Cape Cod National Seashore is among the units of the National Park System expanding access for eBikes/NPS
Owners of eBike are gaining more access in the National Park System, as parks are changing their rules under order from Interior Secretary David Bernhardt.
Here's a look at some of the recent parks that expanded eBike access:
New River Gorge National River, Gauley River National Recreation Area, and Bluestone National Scenic River (West Virginia)
"The use of eBikes, in compliance with applicable adopted state law will be allowed on park roads opened to motor vehicle use (classes 1, 2, and 3). eBikes will now be allowed the Stone Cliff Trail (classes 1 and 2 only). Due to public safety concerns, eBikes will not be allowed on other trails where traditional bikes are currently allowed."
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio)
"The (superintendent's compendium now includes authorization to allow class 1 and class 2 eBikes on all routes open to traditional bicycles, including the Towpath Trail and its connector trails. Class1 and class 2 eBikes provide assistance to the operator only up to 20 miles per hour. Class 3 eBikes which can provide assistance up to 28 miles per hour are not allowed on park trails."
Additionally, the park will maintain its prohibition of eBikes on the East Rim mountain bike trails.
As part of the park’s outreach on this issue, the public was invited to comment on how the new eBike policy may affect current conditions. Of 146 comments received, 102 raised concerns about speed already being too high on the towpath.
“While the park has been educating trail users on towpath etiquette for some time, we were struck by the degree to which this continues to be an issue for users,” Superintendent Craig Kenkel said. “We really can and should do more. We are announcing a 15 mph speed limit for all bicycles on the bicycle trails with a limit of 5 mph in blind curves and while crossing bridges and boardwalks.”
Cape Cod National Seashore (Massachusetts)
Cape Cod National Seashore will allow eBikes along with traditional bicycles on park bicycle trails and fire roads.
Dinosaur National Monument (Colorado-Utah)
"Visitors to Dinosaur National Monument will be allowed to use eBikes where traditional bicycles are allowed. Bicycles and eBikes are allowed on paved and unpaved roads that are open to the public. Bicycles and eBikes are not allowed on any trails in the monument. There are no charging stations in the monument. This change in eBike policy applies to private and commercial use in the monument."
Mount Rainier National Park (Washington)
"eBikes are now allowed everywhere traditional bicycles are allowed in Mount Rainier National Park. This includes all park roads currently open to motor vehicles. eBikes possessing a motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p) on which the motor only assists with pedal propulsion are permitted on roads and trails that are currently open only to bicycles, including the Westside Road to Klapache Point and the Carbon River Road from the Carbon River Entrance to Ipsut Creek Campground."
Comments
Im happy to see this and its the right thing to do. I am also glad to see them restrict class 3 ebikes, it will only cause too many issues at this time.
Hooray for making these parks accessible to more of us!
I support the (thoughtful) expanded use of ebikes within the national parks. I consider this as supporting accessibility for all.
Very concerned about this. Some ebikes can go very fast, so may be a safety risk for walkers. Also, it could be the "camel's nose under the tent," a motorized vehicle allowed on paths that had been reserved for non-motorized users.
Bill, I can completely understand your concern. Unfortunately, at least in my opinion, its not about motorized vs non motorized. As was even brought up in the article, most people feel that even bikes can be too fast for certain locations. Safety, again in my opinion, is about speed thats appropriate for the situation. As was also mentioned, sometimes 20 mph is too much and sometimes 5mph is too much, it depends on the factors, just like driving a car. Thus the reason you can have a lamborghini and still have to go 25mph in a residential area.
I think its nice to see them focus on education and responsibilty first rather, rather than focusing on excluding forms of transportation for a few degenerates. Bicycles and ebikes can be just as appropriate as a horse or hiker, and ive seen hikers and horseback riders be irresposible too. I am a canoer and I can say that at times it feels like a lot of kayakers tend to be less resposible where I am from, but that doesnt mean I want them excluded.
Education is important, and I hope responsiblity wins out, or we might as well exclude everyone, everywhere, since there are bad apples everywhere. No one "owns" public lands, even the word "public" implies sharing to me. IMHO just being "first" doesnt mean "only". That just seems shortsighted and discriminatory to me....
Also, I really like the use of speed limits. One thing that I think that people fail to realize is that most ebikes have displays with the the current speed on them. This makes it even easier for them than a conventional bike to adhere to the speed limit.
Will someone please tell me how to get notices requesting public comment on the topic of e-bikes on federal lands including BLM and Forest Service. Or better yet, where do I look for published requests for public comment on this topic. Thanks very much!
You can find the NPS's position on public comment at this page (though it seems up to the individual park super):
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/biking/e-bikes.htm