Impact of the 2019 BLM allowance for e-bikes
BLM Secretarial Order summary
On August 29, 2019, the US Secretary of the Interior issued order number 3376. This landmark order opened the opportunity for people to access bicycle trails with e-bikes on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land because of uncertainty about policy toward e-bikes. And since e-bikes expand access to recreational opportunities for more people, the order allows Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes anywhere bikes are permitted. In other words, e-bikes no longer fall under the classification of off-road vehicles on BLM lands. The order notes that is subject to laws or regulations prohibiting the full adoption of the policy. Also, the order defined a 30-day window to summarize the changes to BLM policy driven by the order.
Impact of the BLM order
The BLM secretarial order resulted in an Information bulletin (IB 2020-003) that was issued on October 22, 2019. The bulletin declared pedal-assist e-bikes to be in the same class as non-electric bicycles. In addition, IB 2020-003 introduces a new standard: an e-bike, as defined by the order, can go any where a non-electric bike can go unless a District or Field Manager denies its use in a written explanation that is “submitted and approved” by the state director.
The BLM always permitted e-bikes on OHV (“primitive roads”) trails, but the new order increases e-bike access by 11%. According to Trailforks, the order opens a potential of 8,486 miles of mountain bike trails to low-power e-bikes. These trails add to the more than 30,000 miles of “primitive roads” and 45,000 miles of “roads traversable by sedan.” Since e-bikes the BLM never prohibited e-bikes from operating within these “road categories”, the new access to BLM mountain bike trails give e-bikes 11% more mileage than before the order.
The order and bulletin make no change to designated Wilderness areas and scenic areas restricted to foot traffic. Therefore, the BLM continues to restrict wilderness areas exclusively to hiking or horseback riding. Likewise, pedestrian areas (scenic overlooks, trails, etc.) that were off-limits to bicycles continue to be off-limits to bicycles and e-bikes.
The impact on Rungu
The more the merrier! If you ride Rungu Dualie (or MDV/Electric Juggernaut – earlier versions) at a power level that fulfills the Class 2 designation or you’ve purchased a Rungu with reprogramming to meet Class 2 definitions, you now can operate Rungu on the bike paths within BLM lands. This conclusion is great for accessing wider bike paths. However we continue to recommend against riding single-track with Rungu.
The most important areas to Rungu continue to be the “primitive roads.” Because of the risk of washouts and other accidents, operating e-bikes or non-electric bikes present risk of injury. By contrast, dual-front-wheels and other design advantages of Rungu to produce great off-road experiences. Rungu continues to “expand access” to new and unique “recreational opportunities.”
Comments? Please write to us – info@riderungu.com
