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Michigan DNR E-Bike Land Use Order Survey

The purpose of this survey is to gather public input on the proposed Land Use Order of the Director regarding e-bike use on state-managed trails (except those located on wildlife or state forest lands).
Definitions

For the purposes of this survey, a trail is defined as any natural surface or improved surface (gravel, limestone, asphalt) path that is managed for the primary purpose of pedestrian use on either foot or bicycle, but may include other uses such as horseback, snowmobile or ORV. These may include:
  1. Linear rail trails or linear state parks
  2. Mountain bike trails
  3. Pedestrian pathways within parks
  4. Other natural surface, nonmotorized corridors
The state of Michigan defines an electric bicycle (or e-bike) as a bicycle that has a small rechargeable electric motor that can give a boost to the pedaling rider or can take over pedaling completely. To qualify as an e-bike in Michigan, the bike must meet the following requirements:
  • It must have a seat or saddle for the rider to sit.
  • There must be fully operational pedals.
  • It must have an electric motor of no more than 750 watts (or 1 horsepower).
Class 1

An e-bike equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and disengages or ceases to function when the bike reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour.

Class 2

An e-bike equipped with a motor that propels the bike, whether the rider is pedaling or not, to a speed of no more than 20 miles per hour and disengages or ceases to function when the brakes are applied, or throttle is released.

Class 3

An e-bike equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and disengages or ceases to function when the bike reaches a speed of 28 miles per hour.

Unclassified (not an e-bike)
  • Max. assisted speed above limits OR
  • Motor power over 750 watts OR
  • No seat / no pedals
  • May be a motorcycle / moped / ORV
1.Are you a Michigan resident?(Required.)
2.What is your age?(Required.)
3.How often do you ride your bike on a state-managed trail, as defined above?(Required.)
4.Where do you most often ride your bike on state-managed trails?A map of Michigan showing the various regions described below(Required.)
5.Which other areas do you also ride? Choose all that apply:
6.If you ride on trails, do you ride an e-bike?(Required.)
7.When you ride an e-bike, what class of e-bike do you typically ride?(Required.)
Current allowable use

Currently, on state-managed trails, use of varying classes of e-bikes are allowed as follows:

Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Allowed on roads and bike lanes Yes Yes Yes
Allowed on linear paved trails Yes, but can be regulated No No
Allowed on nonmotorized, natural surface trails (such as mountain bike trails) No, but can be authorized No, but can be authorized No
Allowed on motorized, natural surface trails (such as ORV trails) Yes Yes Yes
Proposed Land Use Order of the Director

The proposed Land Use Order would expand e-bike use as follows:
  1. A person may operate a Class 1 electric bicycle on a trail which is open to bicycle use on any Parks and Recreation Division-administered lands.
  2. A person with a mobility impairment may operate a Class 2 electric bicycle on a trail open to bicycle use located on any Parks and Recreation Division-administered lands with the issuance of a use permit.
  3. This Order shall be reviewed after a period of one year from the effective date to allow the Department time to assess the impact of electric bicycle use on natural surface trails. If after the one-year period there is evidence of any negative impact, the Order shall be rescinded. However, if no negative impact is evident after the one-year period, the Order shall remain in effect.
8.As it is written above, do you support or oppose this proposed Land Use Order?(Required.)
9.If opposed, why do you oppose this draft?
10.If opposed, is there anything you would change that would make the amendment acceptable?
11.Is there anything else you'd like to add regarding the proposed e-bike Land Use Order of the Director
Current Progress,
0 of 11 answered
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