{"content":[{"text":"U.S. Forest Service \n Briefing Paper","bbox":{"left":0.38067,"top":0.042788,"width":0.23861799999999994,"height":0.05768900000000001}},{"text":"Date: February 15, 2017","bbox":{"left":0.687565,"top":0.130434,"width":0.19466700000000003,"height":0.021122000000000002}},{"text":"Topic: Electric Bicycles (E-bikes)","bbox":{"left":0.117686,"top":0.147859,"width":0.270494,"height":0.021121}},{"text":"Issue:","bbox":{"left":0.117686,"top":0.182843,"width":0.049059000000000005,"height":0.020985000000000004}},{"text":"Classification of E-bikes Under the Travel Management Rule (TMR)","bbox":{"left":0.176503,"top":0.182707,"width":0.542455,"height":0.020212000000000008}},{"text":"Summary/Key Points \n  E-bikes are motorized bicycles. \n  E-bikes are growing in popularity, and their design and capabilities are rapidly changing. \n  E-bikes travel at speeds of 20 to 28 mph, compared to pedestrians and non-motorized \n bicycles, which typically travel at speeds ranging from 3 to 10 mph. \n  The Forest Service is monitoring new technologies, visitor access and safety, social and \n sustainability issues, and natural resource effects associated with e-bike use on NFS roads \n and NFS trails. \n  The TMR defines “motor vehicle” as “any vehicle which is self-propelled, other than (1) \n a vehicle operated on rails; and (2) any wheelchair or mobility device, including one that \n is battery-powered, that is designed solely for use by a mobility-impaired person for \n locomotion, and that is suitable for use in an indoor pedestrian area.” 36 CFR 212.1. \n  This definition is consistent with the definition for a “wheelchair” in federal wilderness in \n section 508(c)(2) of the Americans With Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. 12207(c)(2). \n  E-bikes do not meet either exception to the definition of a motor vehicle in the TMR. \n  Consistent with 36 CFR 212.1, the Forest Service is managing e-bikes as motor vehicles. \n  The International Mountain Bike Association regards e-bikes as motorized devices. \n  The Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Federal Highway \n Administration, and the nations of Canada, Australia, Europe, and South Africa regard e- \n bikes as motor vehicles. \n  The National Park Service has not made a determination regarding e-bikes. \n  Under the TMR, e-bikes may be ridden where motor vehicles are allowed, including on \n National Forest System (NFS) roads open to all vehicles; NFS trails open to all vehicles; \n NFS trails open to vehicles 50 inches or less; NFS trails open to motorcycles only; and \n NFS trails open to e-bikes as a special designation. \n  The Forest Service will use the information obtained from monitoring to reassess and, if \n needed, adjust guidance for designating the use of e-bikes on NFS roads and NFS trails.","bbox":{"left":0.117686,"top":0.217995,"width":0.763918,"height":0.48695700000000003}},{"text":"Background \n E-bikes have been available for years overseas and were first used by commuters on roadways in \n Europe. There are two basic types of e-bikes, pedal-assist and throttle-twist. On pedal-assist \n e-bikes, the motor does not have to be on the entire time the bicycle is being ridden and can be \n activated by pedaling to augment human power. Throttle-twist e-bikes are activated by twisting \n the handle grip to propel the bike with or without pedaling. In addition to a motor, e-bikes have \n a battery and a controller to operate specific options.","bbox":{"left":0.117686,"top":0.720028,"width":0.760487,"height":0.12435600000000002}},{"text":"Contacts: Penny Wu, Travel Management Program Manager, pwu@fs.fed.us; Jaime Schmidt, \n Trails Program Manager, jtschmidt@fs.fed.us; Janet Zeller, Accessibility Program Manager, \n jzeller@fs.fed.us.","bbox":{"left":0.117686,"top":0.859015,"width":0.742311,"height":0.05506100000000003}}],"images_bbox":[{"left":0.112255,"top":0.040154,"width":0.104123,"height":0.084923}],"images_bbox_not_text_overlap":[{"left":0.112255,"top":0.040154,"width":0.104123,"height":0.084923}]}