USFS travel-management data · Updated June 2026
E-Bike Trail Rules on National Forest Land
On National Forest System land, e-bikes are legally motor vehicles. Under U.S. Forest Service policy (36 CFR 212; FSM 7700), an e-bike of any class may be ridden only on routes that are designated for motor-vehicle use or specifically designated for e-bike use — not on every trail where a conventional (non-motorized) mountain bike is allowed.
Class 1
Pedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle.
Class 2
Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).
Class 3
Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.
E-bike rules by state
16,403 trail segments record Class 1 e-bike access across the 39 states covered.
Idaho2,080 Class 1 · 7,525 mi
7 national forests
Colorado989 Class 1 · 4,135 mi
7 national forests
Montana879 Class 1 · 3,239 mi
7 national forests
California1,513 Class 1 · 2,361 mi
18 national forests
Utah1,191 Class 1 · 3,370 mi
5 national forests
Wisconsin74 Class 1 · 415 mi
1 national forests
New Mexico325 Class 1 · 758 mi
5 national forests
Virginia39 Class 1 · 171 mi
1 national forests
Oregon1,756 Class 1 · 1,860 mi
12 national forests
Arizona169 Class 1 · 614 mi
6 national forests
North Carolina43 Class 1 · 76.1 mi
1 national forests
Michigan3,221 Class 1 · 2,332 mi
3 national forests
Missouri82 Class 1 · 114 mi
1 national forests
Nevada1,810 Class 1 · 1,151 mi
1 national forests
Ohio62 Class 1 · 134 mi
1 national forests
Wyoming169 Class 1 · 617 mi
3 national forests
South Dakota317 Class 1 · 545 mi
1 national forests
Pennsylvania49 Class 1 · 163 mi
1 national forests
Vermont1 Class 1 · 8.3 mi
1 national forests
Minnesota583 Class 1 · 867 mi
2 national forests
Indiana0 Class 1 · 0 mi
1 national forests
New Hampshire130 Class 1 · 756 mi
1 national forests
Georgia6 Class 1 · 7.1 mi
1 national forests
Washington94 Class 1 · 367 mi
5 national forests
Arkansas81 Class 1 · 255 mi
2 national forests
Alaska304 Class 1 · 508 mi
2 national forests
North Dakota0 Class 1 · 0 mi
1 national forests
West Virginia0 Class 1 · 0 mi
1 national forests
Texas0 Class 1 · 0 mi
1 national forests
Nebraska6 Class 1 · 14.9 mi
1 national forests
Kentucky335 Class 1 · 76 mi
2 national forests
Louisiana7 Class 1 · 153 mi
1 national forests
Florida81 Class 1 · 252 mi
1 national forests
Alabama7 Class 1 · 39.8 mi
1 national forests
Illinois0 Class 1 · 0 mi
1 national forests
Mississippi0 Class 1 · 0 mi
1 national forests
Puerto Rico0 Class 1 · 0 mi
1 national forests
South Carolina0 Class 1 · 0 mi
1 national forests
Tennessee0 Class 1 · 0 mi
1 national forests
Frequently asked questions
- Are e-bikes allowed on national forest trails?
- On National Forest System land, e-bikes are legally motor vehicles. Under U.S. Forest Service policy (36 CFR 212; FSM 7700), an e-bike of any class may be ridden only on routes that are designated for motor-vehicle use or specifically designated for e-bike use — not on every trail where a conventional (non-motorized) mountain bike is allowed. So an e-bike is not automatically allowed everywhere a conventional mountain bike is.
- What are Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes?
- Class 1: Pedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle. Class 2: Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling). Class 3: Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.
- Is a Class 1 e-bike treated like a regular mountain bike?
- Not on Forest Service land. Even pedal-assist Class 1 e-bikes are classified as motor vehicles, so access depends on whether the trail carries an e-bike or motorized designation — not on whether conventional bikes are allowed.
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