Electrical Bicycle Use in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The National Park Service has instituted a change in the regulation of bicycle use in the National Parks. These new regulations allow three classes of electric bikes (e-bikes) to be used on the same trails as traditional bikes. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is considering how to implement this change on the park's existing bike trails. The regulation allows park superintendents to tailor the use of e-bikes by bike class or by trail in consideration of safety concerns, resource protection needs or other conflicting uses.

An e-bike is a two- or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 horsepower) that provides propulsion assistance. E-bikes are categorized into three classes:

Class 1 electric bicycle shall mean an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour;

Class 2 electric bicycle shall mean an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour; and

Class 3 electric bicycle shall mean an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour.

Traditional bikes are authorized on the following trails:

• East Rim Trails
• Old Carriage Connector Trail
• The Towpath Trail
• Carriage Trail Connector (paved section).
• Stanford House Connector Trail
• Hail Farm Connector Trail
• Everett Covered Bridge
• Old Stanford Roadbed
• Old Akron-Peninsula Roadbed
• Hemlock Trail

Assistant Secretary Rob Wallace selected Cuyahoga Valley National Park out of all the National Parks as the site for the official announcement for Fish and Wildlife and Parks on September 5, 2019. The Park will retain the right to limit, restrict, or impose conditions of bicycle use and e-bike use in order to ensure visitor safety and resource protection. Over the coming month, Park management will work with our local communities, staff and partners to determine best practices and guidance for e-bike use in the park with public input. Visitors should check for details about e-bikes in the Park.

Topic Questions Instructions:

Taking into consideration public health and safety, natural and cultural resource protection, and other activities, please provide your input on these important questions.

Topic Questions:

1. What safety impacts should the park consider?

2. Are there visitor experience or resource protection issues we should consider?

3. Are there bike trails on which the NPS should consider limiting or prohibiting e-bikes and why?

Document Content:

E-Bike Cuyahoga Valley National Park.pdf   (89.1 KB, PDF file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.