FSM 7700 and 7710 E-bikes #ORMS-2619

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 public comment form, please click here: https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/CommentInput?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.



To download all letters in the Reading Room, please click the Download All Letters button. For larger downloads, you will be prompted to enter your email address and a link to the download will be sent to you once the zip file has been generated.


First Name search tooltip Organization Name search tooltip
Last Name search tooltip Keyword search
 


Check All Download Checked Letters
Results Per Page:
 DownloadAuthor NameOrganization NameDate SubmittedSize

Other (E-bikes)

 Ruth, Lisa Back Country Horsemen of South Carolina10/26/20201 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Morio, Matt  10/26/20202 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Lang, Katherine  10/26/20201 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Willich, Dameon  10/26/20201 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Allen, Andrew  10/26/20202 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Giba, Gillian  10/26/20201 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Jackson, Ted  10/26/202019 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Pimentel, David  10/26/20202 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Miller, Tina and Kirk  10/26/20201 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Nelson, Matthew Arizona Trail Association10/26/2020233 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Winter, Ryan  10/26/20201 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Hansen, Marcee  10/26/20201 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Neumann, Ken  10/26/20201 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 keller, petra  10/26/20201 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Pellegrini, Sheri  10/26/20201 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Haan, Wendy  10/26/20201 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Galliett, Kate  10/26/20201 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 White, Lynn  10/26/20201 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Bain, Liz  10/26/20201 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Herbert, Brian  10/26/20201 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Kennedy, Jon  10/26/20202 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Clark, Victoria  10/26/20202 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Kvernenes, Karen  10/26/20201 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Fussell, Rachel  10/26/20201 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
 Rosso, Robert  10/26/20201 KB [id:3567]Other (E-bikes) (Total Letters: 8705)
Displaying items 1026 - 1050 of 8564

Download Checked Letters





Disclaimer: Letters that may contain proprietary or sensitive resource information, or that may be otherwise sensitive, are automatically withheld from displaying in the reading room pending human review. Letters received, but not accessible here, will still be considered and included as part of the record for this project. Most flagged letters are cleared for posting within a few days of being received. Posting may also be delayed for comments not submitted via the web form (e.g., email, mail or fax).