On July 25, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources this week will outline a draft internal policy on the use of electric bicycles (e-bikes) on DCNR lands to the Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council for public comment.

An e-bike is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that assists the rider when they are  pedaling.

“The purpose of the policy is to provide guidance for the use of e-bikes on state parks and forests,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “On the lands it manages, DCNR will allow e-bikes on trails already open to traditional bicycle usage as long as users follow some guidelines.”

Dunn noted the guidelines consistent with the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code are that e-bikes:

-- Weigh no more than 100 pounds;

-- Do not exceed 20 miles-per-hour using the motor;

-- Have motors that do not exceed 750 watts; and

-- Have fully functional, operable pedals.

“E-bikes are increasingly popular as technology improves and the price drops,” Dunn said. “Because they make outdoor recreation accessible to more people we are updating our policy to provide those opportunities on our lands, while at the same time working to limit their impacts on other visitors and on our natural places.”

Other lands open to the public in Pennsylvania (such as federal lands, local parks, gamelands, and preserves) have different requirements related to e-bikes. E-bike users should check the guidelines for their destination before they go.

The policy, when adopted, will allow e-bikes to be used on DCNR-managed trails where traditional bikes are allowed. State forest roads and trails that are not open to biking which would also prohibit ebikes include:

-- Natural areas;

-- Designated hiking trails (blazed with yellow or orange); and

-- Trails or roads specifically marked closed to biking.

E-bikes will be allowed on DCNR-managed motorized trails and public use roads unless they are marked as prohibited to bikes.

Bike trails found in state parks feature a variety of sizes, terrain and scenic views. An added bonus is that you can take advantage of the many resources, facilities and activities found within each park.

Approximately 3,800 miles of state forest trails are open to mountain biking and of those, 447 miles within 11 state forests are specifically designated and maintained for mountain biking.

Safety and courtesy should always be a priority when biking. Don’t forget your helmet!  Helmets must be worn level and snug on top of the head with the chin strap securely fastened. Be considerate of other trail users; ride to the right and signal when passing.

A Frequently Asked Questions document has more information about the draft e-bike policy.

Written comments on the draft e-bike policy also are welcome, and can be submitted to RA-NR_PolicyOffice@pa.gov.  The deadline to submit comments is Aug. 31.

More information about biking and mountain biking is on the DCNR website.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

NewsClips:

-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation Blog: What It’s Like To Be A Park Ranger? - By Brian Price, Ranger Supervisor, French Creek State Park

-- Erie Times - Brain Whipkey: PA Looks To Accommodate E-Bike Riders In State Parks, Forests

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: DCNR Floats New Policy On E-Bikes In State Forests, State Parks

-- Reading Eagle: Young Workers At The Big Woods In French Creek State Park Encouraged By PA Official

-- PA Environmental Council Blog: Barriers To Equitable River Access Persist In Delaware River Basin, But They’re Not Always What You Expect

-- Williamsport Sun: DCNR Celebrates Induction Of Beartown Woods Natural Area

Related Articles:

-- DCNR Blog: Celebrating Parks And The People Who Make Them Possible [PaEN]

-- U.S. Forest Service Cancels DCNR's Keystone Crew Deployment To Sugarloaf Wildfire In Wyoming; Crew Returning To Await Another Assignment  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Awards $955,500 In ATV/Snowmobile Trail Project Grants To Support 7 Projects; New Grant Round Opens Aug. 1  [PaEN]

-- Growing Greener Coalition: DCNR Online Grant Application Workshop Set For Nov. 3

-- DCNR Announces Sustainable Trail System Project In Mountain Creek Watershed, Michaux State Forest, Cumberland County  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Helps Celebrate Completion Of The Northwest River Trail In Lancaster County  [PaEN]

-- DCNR: Work On Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam At Shikellamy State Park Complete, Boating Begins

-- DCNR Surveying Visitors On Their Experiences In Gallitzin, Rothrock State Forests [PaEN]

-- Health/DEP/DCNR Urge Pennsylvanians To Fight The Bite And Protect Themselves From Mosquitoes To Prevent West Nile Virus  [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna Greenway Partners Name Winners Of 2022 Photo Contest [PaEN]

-- July 29 Take Five Fridays With Pam From PA Parks & Forests Foundation  [PaEN]

[Posted: July 25, 2022]

8/1/2022