By Kelsey Marier - Published: Apr. 8, 2021 at 10:35 PM PDT
TRUCKEE, Calif. (KOLO) - For the first time, a new class of electric bicycles is allowed on 35 miles of trails in the Tahoe National Forest. This shift means a new experience is waiting for you and your family.
"I see E-bike use continuing to grow in the region." said Jonathan Cook-Fisher, District Ranger in Truckee Ranger District
Forest officials have opened up 35 miles of existing non-motorized trails to class 1 E-bikes in and near Truckee. It's the first national forest in the Pacific Southwest region to allow these types of bikes on its trails. They were not allowed before because they were put in the same class as motorized vehicles.
"They are particularly popular with families, or with individuals who are maybe reengaging with mountain biking, perhaps recovering from knee surgery, or lost that ability to really get out deeper into the trails and explore the forest," Jonathan Cook-Fisher, District Ranger in the Truckee Ranger District said.
So what is an E-bike?
"it provides a power-assist that's most useful on flat or uphill terrain. You have to be pedaling for that motor to be engaged and it does shut off at 20 miles an hour, Cook-Fisher said. Class 2 E-bikes have a throttle and max assisted speed of 20 mph. Class 3 E-bikes are pedal-assisted only, with a max assisted speed of 28 mph. According to Cook-Fisher, class 1's have most of the same components as a traditional mountain bike and are safe when it comes to speed.
Cook-Fisher added, "The class 1 E-bike is very quiet, you may not even notice that the person who just rode by you is on a class 1 E-bike. A standard mountain bike rider going downhill was actually able to achieve higher speeds than a class 1."
(MLT: This statement is disputed and speed depend on the trails traveled. Basic physics would tell us since the e-bikes are considerably heavier, they can achieve higher speeds going downhill. Because they have a motor, they can travel much faster and farther uphill than standard mt. bikes.)
Class 1 E-bikers can now ride on the Emigrant Trail, Big Chief Trail, and Sawtooth Trail. Cook-Fisher says this mode of transportation won't leave a negative imprint on our planet and provides inclusive access to what the Tahoe National Forest has to offer.
(MLT: This statement is disputed by environmental, hikers and equestrian groups. Tahoe National Forest has been sued by several groups for adding motorized e-bikes on non-motorized trails without proper science and process.)
"The environmental impacts from E-bikes are indistinguishable from standard mountain bikes," Cook-Fisher said.
(MLT: This statement is disputed by environmental, hikers and equestrian groups. Tahoe National Forest has been sued by several groups for adding motorized e-bikes on non-motorized trails without proper science and process.)
In addition to the 35 miles of non-motorized trails in the Tahoe National Forest, the Town of Truckee allows all three classes of E-bikes on 22 miles of scenic paved paths, bringing the total to 57 miles of paved and dirt trails open for riding. To view a map of the multi-use paved trails and bike paths, click here.
CLICK HERE to see the article and view the television news on KOLO-TV
TRUCKEE, Calif. (KOLO) - For the first time, a new class of electric bicycles is allowed on 35 miles of trails in the Tahoe National Forest. This shift means a new experience is waiting for you and your family.
"I see E-bike use continuing to grow in the region." said Jonathan Cook-Fisher, District Ranger in Truckee Ranger District
Forest officials have opened up 35 miles of existing non-motorized trails to class 1 E-bikes in and near Truckee. It's the first national forest in the Pacific Southwest region to allow these types of bikes on its trails. They were not allowed before because they were put in the same class as motorized vehicles.
"They are particularly popular with families, or with individuals who are maybe reengaging with mountain biking, perhaps recovering from knee surgery, or lost that ability to really get out deeper into the trails and explore the forest," Jonathan Cook-Fisher, District Ranger in the Truckee Ranger District said.
So what is an E-bike?
"it provides a power-assist that's most useful on flat or uphill terrain. You have to be pedaling for that motor to be engaged and it does shut off at 20 miles an hour, Cook-Fisher said. Class 2 E-bikes have a throttle and max assisted speed of 20 mph. Class 3 E-bikes are pedal-assisted only, with a max assisted speed of 28 mph. According to Cook-Fisher, class 1's have most of the same components as a traditional mountain bike and are safe when it comes to speed.
Cook-Fisher added, "The class 1 E-bike is very quiet, you may not even notice that the person who just rode by you is on a class 1 E-bike. A standard mountain bike rider going downhill was actually able to achieve higher speeds than a class 1."
(MLT: This statement is disputed and speed depend on the trails traveled. Basic physics would tell us since the e-bikes are considerably heavier, they can achieve higher speeds going downhill. Because they have a motor, they can travel much faster and farther uphill than standard mt. bikes.)
Class 1 E-bikers can now ride on the Emigrant Trail, Big Chief Trail, and Sawtooth Trail. Cook-Fisher says this mode of transportation won't leave a negative imprint on our planet and provides inclusive access to what the Tahoe National Forest has to offer.
(MLT: This statement is disputed by environmental, hikers and equestrian groups. Tahoe National Forest has been sued by several groups for adding motorized e-bikes on non-motorized trails without proper science and process.)
"The environmental impacts from E-bikes are indistinguishable from standard mountain bikes," Cook-Fisher said.
(MLT: This statement is disputed by environmental, hikers and equestrian groups. Tahoe National Forest has been sued by several groups for adding motorized e-bikes on non-motorized trails without proper science and process.)
In addition to the 35 miles of non-motorized trails in the Tahoe National Forest, the Town of Truckee allows all three classes of E-bikes on 22 miles of scenic paved paths, bringing the total to 57 miles of paved and dirt trails open for riding. To view a map of the multi-use paved trails and bike paths, click here.
CLICK HERE to see the article and view the television news on KOLO-TV
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