Are e-bikes allowed in Sierra National Forest?

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. In Sierra National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 254 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 254 and 254 respectively.

Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Sierra National Forest trails?

No. Under USFS policy an e-bike of any class is a motor vehicle, even Class 1 pedal-assist. A trail being open to conventional bikes does not by itself permit e-bikes — the trail must carry an e-bike or motorized designation.

When are bikes open in Sierra National Forest?

Season windows vary by trail and elevation; check each trail's designation and current conditions with the ranger district.

USFS travel-management data · Updated June 2026

E-Bikes on Sierra National Forest Trails

In Sierra National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 254 trail segments (174 mi), Class 2 on 254, and Class 3 on 254. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 0 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.

254

Class 1 segments

174 mi

254

Class 2 segments

254

Class 3 segments

Conventional bike segments

0 mi

E-bike access by class

This forest has completed e-bike travel-management designations: the dataset records Class 1 access on more trail segments than it does for conventional bikes, because the e-bike fields were filled in comprehensively during that process.

E-bike access by class in Sierra National Forest, from USFS travel-management data
E-bike class	Definition	Trail segments with access	Miles
Class 1 designated	Pedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle.	254	174 mi
Class 2 designated	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	254	174 mi
Class 3 designated	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	254	174 mi

Trail-by-trail (largest bike trails)

Conventional-bike and Class 1 e-bike status with season windows, per USFS designation.

Trail	Miles	Bike	Class 1 e-bike	Season
Dusy - Ershim	29.12	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Aug–Nov
Swamp	12.56	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jul–Nov
Onion Springs	4.99	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Spanish	4.98	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jul–Nov
Bald Mountain	3.82	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	January, Mar–Dec
Bow Tie	3.21	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Nov
Brewer	3.02	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Nov
Cattle Mountain	2.87	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Strawberry Lake	2.33	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Nov
Coyote Lake	2.29	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Nov
Plain	2.25	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Stagecoach	1.77	Restricted	Allowed	January, Mar–Dec
Red Mountain	1.75	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Nov
Blackbird	1.69	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Aug–Dec
Ridgeline	1.68	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Dec
Red Top	1.46	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Green Mountain	1.36	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Mirror	1.36	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Nov
Shady	1.29	Restricted	Allowed	January, Mar–Dec
Windlass Ridge	1.24	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Nov
String	1.23	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Kamook	1.19	Restricted	Allowed	January, Mar–Dec
Swanee	1.1	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	January, Mar–Dec
Tri Tip	1.04	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Jun–Nov
Impah North	1.04	Restricted	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Fuller	1.04	Restricted	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Cascadel Point	0.94	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Barnes Mountain	0.92	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	May–Dec
Beasore Kate	0.91	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Mill Run	0.89	Restricted	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Welata	0.89	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	January, Mar–Dec
Deadman	0.84	Restricted	Allowed	January, Mar–Dec
Hail	0.82	Restricted	Allowed	January, Mar–Dec
Bend	0.77	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Goose	0.76	Restricted	Allowed	January, Mar–Dec
Chowchilla	0.74	Restricted	Allowed	January, Mar–Dec
House	0.74	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Whites	0.7	Restricted	Allowed	Apr–Dec
Ridge	0.69	Restricted	Allowed	January, Mar–Dec
Lower Bald	0.69	Accepted but discouraged	Allowed	Apr–Dec

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in Sierra National Forest?: 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. In Sierra National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 254 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 254 and 254 respectively.
Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on Sierra National Forest trails?: No. Under USFS policy an e-bike of any class is a motor vehicle, even Class 1 pedal-assist. A trail being open to conventional bikes does not by itself permit e-bikes — the trail must carry an e-bike or motorized designation.
When are bikes open in Sierra National Forest?: Season windows vary by trail and elevation; check each trail's designation and current conditions with the ranger district.