IMBA Action Alert
The following is an Action Alert from the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) regarding a rule change that could impact the Baileys Trail System. The policy experts at IMBA are concerned that the rule could change the designation of trail systems like the Baileys from non-motorized to motorized, thus impacting the ability to receive grant funding to complete the trail system.
The deadline for comments is Monday, October 26, 2020. Please take a few minutes to read the details about the proposed rule from IMBA, and submit a comment to the US Forest Service about the e-mountain bike (e-MTB) rule.
Rob Delach, Athens Bicycle Club Communications Officer
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IMBA Action Alert!
The U.S. Forest Service released proposed revised directives on eMTB management on September 24th. The release coincided with a public comment period which is open through Monday, October 26th. The Forest Service needs to hear from mountain bikers and eMTB riders alike: these proposed directives could have problematic unintended consequences for trails. Positives of the proposed directives: –Requires a local public process before allowing any eMTB access, through NEPA and Travel Management planning. –Distinguishes between class 1, class 2 and class 3 eMTBs. –Manages eMTBs as a new category, separate from traditional mountain bikes. Challenges with the proposed directives: –Continues to categorize all classes of eMTBs as motorized. –If the Forest Service continues to classify e-bikes as motorized, these directives have the potential to reclassify non-motorized trails as motorized trails to allow eMTB access. This could jeopardize trail funding and lead to increased user conflicts. Instead, the final directive must reconsider how to allow class 1 eMTBs on select non-motorized trails while retaining a trail’s non-motorized status, similar to the recent Bureau of Land Management final rule that mountain bikers liked you helped shape. For more information on the potential consequences with the Forest Service proposed directives, read the IMBA blog. For more details on the directives, take a look at IMBA’s summary guidance. For more information on eMTBs, visit IMBA’s eMTB education page and IMBA’s eMTB FAQs.
Ready to submit a comment?
This comment period is being conducted through a U.S. Forest Service portal. The sample comment below is in line with IMBA’s eMTB position, which supports class 1 eMTB access on non-motorized trails, as long as access for traditional mountain bikes is not lost or impeded. We always advocate for these decisions to be made via public process alongside local mountain bikers and all stakeholders. Customize the comment below to suit your perspective and submit by October 26th.
Thank you for the opportunity for the public to engage on FSM 7700 and 7710, which would revise Forest Service directives to update and clarify guidance on management of electric bicycle (e-bike) use on National Forest System lands.Hundreds of organized mountain bike clubs around the country manage thousands of volunteers who work closely with land managers on trail development, trail maintenance, and trail education for all users. Much of this work relies on funding sources specific to non-motorized trail projects. The proposed directives could jeopardize this funding and increase user conflict if non-motorized trails were to become reclassified as motorized to allow for eMTBs. Instead, the final directive must reconsider how to allow class 1 eMTBs on select non-motorized trails while retaining a trail’s non-motorized status, similar to the recent Department of Interior final rule. The final directive can be further improved by following the International Mountain Bicycling Association’s (IMBA) management recommendations: managing the three classes of e-bikes separately from one another, and prohibiting class 2 and class 3 eMTBs on natural surface, non-motorized trails. Mountain bikers appreciate the leap in technology presented by eMTBs is a unique management challenge. These proposed directives rightfully plan separate management for bicycles and electric bicycles. It is critical that land managers and local mountain bikers work together to determine where eMTBs are and are not appropriate on current and future mountain bike trails. Thank you for the willingness to engage with the mountain bike community.Sincerely,[name, location, contact information]
