There are 62 National Parks and over 10,000 State Parks across the United States, as well as countless other public lands and beaches throughout the country. However, each park’s policy on bicycle usage — including electric-powered bikes — vary from state to state and park to park. But times are changing and for the better!

Electric-powered bikes (commonly referred to as ebikes) are gaining popularity around the country and therefore national parks and government agencies are reevaluating their policies (or lack thereof) for ebikes, including electric mountain bikes (eMTBs). In fact, the Department of Interior, which oversees the National Park Service and other federal lands, are taking steps to make ebikes completely legal on trails and areas in which traditional bikes are allowed on national parks across the country.

National parks have already evaluated the use of electric-powered bikes in response to the National Park Service’s policy outlined in August of 2019. A proposed ebike regulation for a formalized policy is now open for 60 days until June 8, 2020.

“The regulation would define the term ‘electric bicycle’ and allow superintendents to provide for e-bike use in a similar manner to the current e-bike policy,” according to the National Park Service website. “The NPS seeks meaningful public input on this rule. The intent of this action is to address an emerging technology in a manner that accommodates visitors and increases opportunities for the public to recreate within and travel through the National Park System, while at the same time protecting the resources and values that draw millions of visitors each year.”