Trying to figure out if e bikes are legal to use behind closed forest service gates with no motor vehicle use signs? Montana and Idaho.
Does anyone know?
Does anyone know?
E bikes
- Thread starter wapiti11
- Start date
The new Eastman bowhunting mag has a gear article about using e bikes on trails closed to motorized vehicles. I not so sure that's legal though. Would like to see documentation as everything I have found says no.
QUOTE=kidoggy;222286]I am not sure but I doubt it.
though I would expect a government entity to be exactly that stupid when imposing restrictions[/QUOTE]
QUOTE=kidoggy;222286]I am not sure but I doubt it.
though I would expect a government entity to be exactly that stupid when imposing restrictions[/QUOTE]
hoshour
Veteran member
I would call the National Forest Service office for the National Forests in question
Dan Pickar mentioned this group in his article and their website gives links to local e-bike shops that will probably know
http://www.peopleforbikes.org/get-local
Dan Pickar mentioned this group in his article and their website gives links to local e-bike shops that will probably know
http://www.peopleforbikes.org/get-local
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JimP
Administrator
That's what I have been finding. Maybe Brain Barney from Eastmans and the writer of the article titled Pandoras gear box in the new bowhunting journal can provide further info. on the subject. Thanks
ore hunter
Very Active Member
- Jul 25, 2014
- 699
- 114
I bought the Rambo 750 just this year,,yes are are limited areas,,most blm and nat forest consider it a motorized vehicle by the rules,,but its totally quiet compared to a atv.as far as I know,because it is a bicycle by federal designation you are not required to pay for a atv sticker from my understanding in my state,,check with your particular though.
Thank for the reply. That is what I have been finding out also. Now trying to figure out why Eastmans ran that article stating e bikes are allowed on trails closed to motorized use.......hmmmm
shootbrownelk
Veteran member
From what I've been told by Forest rangers....No Motorized vehicles means just that. No motors electric or fuel. That's on National forests.
JimP
Administrator
The states have nothing to say about it unless you are on state land. National Forest is ruled by the Forest Service.
tim
Veteran member
WapitiBob
Veteran member
It's cut n dried, no grey area, and they're absolutely illegal. Easily found with minimal research.
Forest Service:
File Code: 2300/2350/7700
Subject: Electric Bikes and Trail Management
The Forest Service’s Travel Management Rule (TMR) and E-Bikes:
The TMR defines “motor vehicle” as “any vehicle which is self-propelled, other than:
(1) a vehicle operated on rails; and
(2) any wheelchair or mobility device, including one that is battery-powered, that is designed solely for use by a mobility-impaired person for locomotion, and that is suitable for use in an indoor pedestrian area.”
36 CFR 212.1. E-bikes have a motor, thereby are self propelled, and are not covered by the exceptions in the definition.
Therefore, e-bikes are motor vehicles and are subject to regulation under the TMR, which requires designation of National Forest System (NFS) roads, NFS trails, and areas on
NFS lands for motor vehicle use. 36 CFR 212.51(a).
Direction on e-bikes was included in a response in the Federal Register notice for the final over-snow vehicle rule.
The response states: “New technologies that merge bicycles and motors, such as e-bikes, are considered motor vehicles under §212.1 of the TMR.” 80 Fed. Reg. 4503 (Jan. 28, 2015).
BLM:
Information Bulletin No. 2015-060
From: Acting Assistant Director, Resources and Planning
An electronic bicycle, also known as an e-bike, is a bicycle with an integrated electric motor. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) classifies e-bikes as motorized vehicles, as defined at 43 CFR 8340.5 “(a) Off-road vehicle means any motorized vehicle capable of, or designed for, travel on or immediately over land, water, or other natural terrain, excluding: (1) any non-amphibious registered motorboat; (2) any military, fire, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle while being used for emergency purposes; (3) any vehicle whose use is expressly authorized by the authorized officer, or otherwise officially approved; (4) vehicles in official use; and (5) any combat or combat support vehicle when used in times of national defense emergencies.”
Forest Service:
File Code: 2300/2350/7700
Subject: Electric Bikes and Trail Management
The Forest Service’s Travel Management Rule (TMR) and E-Bikes:
The TMR defines “motor vehicle” as “any vehicle which is self-propelled, other than:
(1) a vehicle operated on rails; and
(2) any wheelchair or mobility device, including one that is battery-powered, that is designed solely for use by a mobility-impaired person for locomotion, and that is suitable for use in an indoor pedestrian area.”
36 CFR 212.1. E-bikes have a motor, thereby are self propelled, and are not covered by the exceptions in the definition.
Therefore, e-bikes are motor vehicles and are subject to regulation under the TMR, which requires designation of National Forest System (NFS) roads, NFS trails, and areas on
NFS lands for motor vehicle use. 36 CFR 212.51(a).
Direction on e-bikes was included in a response in the Federal Register notice for the final over-snow vehicle rule.
The response states: “New technologies that merge bicycles and motors, such as e-bikes, are considered motor vehicles under §212.1 of the TMR.” 80 Fed. Reg. 4503 (Jan. 28, 2015).
BLM:
Information Bulletin No. 2015-060
From: Acting Assistant Director, Resources and Planning
An electronic bicycle, also known as an e-bike, is a bicycle with an integrated electric motor. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) classifies e-bikes as motorized vehicles, as defined at 43 CFR 8340.5 “(a) Off-road vehicle means any motorized vehicle capable of, or designed for, travel on or immediately over land, water, or other natural terrain, excluding: (1) any non-amphibious registered motorboat; (2) any military, fire, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle while being used for emergency purposes; (3) any vehicle whose use is expressly authorized by the authorized officer, or otherwise officially approved; (4) vehicles in official use; and (5) any combat or combat support vehicle when used in times of national defense emergencies.”
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Wapitibob, thanks for the post. That is exactly what I have found, but I thought maybe I missed something after reading Brian Barneys article in the new bowhunting journal he said he rides tens of miles in the backcountry on his ebike. I also live in Montana and would like to know where he found it legal to ride his ebike in the backcountry? Maybe someone from Eastmans will respond.
JimP
Administrator
That's the thing, people are riding them where ever they want to go and most people that see them think that they are a regular bike. Nice and quiet.
WapitiBob
Veteran member
I will turn in every one I see if they're being used in a non motorized area. There are areas where they're legal but how much area depends on the state. Utah is real friendly to atv and cycles. Wyoming used to have trails that went for miles that were restricted to foot, horses, or cycles. No atv.
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tim
Veteran member
I know I'll upset people with my response but I've got to say it, why do people always try to find ways of getting around the intention of laws and rules? For all forest service property, the roads are closed to all motorized vehicles including ebikes, that's a federal forest service rule not a Fish, Wildlife and Parks rule.
As of March 4, 2016
See this link for the forest service policy letter from 2016.
This is the Internet, why is it so hard for people to do their own research, I guess it's just that "short cut/break the rules" mentality that's so common nowadays.
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