit the use of eBikes, and hiking trails are one of them. Since hiking trails are designed to be used by walkers, often turning sharp corners and encountering rough terrain, they are not safe enough to be used by bikes of any kind.
The risk of potential collisions is significantly higher than on bicycle trails, meaning that there are large health and safety concerns with riding an e-bike on a hiking trail.
Also, hiking trails tend to go through areas that are more environmentally sensitive than a bicycle trail is. If you are caught riding an e-bike on hiking trails, you are subject to a fine.
Wilderness & Backcountry Areas
Wilderness and backcountry areas also prohibit the use of e-bikes – this is already the case with traditional pedal bikes. These parts often have a great amount of environmental importance – they form sensitive and diverse wildlife, plant, and tree habitats, and are often used as conservation areas that require environmental management and protection.
They are also used by walkers and tent campers, who enjoy the tranquility that these landscapes provide. Using a motorized vehicle in a wilderness area poses a threat to its environment, particularly by disrupting the tranquility of the area. As a result, e-bikes and traditional bikes are banned – by Federal statute – from all backcountry and wilderness areas, unless if you are using a trail that permits e-bikes that run through one.
This includes possessing a bicycle, e-bike, or any other form of motorized transport; in other words, it does not matter whether you are riding an e-bike or not, it is still against Federal law. Like with hiking trails, using an e-bike in wilderness areas is subject to a large fine, so make sure that you stay within permitted areas when riding an e-bike.
Classes of E-Bikes & regulations
Only certain types of e-bikes are allowed in National Parks according to the 2020 regulations.
They define an electronic bicycle as being a cycle that has an electric motor not exceeding 750 Watts. Although many e-bikes do not have a motor that is this powerful, some do exceed this and are therefore exempt from all National Parks.
The regulations also differentiate between different electronic bikes, by using a three-tier class system that groups e-bikes according to their top speed and whether throttle control is used.
The three-tier classes are important to note as National Park superintendents have the right to restrict certain e-bike classes from using specific roads or trails.
For example, a superintendent may decide that a specific trail can only be used by Class 1 e-bikes, or exclusively by Classes 1 and 2. This is to ensure that visitors similarly ride e-bikes to traditional bicycles, and pedal bikes rarely reach speeds exceeding 20mph.
In addition, the 2020 regulations allow a superintendent to prevent e-bikes from using any specific trail, even if traditional bikes are allowed on it. This ensures that public health and safety are maintained, and it is reasonable that the busier and more popular a trail is, the tougher the class restrictions will be.
Likely, class restrictions will not be applied to paved roads and dirt tracks that are open to public use, as these are already used by fast-traveling motor vehicles.
Valentina is a guide for Pedal Chile and is our geology expert. Valentina has been in love with volcanoes ever since she first saw Villarrica glowing in her native country of Chile. Valentina was born and raised in La Patagonia, which probably explains her affinity for adventuring. When Valentina isn’t crushing some poor dude’s soul, you can find her shredding down Rucapillán.
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References & Sources
“General Provisions; Electric Bicycles.” Federal Register, 2 Nov. 2020, www.federalregister.gov/d/2020-22129.
National Park Service. “Electric Bicycles (E-Bikes) in National Parks - Biking (U.S. National Park Service).” Www.nps.gov, www.nps.gov/subjects/biking/e-bikes.htm.
Toll, Micah. “US National Parks Services Updates Regs, Allow E-Bikes up to 750W (with Exceptions).” Electrek, 3 Oct. 2020.