There are a few things to keep in mind when taking your e-bike out on the trail, though. PA State Parks and Forests prohibit the cutting, picking, digging, damaging or removing, in whole or in part, a living or dead tree, shrub, plant, or fungus except when gathering edible fruits, nuts, berries and fungi, in reasonable amounts, for one's own personal or family consumption. They are also prohibited on sidewalks, shared use paths (like the Pennsy Trail), and in state parks and forests. How to Change Rear Wheel on Electric Bike. The new regulations also set standards for e-bike equipment. 0000026788 00000 n Riding is also prohibited on local district hiking trails (yellow-blazed trails), State Forest Hiking Trails (orange blazed trails), and any trails located within State Forest Natural Areas. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn last Wednesday announced an internal policy on the use of electric bicycles (e-bikes) on DCNR lands is now final and effective immediately in state parks and forests. here is an updated PDF i found from this year. Called a moped, the bike must have an engine and pedals that drive it.

However, cyclists must wear a DOT protective helmet if they are under 18 years of age or are operating a third-class electric bicycle.

Electric bikes are legal on the streets of California, but you do not need a license or registration to operate them on the road. However, a 50cc motorcycle can travel at speeds of up to 60mph (96kph), while most will reach 40mph (65kph) well. 0000007712 00000 n Tahoe National Forest has quietly moved to allow pedal-assisted e-bikes to be used on 130 miles of trails previously considered non-motorized. Safety and courtesy should always be a priority when biking: Keystone State. Class 2 e-bikes can reach similar speeds but have an additional hand throttle, meaning they can be ridden like motorbikes and do not require pedal input to activate the motor (though most also have pedal assist systems to function like Class 1 e-bikes). Additionally, riders must yield to pedestrians and horseback riders, and be cautious when passing other cyclists. However, there are some states that have additional requirements for electric bikes. Under the Criminal Code, the definition of vehicle includes a bicycle, and anyone who uses an e-bicycle while intoxicated can be fined for reckless driving. link to How to Make a Bike Seat More Comfortable? Trails where mountain biking is prohibited include, but are not limited to: E-bikes are permitted on approved mountain bike trails and roads, provided they meet all the following standards: For more on DCNRs e-bike policy, please see All e-bikes continue to be prohibited everywhere on game lands, including on roads normally . Pennsylvania officially legalized ebikes in 2014. The e-bikes that make up Micahs current daily drivers are the $999 Lectric XP 2.0, the $1,095 Ride1Up Roadster V2, the $1,199 Rad Power Bikes RadMission, and the $3,299 Priority Current. The Pennsylvania Chapter of BHA represents a diverse and enthusiastic group of outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen who seek to protect and improve wild places in the Keystone State and beyond. State traffic laws and vehicle codes remain the sole domain of states and state legislatures. It all started with a bicycle I was riding as a child, but it now encompasses them all (mountain bicycles, road bikes, ride the ceiling cruisers). E-bikes are not allowed on sidewalks, however. Albright said he sells over 100 e-bikes per year, with the vast majority of his customers over 65 years old. Pine Creek Rail Trail is classified as a non-motorized trail. 0000026523 00000 n Both electric bicycles and traditional bicycles must adhere to the same rules of the road. Quality local journalism has never been more important. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. E-bikes. It all started with BMX bikes but as time went on it grew into something more than that every kind (mountain road cruisers). Assuming the continued robust growth of the e-bike industry, state legislatures will likely continue to grapple with defining e-bikes, clarifying operation, safety and equipment standards and further distinguishing from motorized vehicles such as mopeds and scooters. A 750 watt ebike is legal on state forest land . Electric bikes are only allowed on trails that are open to mountain biking, and the motor must be turned off when passing other hikers or horseback riders. All rights reserved (About Us). Thus, many states still have their own laws that categorize e-bikes with mopeds and other motorized vehicles, require licensure and registration, or do not enable them to be used on facilities such as bike lanes or multi-purposetrails. Public Lands & Waters Photo Contest, 2022 Winners, TAKE ACTION: Oppose Guaranteed Elk Tags for Large Absentee Landowners. There are even electric bikes that are specially designed for use on state game lands. Just look how much fun e-bikes can be on trails! Riders under 18 must wear a helmet. The national forests around California's Lake Tahoe are the latest flashpoint in . What should I look for when buying an electric bike? Owners of non-electric bicycles in Hawaii must register their bikes as well, but the