LAST EDITED ON Jul-16-17 AT 11:59PM (MST)[p]I believe you're looking at State Motor Vehicle Law.
Forest Service:
File Code: 2300/2350/7700
Subject: Electric Bikes and Trail Management
The Forest Service?s Travel Management Rule (TMR) and E-Bikes:
The TMR defines ?motor vehicle? as ?any vehicle which is self-propelled, other than:
(1) a vehicle operated on rails; and
(2) any wheelchair or mobility device, including one that is battery-powered, that is designed solely for use by a mobility-impaired person for locomotion, and that is suitable for use in an indoor pedestrian area.?
36 CFR 212.1. E-bikes have a motor, thereby are self propelled, and are not covered by the exceptions in the definition.
Therefore, e-bikes are motor vehicles and are subject to regulation under the TMR, which requires designation of National Forest System (NFS) roads, NFS trails, and areas on
NFS lands for motor vehicle use. 36 CFR 212.51(a).
Direction on e-bikes was included in a response in the Federal Register notice for the final over-snow vehicle rule.
The response states: ?New technologies that merge bicycles and motors, such as e-bikes, are considered motor vehicles under ?212.1 of the TMR.? 80 Fed. Reg. 4503 (Jan. 28, 2015).
BLM:
Information Bulletin No. 2015-060
From: Acting Assistant Director, Resources and Planning
An electronic bicycle, also known as an e-bike, is a bicycle with an integrated electric motor. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) classifies e-bikes as motorized vehicles, as defined at 43 CFR 8340.5 ?(a) Off-road vehicle means any motorized vehicle capable of, or designed for, travel on or immediately over land, water, or other natural terrain, excluding: (1) any non-amphibious registered motorboat; (2) any military, fire, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle while being used for emergency purposes; (3) any vehicle whose use is expressly authorized by the authorized officer, or otherwise officially approved; (4) vehicles in official use; and (5) any combat or combat support vehicle when used in times of national defense emergencies.?
