What's the difference between Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes on national forest trails?

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. On Forest Service land all three are motor vehicles regardless of class, so access depends on the trail's motorized designation.

Can I ride a Class 2 (throttle) e-bike on South Dakota forest trails?

Rarely. Class 2 access is recorded on only 317 segments statewide — most non-motorized singletrack that allows Class 1 still excludes throttle-assist Class 2 and 3 e-bikes. Verify with the managing ranger district.

Updated October 2026

Are E-Bikes Allowed in South Dakota National Forests?

Mountain bike

255mi

designated on 92 segments

19% of mapped trail

E-bike

545miClass 1

designated on 317 segments

41% of mapped trail

Mountain bike

255mi

designated on 92 segments

19% of mapped trail

E-bike

545miClass 1

designated on 317 segments

Class 1545 mi
Class 2545 mi
Class 3545 mi

Treated as a motor vehicle: ridden only where designated.

National forests: 1
Class 2 segments: 317
Class 3 segments: 317

Both lanes share one scale: the 1,334 mi of National Forest System trail mapped in South Dakota's 1 national forests. From USFS National Forest System Trails records, updated October 2026.

On National Forest land in South Dakota, e-bikes are treated as motor vehicles. USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 317 trail segments (545 mi), Class 2 on 317, and Class 3 on 317 across 1 national forests. Everywhere else, an e-bike is allowed only where motor-vehicle use is allowed.

Reviewed by CanIBikeHere Editorial Team · Updated Oct 15, 2026

E-bike access by class across South Dakota

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.

E-bike access by class in South Dakota national forests, from USFS travel-management data
E-bike class	Definition	Trail segments with access	Miles
Class 1designatedPedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle.	Pedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle.	317	545 mi
Class 2designatedThrottle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling).	317	545 mi
Class 3designatedPedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle.	317	545 mi

By national forest

Open a forest for its trail-by-trail e-bike breakdown and season windows.

National forest	Class 1	Class 2	Class 3	Bike trails
Black Hills National Forest	317	317	317	92

Frequently asked questions

Are e-bikes allowed in South Dakota national forests?: Only where designated. 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 South Dakota, USFS data records Class 1 access on 317 trail segments and Class 2/3 on far fewer. Check the specific forest before you ride.
What's the difference between Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes on national forest trails?: 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. On Forest Service land all three are motor vehicles regardless of class, so access depends on the trail's motorized designation.
Can I ride a Class 2 (throttle) e-bike on South Dakota forest trails?: Rarely. Class 2 access is recorded on only 317 segments statewide — most non-motorized singletrack that allows Class 1 still excludes throttle-assist Class 2 and 3 e-bikes. Verify with the managing ranger district.

E-bike rules in other states

Michigan

3,221 Class 1 segments

Idaho

2,080 Class 1 segments

Nevada

1,810 Class 1 segments

Oregon

1,756 Class 1 segments

California

1,513 Class 1 segments

Utah

1,191 Class 1 segments

South Dakota mountain biking