Electric bicycles may be allowed to operate on state park-managed nonmotorized trails currently open to bicycles, under a proposed DNR land use change that could go into effect as early as this spring.

Under current Michigan law, only Class 1 e-bikes – e-bikes that are pedal-assisted and can go up to 20 miles per hour – are allowed on improved surface trails, which are trails that are paved or consist of gravel or asphalt. Current law also allows for local entities to expand or further regulate e-bike usage in their respective communities.

A public survey about the proposed land use change is open through March 31, and results will be shared during the April 11 Michigan Natural Resources Commission meeting. The proposed policy change will go before DNR Director Scott Bowen for action at the commission’s May meeting, with any approved change going into effect immediately thereafter.

The proposed DNR land use change – explained in more detail in this recent DNR news release – would expand allowable e-bike use to include Class 1 e-bikes on natural surface, nonmotorized trails on state park-managed land open to bicycles.

Learn more about what qualifies as an e-bike in Michigan, the current e-bike policy on state-managed park land and survey details at Michigan.gov/ DNR/Ebikes. Directly access the e-bike survey at research.net/r/ DNR-E-BIKE.

Questions? Contact Nicole Hunt at 517-282-9970.