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E-bikes on Trails in Lake Tahoe

e-bike

UPDATE October 2023: The USFS LTBMU has released its 2nd Draft Basin Wide Trails Analysis project document. This is currently open for public comment through October 28, 2023.

This document proposes constructing 25 miles of NEW multi-use (singletrack!) trail and opening 106 miles of existing trail around the basin to class-1 e-bikes. In addition, it includes many maintenance projects that will upgrade segments to be more sustainable and flowy, improve stream crossing, and upgrade trailheads and signage. TAMBA supports the overall plan as it aligns with our values of connectivity, choice, and sustainability for mountain bike trails in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

E-bikes have increased in popularity and are becoming more common on motorized and non-motorized trails in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The following information represents the most current rules and regulations created by the land managers in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

About 80% of the land in the Lake Tahoe Basin is managed by the Forest Service. Other public landowners include Nevada State Parks and California State Parks. TAMBA doesn’t own any land.

On August 29th 2019, the Department of the Interior made a determination that e-bikes will be allowed on lands managed by the department where other types of bicycles are allowed. The Department of the Interior manages BLM land and National Parks. USFS land is managed by the Department of Agriculture, so this determination does not apply to lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

 

U.S. Forest Service 

Under the Forest Service’s Travel Management Rule (§212.1) e-bikes are classified as motor vehicles.
This means that e-bikes are only allowed on trails open to motor vehicles within the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The current 2023 draft of the Basin Wide Trails analysis updates the language to add a new class of trails, multi-use trails open to class 1 e-bikes, but not other motor vehicles.

LAKE TAHOE BASIN TRAILS

The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU), the USDA Forest Service agency that manages the land within the Lake Tahoe Basin, released the second draft of the Basin Wide Trails Analysis Project Proposal on September 29, 2023. You can view the PDF here: Scoping Period Maps Basin Wide Trails Analysis Project PDF. This project includes not only trails designated for e-bikes but also includes new trail construction and trails to be decommissioned in the Lake Tahoe Basin. 

Public comment is OPEN through October 28th, 2023, let your voice be heard!

Currently, e-bikes are only allowed on trails in the Lake Tahoe Basin that allow motorized vehicles. E-bikes are not allowed on the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) with the exception of the TRT in Lake Tahoe Nevada State Parks. You can view the TRTA webpage on emerging technologies for more information on the Tahoe Rim Trail.

TAHOE NATIONAL FOREST TRAILS

The Tahoe National Forest (TNF) manages lands on the west side of Lake Tahoe, just outside of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Tahoe National Forest removed a July 2019 statement from their website that allowed Class 1 e-bikes on many non-motorized trails but the TNF finalized its environmental analysis for the East Zone Connectivity project and decided to allow Class-1, pedal-assist e-bikes on 35 miles of National Forest System trails in the TNF. The trails open to e-bikes include the Commemorative Overland Emigrant trail, the Sawtooth Trail, the Big Chief Trail, and the Donkey Town (AKA Jackass) Trail. For more information, visit the Tahoe National Forest e-bike webpage or download the Truckee Ranger District e-bike map.

 

State Parks

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS

Although some California State Parks allow class 1 and class 2 e-bikes on trails, e-bikes are not allowed on the Ocelot Trail near Tahoe City.

E-Bike Classification

The State of California classifies e-bikes as follows:

Class 1 eBike

A Class 1 eBike is a low-speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle, is equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that stops providing assistance when the bicycle reaches 20 mph.

Class 2 eBike

Class 2 eBikes are low-speed throttle-assisted electric bicycles that are equipped with motors that can exclusively propel the bicycle, but that cannot provide assistance when the bike reaches 20 mph.

Class 3 eBike

Class 3 eBikes are speed pedal-assisted electric bicycles that are equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and stops providing assistance when the bicycle reaches 28 mph.

You can view California law AB-1096 Vehicles: electric bicycles.

NEVADA STATE PARKS

Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park does allow e-bikes on trails intended for use by bikes. This means that e-bikes are allowed on the Flume Trail and the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) between Hobart Road and the park boundary north of Tunnel Creek Road. E-bikes are not allowed on the TRT from Mount Rose to Tunnel Creek or on Chimney Beach Trail because these trails are on USFS land designated for non-motorized use.

E-Bike Classification

Nevada does not define electric bicycles by class. Nevada defines e-bikes as “electric-assisted bicycles, so long as the e-bike’s motor is under 750w, has a maximum speed of 20mph, and has operable pedals.” Class 1 and 2 e-bikes fall under this definition and are allowed on multi-use paths and bike lanes where bicycles are also permitted.

Class 3 e-bikes don’t meet Nevada’s definition of an “electric-assisted bicycle” since the maximum speed is 28 mph Class 3 e-bikes are defined as a moped in Nevada, which is “a motor-driven scooter, motor-driven cycle or similar vehicle that is propelled by a small engine which produces not more than 2 gross brake horsepower, has a displacement of not more than 50 cubic centimeters or produces not more than 1500 watts final output, and is capable of a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on a flat surface with not more than 1 percent grade in any direction when the motor is engaged” (NRS 482.069).

 

E-bike Friendly Lake Tahoe Basin Trails

Trails currently open to e-bikes in the Lake Tahoe Basin include:

  • Upper Corral
  • Lower Corral
  • Incense Cedar
  • Sidewinder
  • High Meadow OHV
  • Kingsbury Stinger
  • Beaver Tail Trail
  • Flume Trail
  • Tahoe Rim Trail in Nevada State Parks (Hobart Rd to Tunnel Creek Rd only)
  • All fire roads that allow motorized vehicles.
  • Sand Pit 12N28

Trails open to e-bikes in Truckee include:

  • Commemorative Overland Emigrant Trail
  • Sawtooth Trail
  • Big Chief Trail
  • Donkey Town Trail
  • All OHV trails and fire roads that allow motorized vehicles

Make your voice heard! We are in an active comment period. The forest is currently proposing opening 106 miles of multi-use trails to eBike. Review the plan here, + submit your comments through October 2023.

Check out the LTBMU OHV Trail Riding Webpage.

Check out the USFS map showing the roads and trails currently accessible to e-bikes in the North Lake Tahoe area.

Check out the USFS map showing the roads and trails currently accessible to e-bikes in the South Lake Tahoe area.

Check out the USFS map showing the trails currently accessible to e-bikes in the Truckee area.

Trailforks has an e-bike filter on their app, and on their webpage, you can scroll down under Trail Details and look for E-Bikes Allowed.

 

TAMBA urges all mountain bikers to only ride e-bikes on trails open to e-bikes. Illegal riding and removal of no-e-bike stickers on trail signs jeopardize our relationship with the USFS and access to future trails. If you want to see more trails open to e-bikes, we encourage you to provide comments to the Draft Basin Wide Trails Analysis Project.