Advancements in e-bike technology, tremendous growth in the popularity of this recreational activity, and rapidly increasing opportunities for e-bike use on other federal lands have prompted federal agencies such as the USDA Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service to examine current authority, regulations, and policy governing the use of e-bikes. Federal land management agencies are considering options for facilitating and expanding access for e-bikes use. The Forest Service is currently requesting public input on proposed updates to directives that clarify how e-bikes are managed on national forests whereby creating an e-bike definition and by adopting the three classes of e-bikes for designation as motor vehicles. These directive updates provide needed guidance to field units under existing Travel Management Rule definitions, and establish criteria to designate roads, trails and areas for e-bikes use. 3/31/2022: The Forest service is issuing final directives, Forest Service Manual (FSM) 7700 Travel Management – Zero Code and FSM 7710 Travel Management – Travel Planning, that clarify how electric bicycles (e-bikes) are managed on National Forest System lands. The directives add a definition of e-bikes as a class of motor vehicle, including separate definitions for Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes; establish criteria for consideration in designating roads, trails, and areas for e-bike use that are not currently designated for motor vehicle use; update the definition of “bicycle”, and align Forest Service policy with DOI agencies by adding e-bike definitions and requiring site-specific decision-making and environmental analysis at the local level. The directives were published for public comment with a 30-day public comment period, from September 24, 2020 through October 26, 2020. Over 9,140 public comments were received on the proposed directives. Approximately 6,020 were unique letters; with only 5% providing substantive concerns. The substantive comments received did not change Forest Service policy and direction, that is, the Forest Service will continue to manage all classes of e-bikes as motor vehicles and that decisions to allow e-bikes on non-motorized trails will require local-level decision making as required by the Travel Management Rule.
The Forest Service values public participation. Communications from the public regarding this project, including commenters' names and contact information, will become part of the public record. Comments, including anonymous comments, will be accepted at any time. However, comments posted after the close of a designated comment period may not be able to be given full consideration.
We have included both the full directives, showing significant changes in yellow highlight, and a summary document of the changes for each directive. We are seeking comment only on the changes to the directives and not on the full text of the directives.
*Please note: the links in the Federal Register Notice were inadvertently switched between the reading room and the public comment form. If you are trying to reach the reading room, please click here: https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/ReadingRoom?project=ORMS-2619
3/31/2022: The Forest service is issuing final directives, Forest Service Manual (FSM) 7700 Travel Management – Zero Code and FSM 7710 Travel Management – Travel Planning, that clarify how electric bicycles (e-bikes) are managed on National Forest System lands. The directives add a definition of e-bikes as a class of motor vehicle, including separate definitions for Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes; establish criteria for consideration in designating roads, trails, and areas for e-bike use that are not currently designated for motor vehicle use; update the definition of “bicycle”, and align Forest Service policy with DOI agencies by adding e-bike definitions and requiring site-specific decision-making and environmental analysis at the local level. The directives were published for public comment with a 30-day public comment period, from September 24, 2020 through October 26, 2020. Over 9,140 public comments were received on the proposed directives. Approximately 6,020 were unique letters; with only 5% providing substantive concerns. The substantive comments received did not change Forest Service policy and direction, that is, the Forest Service will continue to manage all classes of e-bikes as motor vehicles and that decisions to allow e-bikes on non-motorized trails will require local-level decision making as required by the Travel Management Rule.
Penny Wu
