BEND, Ore. — E-bikes are legally hitting the back trails on the High Desert. The Deschutes National Forest has signed the final decision to approve Class 1, pedal assist e-bikes on select trails near Bend, Sisters, and Sunriver.
“Class 1 pedal assist e-bikes can work on the trails without doing damage and causing rider conflicts,” Central Oregon Trail Alliance Board President Bill Lynch said. “We’re happy to see the decision go that way. We’re also happy that Class 2 and Class 3, the different, more powerful bikes, are expressly disallowed, and we support that as well.”
Lynch says Class 1 of e-bikes works within the window of human performance.
“Only works when the rider is pedaling,” said Lynch. “It has limited power. And we feel like those bikes are substantially similar to the kind of current gravel and mountain bikes you see out there.”
The Forest Service said in a press release, “Recognizing the growing interest in e-bikes on public lands, the Deschutes National Forest assessed how these bikes fit into existing recreational activities. The Forest Service gave thoughtful consideration of the ecological and social impacts of this decision, balanced with providing increased access for class 1 e-bike users.”
Anthony Ablack with Bend Electric Bikes says he has seen e-bike popularity increase over the years.
“Bend’s already got a great trail network and people come here to visit, and I think it’ll only increase that,” Ablack said. “Hopefully, it also increases the number of people who want to do trail work, too.”
COTA is a group of volunteers that helps maintain local trails and Lynch says they focus on educating riders about which classes of e-bikes are allowed or disallowed.
“Trailhead information will be changing as well,” Lynch said. “COTA, you know, also has been doing etiquette campaigns, rider information campaigns. We’ll be doing that starting in the spring when the weather opens up. And as well as working with local bike shops to make sure they know the rules, to make sure that they’re trying to explain it in the right way to their riders as well.”
Riders and hikers should see updated signage here this winter and spring as the trails become open and rideable.
The Sunriver Home Owners Association says it now also accepts Class 1 e-bikes on its 30-plus-mile trail systems.
