Electric bikes have exploded in popularity in recent years. Now the Deschutes National Forest says it’s time to consider allowing more of them on its trails.

Forest officials are considering permitting Class 1, pedal-assist e-bikes on certain existing, natural surface trails and paved paths near Bend, Sisters and Sunriver, according to a news release from the Deschutes National Forest. If the proposal is adopted, more than 160 miles of trail would become available to Class 1 e-bike riders.

Class 1 e-bikes are defined as those that only assist riders when they are pedaling. Assistance stops when the rider reaches 20 mph. Modified e-bikes that no longer fit these criteria would not be allowed on the project trails.

The national forest has opened up a 30-day comment period to gather input from the public on the project. The comment period will close July 31. The E-Bikes on Select Trails project draft environmental assessment has been posted online for public review.

Equitable opportunities, and more

The Deschutes National Forest lists multiple reasons for opening up more trails to Class 1 e-bike riders, including creating equitable opportunities for trail use. It also mentions the need to adapt to changing technology in outdoor recreation. The Forest Service also mentions its intention to reduce conflicts between certain user groups, noting that trails designed for pedestrian or equestrian uses are not included in the proposal.

Kirin Stryker, co-owner of Cog Wild, a Bend-based tour operator specializing in bicycle tours, said the proposal could cause some initial conflict between riders on traditional bikes and those on e-bikes but “in the big picture” will improve accessibility and help more people recreate in the national forest.

“It allows someone like an older person to ride with their grandkids. In general, it’s better to have people access the outdoors. This will help people get outside,” said Stryker.

Stryker added that many trails in the Oakridge area are e-bike legal and making more trails legal for e-bikes in the Deschutes National Forest would help improve consistency across the region. She said there is a good opportunity for increasing e-bike tourism.

“Bend could become a destination for it,” she said.

67 trails for e-bikes

The project includes 67 trails totaling 161.4 miles across the Bend-Fort Rock and Sisters ranger districts. Areas with the proposed trails include Peterson Ridge, Phil’s Trail area, Sunriver and Wanoga. No new trail construction is proposed.

Stryker said the areas targeted for e-bike use are already heavily used, have experienced widespread thinning and are “not super pristine.” Trails at slightly higher elevations that have more natural conditions will remain accessible to only traditional mountain bikes.

The plan “is keeping people off some of those more sensitive trails in higher country. Those trails are not in consideration (for the project). The trails in consideration are formerly logged over forest,” said Stryker.

A decision on the project is not expected until March. If approved, implementation would likely occur in April.

Currently, Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes are only permitted on motorized trails and roads in the Deschutes National Forest.

Support from trail group

Emmy Andrews, executive director of the Central Oregon Trail Alliance, supports the proposal to allow Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes on certain trails, noting that other forms of e-bikes shouldn’t be allowed. She echoed Stryker’s comments, saying the project could help many more people enjoy the outdoors.

“This is the kind of thing that can welcome a broader spectrum of community members onto trails and creates more opportunities to experience trails so it’s in line with our thinking,” she said.

Andrews said she has heard positive comments about the project from individuals, including a cancer survivor, who rides e-bikes because physical limitations make it difficult to ride traditional bikes.

“An e-bike is a way for her to still get out on the trails. This is a story for many people who are older, but she is middle-aged. That extra assist from a Class 1 bike allows them to participate in the sport,” she said.

The trail alliance maintains two local trail systems where Class 1 pedal assist e-bikes have been allowed for several years, including the Madras East Hills and the Redmond Radlands. Andrews said maintenance needs on these trails are similar to other systems, and no rider conflicts have been reported.

The Deschutes National Forest is the first national forest in Oregon to release an environmental assessment for a proposal to authorize Class 1, pedal-assist bikes.

Trail networks outside national forestland that are open to Class 1 e-bikes include Black Rock Mountain Bike Area and Post Canyon, both near Hood River, and Spence Mountain in Klamath County.

— Michael Kohn, mkohn@bendbulletin.com