Oregon State Parks Will Further Welcome (Certain) E-Bikes

E-bike enthusiasts celebrated a landmark victory on April 23: Certain varieties of their pedal-assist bikes will be allowed greater access in Oregon State Parks beginning July 1.

It’s an important precedent, as e-bikes are still not allowed on singletrack trails in the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests. There, e-bikers have to stick to trails and roads sanctioned for motorized vehicles.

The new state park rule will allow e-bikes on muti-use trails where conventional bicycles are allowed unless specifically restricted, according to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission. Presently, e-bikes are only allowed on some trails and paths that are 8 feet or wider. After July 1, Class I e-bikers can also ride along the Oregon coastal shoreline, but only on firm, wet sand.

Class I e-bikes are throttle-less, pedal-assist e-bikes that tap out at 20 mph. Class III e-bikes are similar, yet their speed is capped at 28 mph. Class II e-bikes involves a throttle and a 20 mph speed cap.

The state park ruling also includes stronger, clearer language for safe operation and required caution around myriad other users, including folks with children and equestrians.

Sterling McCord, co-owner at Bend Electric Bikes, was stoked about the revised e-bike rules. He hopes the decision will help tip the balance for folks considering e-biking.

“Parks are where it’s at — let’s get them open,” he said with a laugh. McCord added that he respects the time OPRC took in its evaluation because, “public land is such a precious treat — you don’t want to mess up.”

Oregon State Parks are clustered along the Pacific coastline and around the Portland Metropolitan Area. Whether e-biking will be allowed at Central Oregon’s most-known state park — Smith Rock — has yet to be decided.

Before the e-bike green light on July 1, the Oregon Parks & Recreation Department will have posted e-bike notices on respective state park webpages and physical signage after consulting with park managers about whether e-biking makes sense for their park, said Stefanie Knowlton, OPRD public information officer.

Presently in Central Oregon, pedal-assist e-bikes are welcome at the Redmond Radlands and the Madras East Hills Network, both of which are maintained by the Central Oregon Trail Alliance. The volunteer nonprofit, which builds and maintains trails, noted that upkeep needs in e-bike-friendly trail systems compared to other systems that don’t allow pedal-assist e-bikes. COTA has also not received reports of rider conflicts, according to an updated April 28 announcement.

While Central Oregon e-bike riders can’t presently ride on Deschutes National Forest trails, there’s reason to think that might change.

A potential allowance for pedal-assist e-bikes began winding its way through the DFS approval process in July 2024. The Forest Service proposed to lift the ban on pedal-assist e-bikes through approximately 160 miles of system trails and paved paths throughout Phil’s Trail Complex, Peterson Ridge Trail, Wanoga and Sunriver locations. The selected trails already experience high bike traffic. A DNF map shows the proposed e-bike trails, which are denoted in purple.

Local e-bike enthusiasts and advocates have voiced their support for the e-bike proposal. Sara Perry, who works with Cog Wild, a local mountain bike tour and shuttle business, told the Source Weekly in July 2024 that some folks prefer e-bikes for various reasons — they have an injury or ailment, or they are advancing in years yet want to keep up with friends and family on trail rides.

“It does allow access for people that need it,” Perry said. “I think that accessibility is cool for a lot of people that would otherwise struggle taking a longer ride.”

The Deschutes Forest Service’s objection period for pedal-assist e-bikes is expected to begin in June. The decision will likely happen in August, with any implementation estimated in September, according to the agency.