fee is $15. E-bikes are allowed on all of its trails where riders will get about 3,000 feet of climbing on 14.3 miles of trails. Under current regulation, it is unlawful to use or operate any type of e-bike on Pennsylvania State Game Lands, unless used by individuals with mobility disabilities. Second, make sure your bike is equipped with proper tires for off-road riding. Sam Marshall, the president and CEO of the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania, raised questions about the speeds at which these bikes can travel. Maintain safe speeds at all times, consider trail and weather conditions, and always be cognizant of other users along the trail. E-bikes may also be allowed on sidewalks if expressly permitted by the relevant local regulations. Hunters are a vocal group and powerful lobbyists! A bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. Secondly, be aware that riding an electric bike on state game lands may impact the natural habitat there. In Delaware, Iowa and Nebraska, electric bicycles are defined within the existing definition of a bicycle, therefore there is not a distinction when it comes to operation on trails. Where are e-bikes currently allowed on national forests and grasslands? There is no law that specifically bans them and they are treated the same as regular bicycles. They also provide needed guidance to field units under existing Travel Management Rule definitions, and reinforce criteria needed to designate roads, trails and areas for e-bikes use. With Americans across the country feeling cooped up during a surging pandemic and looking for some safe outdoor recreation, bicycling has become a go-to activity. E-bikes are not allowed on highways with posted speed limits of 45 mph or higher. What are the rules for riding on the trails in Pennsylvania? BHA Podcast & Blast, Ep. Class 3 e-bikes are similar to Class 2 e-bikes, except that they can reach higher speeds of up to 28 mph (45 km/h). Always check with the trail management before riding your electric bike on a rail trail. Yes, you can ride an electric bike on public roads. All e-bikes must have brakes and lights that meet certain specifications, and the motor must cut off when the rider reaches 20 mph. Vermont specifies that motor-assisted bicycles are governed as bicycles and have the same rights and duties applicable to bicyclists. State Parks e-bike policy Most 50cc cars come with a restricted engine, which puts the bike at a top speed of 30mph (48kph). E-bikes are still prohibited except when used as a mobility tool for people with disabilities. Hawaii requires e-bikes to be registered and to pay a one-time fee of $30. Youll also need to have liability insurance for your e-bike. However, electric bicycle riders must wear a DOT-approved safety helmet if they are under the age of 18 or are operating a class three electric bike. Sure. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) recently announced that e-bikes are legal on PA public lands! The e-bike must not exceed 20 . Devices that meet the federal definition of an electric bicycle are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and must meet bicycle safety standards. Yes, even though your state may not call your e-bike a motor vehicle, it will still need to obey the traffic laws. +1 (385) 900-8093 Contact us today for your price quote! Canva. }'H. 0000008512 00000 n Hi, I am Jonathan Smith. The Forest Service finalized its directives that clarify how e-bikes are managed on national forests and grasslands. Electric bicycles simply open the door to get more people on two wheels. Cycling bikes are fast paced, which can be addictive, causing riders to lose interest. State parks in North Carolina allow e-bikes on all trails where traditional bikes are allowed. They broaden the types of people who can ride bikes.. 26" E-Bike Himiway Fat Tire Cruiser. Users should not assume that trails open to e-bikes include e-bike charging stations. Bill seeks to restrict states access to perpetual conservation easements. It reclassifies electric bicycles as non-motorized bicycles on national park land, removing them from the category of dirt bikes, motorcycles and other gas-powered single or dual-track vehicles. Are there age restrictions on riding an electric bike in Pennsylvania? But perhaps by 20 lb (9 kg). The average bike and rider is going to be somewhere around 200 lb (91 kg) anyways, so were talking about a difference of under 10% in most cases. E-bikes are permitted on the Pine Creek Rail Trail, provided they meet the specifications above. Yea, its electric. To be street legal, your e-bike must be registered and titled with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). The new law allows all three classes of e-bikes to ride on cycling trails in national parks, though Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes are not allowed to use the throttle control. 