SCoMBA’s Mission is to build, maintain, and unify. We support the responsible use of approved trails by all mountain bikers. Following our vision as the hub for all things mountain biking, SCoMBA supports the use of Class 1 eMTB’s on our trails and will advocate for their usage among the stakeholders across the county. At the same time, we oppose the use of eMTB’s on trails that are not open to them.
Understanding that this is a sensitive topic, this position was arrived at by extensive research into objective studies performed by various districts of the USFS, the BLM, IMBA, the University of Vermont, and others on the impacts of Class 1 eMTB’s on the environment (flora and fauna), the trails, the trail users experience and the safety of all trail users.
Multiple USFS Environmental Analysis (EA’s) have reached the same conclusion. They have reached a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). After typically two to three years of analysis the differences between classic pedal bicycles and Class 1 eMTB’s is “indistinguishable”.
Specifically, the soil displacement was negligible and there was no measurable difference in sound. Speed was not a factor as the studies showed repeatedly that measured speed of better riders is higher than other bikers. This is true regardless of whether they were riding classic bicycles or Class 1 eMTB’s.
Safety was not an issue per the EA’s. Direct feedback from Jefferson County (Jeffco), Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Frisco Peninsula, Colorado Mountain Bike Association (COMBA), and the Grand Junction BLM all stated that they have had no more safety issues on Class 1 eMTB’s compared to classic bikes.
Concerns about crowding and user conflict were also dispelled in both the studies and conversations. The summary of user interactions stated repeatedly was that individuals, not the technology (Class 1 eMTB’s) create issues. To address this potential, SCoMBA is prepared to work with local bike shops and bike clubs to develop and deliver trail etiquette education.
Copies of the studies are published online by the USFS, links are listed below. Finally, SCoMBA is working to set up an eMTB demo day so that our fellow riders can experience the differences between classic mountain bikes and Class 1 eMTB’s.
Sample ACCEPTANCE OF Class 1 eMTB’s on Classic Mt. Bike Trails
Understanding that this is a sensitive topic, this position was arrived at by extensive research into objective studies performed by various districts of the USFS, the BLM, IMBA, the University of Vermont, and others on the impacts of Class 1 eMTB’s on the environment (flora and fauna), the trails, the trail users experience and the safety of all trail users.
Multiple USFS Environmental Analysis (EA’s) have reached the same conclusion. They have reached a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). After typically two to three years of analysis the differences between classic pedal bicycles and Class 1 eMTB’s is “indistinguishable”.
Specifically, the soil displacement was negligible and there was no measurable difference in sound. Speed was not a factor as the studies showed repeatedly that measured speed of better riders is higher than other bikers. This is true regardless of whether they were riding classic bicycles or Class 1 eMTB’s.
Safety was not an issue per the EA’s. Direct feedback from Jefferson County (Jeffco), Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Frisco Peninsula, Colorado Mountain Bike Association (COMBA), and the Grand Junction BLM all stated that they have had no more safety issues on Class 1 eMTB’s compared to classic bikes.
Concerns about crowding and user conflict were also dispelled in both the studies and conversations. The summary of user interactions stated repeatedly was that individuals, not the technology (Class 1 eMTB’s) create issues. To address this potential, SCoMBA is prepared to work with local bike shops and bike clubs to develop and deliver trail etiquette education.
Copies of the studies are published online by the USFS, links are listed below. Finally, SCoMBA is working to set up an eMTB demo day so that our fellow riders can experience the differences between classic mountain bikes and Class 1 eMTB’s.
Sample ACCEPTANCE OF Class 1 eMTB’s on Classic Mt. Bike Trails
- Frisco Peninsula
- National Park Service
- Clear Creek County
- Colorado Springs
- Jeffco Open Space
- Colorado Parks & Wildlife (State Parks)
- Fruita BLM
- Rifle BLM
- Moab BLM (provisional)
- States of CA, AR & MI
- East Zone Connectivity: Truckee & Carson Ranger Districts/Tahoe NF. Final 3/15/21 https://usfs-public.app.box.com/v/PinyonPublic/folder/158227042396
- Fishlake Basin: Intermountain Region, Fishlake NF. Final 5/23/22 https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60002
- Pines to Mines: Yuba, Truckee, & Sierraville RD's/Tahoe NF. Final 3/14/24 https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/tahoe/?project=61221
- Womble & Syllamo: Caddo, Mena, Oden, Womble, & Sylamore RD's/Ozark-St. Francis & Ouachita NF's. Final 9/16/24 https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62170
- Bend Area: Pacific Northwest Region/Deschutes NF, Draft EA 7/2/24 https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/deschutes/?project=66475
- Tahoe Basin Wide: Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit/Tahoe NF. Draft EA 9/26/24 https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=54566
- Jackson Area: Jackson RD/Bridger-Teton NF. Draft EA 1/23/25 https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64890
- NPS System Wide Ruling: 10/20/20 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-11-02/pdf/2020-22129.pdf
- Univ of Vermont Study on eMTBs: https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Center-for-Rural-Studies/2022_Vermont_Electric_Mountain_Bike_Research_Report.pdf