Updated October 2026
Are E-Bikes Allowed in Washington National Forests?
Mountain bike
711mi
designated on 184 segments
8% of mapped trail
E-bike
463miClass 1
designated on 104 segments
5% of mapped trail
Mountain bike
711mi
designated on 184 segments
8% of mapped trail
E-bike
463miClass 1
designated on 104 segments
- Class 1463 mi
- Class 2463 mi
- Class 3463 mi
Treated as a motor vehicle: ridden only where designated.
- National forests
- 5
- Class 2 segments
- 104
- Class 3 segments
- 104
Both lanes share one scale: the 9,357 mi of National Forest System trail mapped in Washington's 5 national forests. From USFS National Forest System Trails records, updated October 2026.
On National Forest land in Washington, e-bikes are treated as motor vehicles. USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 104 trail segments (463 mi), Class 2 on 104, and Class 3 on 104 across 5 national forests. Everywhere else, an e-bike is allowed only where motor-vehicle use is allowed.
E-bike access by class across Washington
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 class | Trail segments with access | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1designatedPedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle. | 104 | 463 mi |
| Class 2designatedThrottle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling). | 104 | 463 mi |
| Class 3designatedPedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle. | 104 | 463 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest | 53 | 53 | 53 | 78 |
| Colville National Forest | 45 | 45 | 45 | 80 |
| Olympic National Forest | 5 | 5 | 5 | 25 |
| Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Are e-bikes allowed in Washington 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 Washington, USFS data records Class 1 access on 104 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 Washington forest trails?
- Rarely. Class 2 access is recorded on only 104 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.
See also: Washington mountain-bike trail overview · E-bike rules by state