0000022228 00000 n E-Bikes in Pennsylvania State Parks and Forests, Bureau of Facility Design and Construction, Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council, Cross-country ski trails (blue-blazed trails), Many trails connecting to State Forest Hiking Trails, Do not exceed 20 miles-per-hour using the motor. Contents And finally, be prepared for a workout electric bikes can be heavier than regular bicycles, so youll want to be in good shape before heading out! Some states, including Alabama and Alaska, that define e-bikes in some manner still nonetheless require an operators license to ride an e-bike. Under classes I and II, the motor does not provide assistance once the rider reaches 20 miles per hour; under Class III, the motor could provide support up to 28 miles per hour. The Pennsylvania Chapter supports the use of e-bikes by the general public on public land only on designated motorized routes. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission's website, "under current regulation, it is unlawful to use or operate any type of e-bike on State game lands, unless used by individuals with . Specifically, on November 28, 2022, DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn executed the Department's final policy as it relates to the use of e-bikes on certain PA public lands. Were cycling enthusiasts that enjoy being able to ride farther and explore deeper thanks to our e-bikes, and yet we have often been excluded from entering some of the best cycling areas in the country, and perhaps the world. Hawaii requires e-bikes to be registered and to pay a one-time fee of $30. Electric bikes are allowed on most rail trails in the United States. In California, Delaware and New Mexico, riders under 18 must wear a helmet. Called a moped, the bike must have an engine and pedals that drive it. Only two states, Florida Mississippi, currently have no max power limit for electric bikes. State legislation has focused on three dynamics: The District of Columbia (D.C.) and 44states in some manner define an electric bicycle: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. A bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour and is equipped with a speedometer. In New Jersey, riders under 17 must wear a helmet. * Class II : (Legal to ride in PA State Parks, State Forest Land, and PA State Game Lands!) 1 Resources for Planning A Bicycle Trip on Public Lands. 7 0 obj <> endobj xref Before you can ride legally, there are a number of basic requirements that you must meet to get your Pennsylvania motorcycle license. That includes most roads, except for limited access highways like interstates. E-bike users should check the guidelines for their destination before they go. ), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 mph. The federal law permits e-bikes to be powered by the motor alone (a throttle-assist e-bike), or by a combination of motor and human power (a pedal-assist e-bike).

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What states are electric bikes legal? . In West Virginia, riders under 15 must wear a helmet and, in New York, riders under 14 must wear a helmet. E-bikes are permitted for use on approved mountain bike trails on property managed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. State forest roads and trails that are In. Please enable scripts and reload this page. 3 laws of reflection of light; south berwick, maine trick or treat 2021 The Forest Service is committed to listening to the people we serve to better understand their needs as well as providing them seamless experiences across boundaries as allowed by law. This happened long before there were class designations. In order to operate an electric bike on public roads and trails, you must follow the same rules as other cyclists. When I say passionate, I mean it. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service is announcing that internal guidance on how future e-bike use is managed on national forests and grasslands has been finalized. He said he supports the bill overall. Eh\-8 -~-=ONcyFv'lN:mjbUpe^u!F*P[7{.nn'zlu4z}FxS#QsDCdKa~a"j QGcYY9@l~E\aUNg%c8*-1pV-G E-bikes are allowedon trails already open to traditional bicycle usage as long as users follow guidelines consistent with the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code that e-bikes: E-bikes can be used on DCNR-managed trails where traditional bikes are allowed. Bicycles are not permitted on freeways in Pennsylvania without permission of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Additionally, electric bike riders must stay on designated trails at all times and follow all other rules and regulations that apply to mountain biking in general. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Additionally, in South Dakota, any passenger on a class three e-bike, regardless of age, must wear a helmet. Thats the difference between a pedal cyclist who kept his or her new years resolution and one who didnt. A bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. In New Jerseys case, the definition only includes the first two tiers of classification. E-bikes bring new users to forests, grasslands, USDA Forest Service Issues Guidance to Manage Future E-Bike Use on National Forests and Grasslands. The 1000w electric bike travels about 35 mph (56.32 km / h) on flat ground. Designations involve appropriate environmental analysis, public involvement, and local decision-making. Riders should be aware of the battery storage capacity of their e-bike and available charging options.

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