The U.S. Forest Service has proposed a major e-bike trail access plan covering 161.4 miles of trails in Oregon’s Deschutes National Forest. This proposal, part of the evolving Deschutes National Forest e-bike policy, has sparked intense debate between conservation groups and recreational enthusiasts. The draft decision would allow Class 1 pedal-assist bikes on 67 existing natural surface trails within the Sisters and Bend-Fort Rock Ranger Districts. Oregon BHA members strongly oppose this plan, demonstrated by their 231-signature petition. These trails serve as vital winter range habitats for mule deer and elk populations that already face habitat fragmentation challenges. The forest’s non-motorized trail system has seen unauthorized e-bike activity. This illegal use raises serious concerns about wildlife effects and creates enforcement difficulties in this pristine natural area.
Forest Service Proposes E-Bike Access to 161 Miles of Trails
Deschutes National Forest revealed its detailed proposal in early July 2024. The plan will allow Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes on select trails throughout Central Oregon. They want to open 161.4 miles of trails spread across 67 existing trails in popular recreational spots like Peterson Ridge, Phil’s Trail network, Wanoga, and Sunriver.
The forest officials shared three main reasons for this change. They want to create better recreational opportunities for different users, which helps older riders and people with physical limitations. The plan also deals with potential user conflicts by carefully picking routes that mountain bikers already use heavily. These routes won’t include trails meant for hikers or horse riders. The proposal also keeps up with new trends in outdoor recreation technology and changing technology in the e-bike industry.
“Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes provide assistance only when the rider pedals,” forest officials explained in their announcement, addressing the question of what is a class 1 e bike. “Assistance stops when the bike reaches 20 miles per hour”. The proposal strictly bans modified e-bikes that don’t meet these rules, adhering to the e-bike classification system.
The implementation follows a clear timeline. The public comment period ended July 31, 2024. The Forest Service will review feedback before starting an objection period around June 2025. They expect to make their final decision by August 2025 and start implementation in September 2025.
The plan works with existing trails instead of building new ones. It also has updates to the Motor Vehicle Use Map that show where riders can use e-bikes. This marks a big change from current rules that only let e-bikes use motorized vehicle routes in the forest, addressing the question of whether e bikes are allowed in national forests.
The Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA) maintains many of these trails and supports allowing Class 1 ebikes. Their experience with similar systems at Madras East Hills and Redmond Radlands shows “no significant issues” at these locations, particularly regarding trail wear and maintenance.
Conservation Groups Challenge E-Bike Expansion Plans
Conservation organizations have been quick to oppose the Deschutes National Forest e-bike proposal due to concerns about wildlife protection and habitat preservation. The Oregon Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) submitted formal comments with a petition that gathered 231 signatures against allowing e-bikes on non-motorized trails.
The proposal includes trails that run through winter range habitats where deer and elk migrate during harsh winters. These winter ranges in central Oregon’s lower elevations play a vital role in mule deer’s survival as they travel long distances to escape snow-covered areas.
“The trails at stake aren’t merely recreational,” noted BHA representatives. “They weave through crucial habitats necessary for wildlife already facing severe pressures from habitat fragmentation.”
Human disturbance’s effect on wildlife remains the conservationists’ main concern. Mule deer avoid disturbed areas and move into smaller or marginal habitats with fewer resources. This concentration leads to increased disease transmission, higher predation risk, and overused forage plants. An environmental assessment of the proposal is crucial to understand these impacts fully.
Critics also doubt the Forest Service’s ability to enforce e-bike rules. They believe weak enforcement will lead to illegal use that damages critical habitats and creates unauthorized motorized routes in backcountry areas. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the U.S. Forest Service e-bike policy and its implementation.
Don Leet, a longtime Bend mountain biker, strongly opposes the rule changes. He believes Class 1 e-bikes are too powerful and fast to share trails safely with traditional mountain bikes. The current debate reminds him of public lands discussions 60 years ago when the 1964 Wilderness Act banned motorized vehicles in wilderness areas.
Environmental experts note that buildings, roads, trails, and infrastructure damage mule deer’s habitat and disrupt their travel paths. More human activity in these areas leads to increased wildlife disturbance that affects deer’s body condition, survival, and population growth. The environmental impact of increased e-bike access is a key concern in this debate.
E-Bike Supporters Defend Mountain Trail Access Rights
Scientific evidence and personal experiences drive e-bike supporters to push for expanded use in the Deschutes National Forest. Dacia Kailin, a 28-year-old Bend resident, learned about her genetic cardiac condition at 19. Electric bikes Bend Oregon gave her a new chance at life. “It would mean I can ride a bike with my husband and with my friends,” she explained after trying an e-bike her parents loaned her.
Research backs the position of e-bike supporters. The International Mountain Bicycling Association ran a controlled field study that compared soil displacement and erosion among traditional mountain bikes, Class 1 e mountain bikes, and motorcycles. The study found minimal differences between traditional and electric mountain bikes, addressing concerns about trail wear.
Cycling plays a vital economic role in Oregon. The state’s outdoor recreation sector added $16 billion to the economy and supported 192,000 jobs in 2022. Bicycling alone generated over $1.5 billion in total spending in 2019, making it the second most lucrative outdoor activity. The growing popularity of ebike rental Bend Oregon services further contributes to this economic impact.
E-bikes help include people from a variety of Oregon communities. State data shows that 5% of Oregon residents rode e-bikes on both local and non-local trails in 2022. BIPOC Oregon residents use e-bikes at rates more than 10% higher than the state average.
“Making restrictions against the use of Class 1 e-MTBs is discriminatory not to young, reckless trailblazers, but to older, disabled, intermediate riders that simply need electric assist to enjoy trails in the same way others get to,” argued Gary Sherwood, an e-bike supporter. This argument is central to the debate on whether e bikes are allowed on mountain bike trails.
Kevin Hopper, well-known in Bend’s mountain biking community, believes Class 1 e-bikes should be allowed but understands the concerns. “One of the greatest fears people have is that e-bikes will bring people to a sport that otherwise wouldn’t do it,” he noted, adding, “Etiquette is etiquette… Overuse and abuse quite often comes down to education”. This highlights the importance of rider education and trail etiquette in managing e-bike access.
E-bike supporters highlight the international perspective. “In Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries, there are little to no restrictions on the use of e-MTBs on any types of trails,” with no major negative effects on environment or society reported. This global context provides valuable insights for shaping national forest ebike rules.
Back at the trailhead
The Deschutes National Forest e-bike proposal aims to strike a delicate balance between more recreational access and protecting wildlife habitats. Scientists have found minimal differences in trail impact between regular and electric mountain bikes. However, conservation groups have raised legitimate concerns about disrupting wildlife, especially when you have mule deer and elk in their vital winter ranges.
Cycling brings $16 billion to Oregon’s economy, yet challenges persist with habitat fragmentation and enforcement issues. Local riders like Dacia Kailin share personal stories that show how e-bikes help people with physical limitations enjoy the outdoors.
The Forest Service plans to announce their final decision by August 2025, which could influence policies across the country. This landmark case shows how public land management becomes more complex as technology advances and people just need more outdoor activities. The final outcome will affect both trail access and create new standards to balance conservation with recreation opportunities. It will also set a precedent for electric mountain biking regulations in other national forests.
As the debate continues, stakeholders must consider various factors, including trail design, signage, and usage patterns. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process will play a crucial role in assessing the environmental impact of the proposed changes. Ultimately, the decision will need to balance the benefits of increased access with the potential risks to wildlife and habitats, while also considering the evolving landscape of e-bike technology and outdoor recreation trends.