Courtesy photo Two people ride a bicycle on a track.
HARRISVILLE — A proposed Michigan Department of Natural Resources land use change could expand the operation of certain classified e-bikes on state park-managed land that could go into effect as early as this spring.
Current Michigan law states that Class 1 e-bikes, which are pedal-assisted and can go up to 20 miles per hour, are allowed on paved gravel or asphalt trails. The new change would allow Class 1 e-bikes to be used on natural, dirt bike paths.
The change will also allow Class 2 e-bikes, which have an accelerator together to go up to 20 miles per hour and be assisted by pedals, to operate on paved trails and nature trails managed by the state park for mobility purposes. Currently, Class 2 electric bikes are only allowed with a permit and on nature trails.
Eric Ostrander, the park supervisor at Harrisville State Park, said the change would be beneficial for the parks and that he has seen many e-bikes being used in the park.
“If someone has an accessibility problem they can still use e-bikes – in that sense, it’s like a mobility vehicle,” said Ostrander. “The mentality here is that they’re just trying to expand ways that people can use these trails. A lot of our campers love them. They love using them, especially because if you’re in a far corner of the campground, you can put them on your e-bike and go to the other corner.
The proposed expansion does not apply to wildlife or start forest trails, although a trail is open to bicycles. Class 3 e-bikes with pedal assistance and a top speed of 28 kilometers per hour would also remain banned on state-managed land if the policy went ahead.
According to a statement from the DNR, 3,000 miles of state park-managed trails will be affected by the proposal, with the changes being visible on an interactive map on the DNR’s website at michigan.gov/dnr. Signs indicating when e-bikes are allowed will also be placed at the footpaths if the proposal passes.
“Our staff will cycle and we don’t have to go that far, but I wonder if there is enough value for us to have an electric bike for the staff,” Ostrander said. “Not everyone can ride a bike for a long distance, so I think it’s a bit of a mobility device that can help us get places.”
A public survey on the proposed change is open now at research.net/r/DNR-E-BIKE and continues through March 31. The results will be shared on April 11 at the Michigan Natural Resources Commission meeting.
The policy change will go before DNR Director Scott Bowen at the commission’s May meeting and any changes will take effect immediately thereafter.
“I think the benefit of this is this ability for people to put in their public input,” Ostrander said. “I felt this at the Friends of Negwegon State Park. Bicycle use is not available in Negwegon State Park and it gives them the ability to look at this and say, ‘Yes, if we can keep that and we can add this to it.” This is a good way to get the voice of the public.”
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