A state order approved Thursday took effect immediately and aims to expand the types of electric bikes allowed on state park trails, as well as the number of trails open to e-bike use.

The Department of Natural Resources announced that its director, Scott Bowen, approved a land use ordinance during the Michigan Natural Resources Commission’s monthly meeting held in Detroit at the Cadillac Place Building. The ordinance, which expands the permissible use of e-bikes on state-managed non-motorized bike trails, was first presented to the commission in June 2024.

“This decision makes our trails even more inclusive and provides opportunities for those who cannot bike unaided but still want to continue riding and enjoy the outdoors,” said Ron Olson, DNR’s Division of Parks and Recreation director, in a statement Thursday. “We expect all cyclists and trail users will continue to follow proper trail etiquette so that all users can stay safe and enjoy the extensive nature trail network.”

An e-bike is a bicycle with a small, rechargeable electric motor that can assist the pedaling rider or take over the pedaling completely. It makes cycling more inclusive.

According to the DNR, a bicycle must meet the following requirements to be considered an e-bike in Michigan:

• There must be a seat or saddle for the rider to sit on.
• The pedals must be fully functional.
• The electric motor must not have more than 750 watts (or 1 hp).

Whether riders are allowed to ride an e-bike on a trail depends, among other things, on the class of the e-bike, the type of trail and whether the authority that manages or oversees the trail permits the use.

The approved regulation expands the operation of Class 1 e-bikes to allow them to use paved surface trails, such as straight paths (paved or gravel/asphalt) and non-motorized natural surface bike paths/trails in state parks and recreation areas and on state forest trails and roads.

The overriding concern when it comes to allowing e-bikes on trails, according to the DNR, is the issue of safety — particularly when it comes to speed. Class 1 e-bikes have pedal assist and can travel up to 20 miles per hour.

In addition, according to the zoning ordinance, Class 2 e-bikes, which have throttle and pedal assistance and can travel up to 20 miles per hour, are permitted to be ridden on the trails/routes approved for use by Class 1 e-bikes for mobility purposes, provided the cyclist has applied for and received a free permit to do so.

Before the regulation was approved, Class 1 e-bikes were only permitted on paved paths and roads on government-managed land.

“Today’s approval by the director makes trail riding easier for people who may not have the physical ability to ride a traditional bike,” said Tim Novak, the DNR’s state trail coordinator, in a statement Thursday. “This includes people with disabilities, older adults and really anyone who wants some assistance while riding a bike. Class 1 e-bikes require pedaling, which provides a great health benefit to riders.”

The DNR plans to put up signs at trailheads indicating the permitted use of e-bikes.

E-bikes remain prohibited on state game and wildlife areas, on congressionally authorized trails such as the North Country National Scenic Trail or these three trails in Pigeon River Country in the northern Lower Peninsula: High Country, Shingle Mill and Pickerel Lake. Class 3 e-bikes, which have pedal assist and reach a maximum speed of 28 mph, remain prohibited on all state-managed non-motorized trails.

The land use change, which affects about 3,000 miles of non-motorized trails managed by state parks, comes after months of research and discussions between DNR staff and trail user groups, including the League of Michigan Bicyclists and the Michigan Mountain Bike Alliance. The DNR also gathered feedback on the then-proposed change through a public survey conducted earlier this year.

Matt Penniman, communications and advocacy director for the League of Michigan Bicyclists and the Michigan Mountain Bike Alliance, said the groups supported Bowen’s approval of the order.

“Theodore Roosevelt once wrote, ‘I believe in power, but I believe that with power should come responsibility,'” Penniman said in a statement Thursday. “We believe in the power of e-bikes to give more people access to Michigan’s incredible mountain bike trails. We also believe in the responsibility of riders to follow the rules, practice good trail etiquette and treat our trails with respect.”

“We expect the DNR to continue to take a responsible approach by providing increased funding for education, enforcement and trail maintenance in parallel with increased use,” Penniman continued.

Nicole Hunt, head of a regulatory unit at the DNR, said that e-bike use is actually continuing to grow across the country and that many states are opening up certain areas for their use.

“The DNR’s decision to move forward with this land use change was not based on a desire to be trendy, but rather on providing people with more recreational opportunities while respecting our state’s natural and cultural resources,” Hunt said in a statement Thursday.

“The federal government has recognized the benefits of e-bikes for recreational use on trails and has updated its regulations for providing federal grants for the construction of non-motorized trails on natural trails. The use of e-bikes on trails constructed with federal funds is now no longer prohibited,” Hunt continued.

Novak said the DNR has also studied how other states allow the use of e-bikes.

“We compared other states and local trail systems that allow e-bikes on natural trails without motors and found that there have been no conflicts, injuries or unnecessary depletion of our natural resources that would raise concerns about expanding e-bike use,” Novak said.

Arkansas’ state parks system stood out because it has a large number of trails, including mountain bike trails, and has allowed e-bikes for years with no issues, according to Hunt.

The DNR plans to monitor e-bike use in the coming months.

For more information about e-biking in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/DNR/Ebikes online.