In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Park Service (NPS) prepared a Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) to examine environmental impacts associated with the use of electric bicycles (e-bikes) in the National Park System.

The findings from the PEA confirmed that the inclusion of e-bikes where bicycles are already allowed has "no significant impact" on the environment or user experience. PeopleForBikes welcomes the findings of the NPS assessment affirming the use of e-bikes on paths, roads, and trails where traditional bikes are already allowed across the National Park System. The ruling also gives individual park superintendents the discretionary authority to make decisions regarding e-bike use within their national park.

The study comes after years of debate regarding the impact of e-bikes on wildlife and visitor experiences. The PEA was conducted to address inadequacies in NEPA compliance associated with a 2020 NPS ruling (85 FR 69175), which defines the term “electric bicycle” and establishes rules for how they may be used, and to assess the impacts of the rule on a national level.

The rule’s findings resolve previous regulatory uncertainty about whether e-bikes were subject to existing regulations governing motor vehicles and traditional bicycles. The ruling specifically excludes e-bikes from the definition of “motor vehicle” and defines an “electric bicycle” within the model three-class system. Additionally, the rule prohibits e-bikes in areas, including public roads and parking areas, that have not been designated by the superintendent for e-bike use. The exception is where the use of motor vehicles by the public is allowed. Additionally, the rule prohibits using the electric motor exclusively to move an e-bike for an extended period of time without pedaling. The rule applies the same operational requirements to e-bikes that apply to traditional bicycles.

The rule does not mandate the use of e-bikes anywhere in the National Park System. Instead, it authorizes park superintendents to allow e-bikes where traditional bicycles are already allowed. The superintendent of each park unit has the discretion to allow e-bike use — or not — on a case-by-case basis. 

PeopleForBikes believes e-bikes can be responsibly integrated into park systems with thoughtful policies in place. Many parks, including Great Smoky Mountains National Park, have already undergone the NEPA review process and authorized the use of e-bikes on park paths, setting an example for other parks to follow.

For more information on the PEA’s findings and a summary of the document, visit PeopleForBikes’ Research Library. 

For more information on nationwide e-bike policies and PeopleForBikes’ ongoing e-bike advocacy work, please visit peopleforbikes.org/topics/electric-bikes or email Senior Manager of Recreation Policy Rachel Fussell at rachel@peopleforbikes.org.