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Yosemite National Park Bicycle and Electronic Bicycle Policy
Yosemite National Park » Yosemite National Park Bicycle and Electronic Bicycle Policy » Document List
The National Park Service issued a final regulation concerning the use of electronic bicycles (e-bikes) on park service land on November 2, 2020, with an effective date of December 2, 2020. The regulations are codified in 36 CFR §4.30(i). In response, Yosemite National Park reviewed the literature review on e-bikes (Final NPS E-Bikes Literature Review August 2021) and updated its Superintendent's Compendium of Designations, Closures, Permit Requirements and Other Restrictions Imposed Under Discretionary Authority (Compendium) on 6/9/2021 to align park policy on e-bikes with the NPS regulations. The compendium changes clarify that e-bike and traditional bicycle use is permitted within the park on park roads, parking areas, and on certain designated routes.
The park proposes to update the 6/9/2021 Compendium language related to bicycle and e-bike use, as follows:
Page 4- Section 1.4 Definitions
Electric Bicycle (aka E-Bike)- a two- or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of not more than 750 watts that meets the requirements of one of the following three classes:
(1) "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.
(2) "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.
(3) "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.
Page 6- Electric Personal Transportation Devices
Electric scooters, electric skateboards, electric skates, or any other similar electric transportation device designed to carry a single passenger and propelled or assisted by an electric motor are prohibited on all park roads and unpaved trails. Additionally, electric bikes (e-Bikes) are permitted on park roads in compliance with adopted state laws. This restriction is necessary to provide for the safety of visitors and motorists on curving roads, often with steep grades.
Page 11- Paved Bikeways
Speed may not exceed 15 miles per hour on paved trails designated as "paved bikeways" on the official park brochure regardless of transportation method (e.g., bicycles, e-bicycles, electric scooters, skateboards, etc.). Bicycles, skateboards, scooters, or any other similar device with a combustible engine are prohibited on the paved bikeways. This restriction is necessary to provide for the safety of visitors and to accommodate multiple user groups on crowded bikeways.
Page 44- 36 CFR §4.30 - BICYCLES
36 CFR §4.30 - BICYCLES
a) Bicycle use is permitted on park roads, parking areas, and on the following:
b) Administrative Roads:
• Wawona
o Eleven Mile Road near Yosemite West
o Four Mile Fire Road south of Wawona Meadow
o Mariposa Grove Road from Welcome Center to the Lower Grove, to include the ADA road form Lower Grove to the Grizzly Giant ADA parking lot.
c) Existing Trails:
• Yosemite Valley
o Paved bike path loop from Swinging Bridge through the East Valley -Happy Isle/ Mirror Lake. (Unless indicated by a "No Bikes Allowed" sign)
• Wawona
o Wawona Meadow Loop
d) Closures and other restrictions:
• Bicycles may be permitted on certain closed roads (such as the Tioga Road and Glacier Point road) during times in which no snow removal activities are underway, when the road is cleared of snow but not yet opened to vehicle traffic, and subject to any limits or restrictions set by the Superintendent
• Bikes and E-Bikes are not permitted in designated wilderness areas and area where indicated by closure notices and signs.
e) Electric Bikes "E-Bikes"
• E-bikes are permitted where traditional bicycles are allowed.
• E-bikes are prohibited in the following locations:
o The surface of the O'Shaughnessy Dam.
o All dirt roads starting from the gate at the top of O'Shaughnessy Dam leading to areas below the dam.
o The Hetch Hetchy Road when the road is closed.
o Cyclists on rental bicycles and rental e-bicycles are prohibited on the bicycle path between Mirror Lake and the bicycle racks at the base of the Mirror Lake Road.
o Yosemite Falls paved trails where signed closed to bicyclists
Bicycle use across the park has been previously analyzed under various NEPA actions, including the Merced River Plan EIS (PEPC 18982), Tuolumne River Plan EIS (PEPC 14043), and the Yosemite Valley Bikeway EA, among others.
The park proposes to update the 6/9/2021 Compendium language related to bicycle and e-bike use, as follows:
Page 4- Section 1.4 Definitions
Electric Bicycle (aka E-Bike)- a two- or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of not more than 750 watts that meets the requirements of one of the following three classes:
(1) "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.
(2) "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.
(3) "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.
Page 6- Electric Personal Transportation Devices
Electric scooters, electric skateboards, electric skates, or any other similar electric transportation device designed to carry a single passenger and propelled or assisted by an electric motor are prohibited on all park roads and unpaved trails. Additionally, electric bikes (e-Bikes) are permitted on park roads in compliance with adopted state laws. This restriction is necessary to provide for the safety of visitors and motorists on curving roads, often with steep grades.
Page 11- Paved Bikeways
Speed may not exceed 15 miles per hour on paved trails designated as "paved bikeways" on the official park brochure regardless of transportation method (e.g., bicycles, e-bicycles, electric scooters, skateboards, etc.). Bicycles, skateboards, scooters, or any other similar device with a combustible engine are prohibited on the paved bikeways. This restriction is necessary to provide for the safety of visitors and to accommodate multiple user groups on crowded bikeways.
Page 44- 36 CFR §4.30 - BICYCLES
36 CFR §4.30 - BICYCLES
a) Bicycle use is permitted on park roads, parking areas, and on the following:
b) Administrative Roads:
• Wawona
o Eleven Mile Road near Yosemite West
o Four Mile Fire Road south of Wawona Meadow
o Mariposa Grove Road from Welcome Center to the Lower Grove, to include the ADA road form Lower Grove to the Grizzly Giant ADA parking lot.
c) Existing Trails:
• Yosemite Valley
o Paved bike path loop from Swinging Bridge through the East Valley -Happy Isle/ Mirror Lake. (Unless indicated by a "No Bikes Allowed" sign)
• Wawona
o Wawona Meadow Loop
d) Closures and other restrictions:
• Bicycles may be permitted on certain closed roads (such as the Tioga Road and Glacier Point road) during times in which no snow removal activities are underway, when the road is cleared of snow but not yet opened to vehicle traffic, and subject to any limits or restrictions set by the Superintendent
• Bikes and E-Bikes are not permitted in designated wilderness areas and area where indicated by closure notices and signs.
e) Electric Bikes "E-Bikes"
• E-bikes are permitted where traditional bicycles are allowed.
• E-bikes are prohibited in the following locations:
o The surface of the O'Shaughnessy Dam.
o All dirt roads starting from the gate at the top of O'Shaughnessy Dam leading to areas below the dam.
o The Hetch Hetchy Road when the road is closed.
o Cyclists on rental bicycles and rental e-bicycles are prohibited on the bicycle path between Mirror Lake and the bicycle racks at the base of the Mirror Lake Road.
o Yosemite Falls paved trails where signed closed to bicyclists
Bicycle use across the park has been previously analyzed under various NEPA actions, including the Merced River Plan EIS (PEPC 18982), Tuolumne River Plan EIS (PEPC 14043), and the Yosemite Valley Bikeway EA, among others.