Electric Bike Access On Moab's Lazy Loop Trail

Electric bikes are allowed on some trails in Moab, Utah, but not all. On June 8, 2021, the Moab City Council passed Ordinance No. 2021-09 allowing Class 1 electric bicycles (e-bikes) on the City’s path systems, including the non-motorized Moab Canyon pathway and the non-motorized pathway along the Colorado River. However, e-bikes are not permitted on designated non-motorized mountain bike trails, such as Captain Ahab. This policy was updated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in October 2019, which put electric-powered bicycles in the same category as gas-powered vehicles.

E-bikes are allowed on all open motorized roads and trails in Moab

E-bikes are considered motorized vehicles and are therefore allowed on any motorized route open to motorcycles and off-road vehicles. This includes portions of classic trails like Porcupine Rim, where e-bikes are permitted on the "Jeep road" sections, but not the singletrack.

In June 2021, the Moab City Council passed an ordinance allowing Class 1 electric bicycles on the city's path systems and setting a 15-mile-per-hour speed limit on Mill Creek Parkway. Class 1 e-bikes are allowed on the non-motorized Moab Canyon pathway paralleling HWY 191 North, and the non-motorized pathway along the Colorado River beside HWY 128.

E-bikes (Class 1 only) are allowed on trails open to regular bicycles.

E-bikes are not allowed on designated non-motorized mountain bike trails

However, e-bikes are allowed on all open motorized roads and trails in the Moab area, including on federal public lands managed by the BLM and Forest Service. E-bikes are also permitted on portions of classic trails like Porcupine Rim, specifically on the "Jeep road" sections.

In June 2021, the Moab City Council passed an ordinance allowing Class 1 electric bicycles on the city's path systems, including the non-motorized Moab Canyon pathway and the pathway along the Colorado River. Class 1 e-bikes are those that provide assistance only when the rider is pedalling and cease to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour.

It is important to note that e-bike use is prohibited on designated non-motorized bicycle trails unless authorized by the local BLM District Manager. Trail users should always check the latest guidelines and policies before heading out on their e-bikes to ensure they are complying with the regulations.

E-bikes are allowed on the non-motorized Moab Canyon pathway

However, e-bikes are not allowed on designated non-motorized mountain bike trails. This includes trails like Captain Ahab. E-bikes are also not allowed on singletrack trails, such as the singletrack sections of Porcupine Rim.

E-bikes are allowed on the non-motorized pathway along the Colorado River

Class 1 e-bikes are those with a motor that only provides assistance when the rider is pedalling, and that stops providing assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour. They are allowed on the non-motorized Moab Canyon pathway, which runs parallel to HWY 191 North, and the non-motorized pathway along the Colorado River, which runs beside HWY 128.

However, e-bikes are not allowed on designated non-motorized mountain bike trails. This includes trails in and around Moab, such as Captain Ahab.

E-bikes are not allowed on trails designated for non-motorized use

E-bikes are considered motorized vehicles, and as such, they are not permitted on trails that are designated for non-motorized use only. This rule applies to all e-bikes, regardless of their class. While e-bikes are allowed on some trails in Moab, such as the non-motorized Moab Canyon pathway and the non-motorized pathway along the Colorado River, they are specifically prohibited on trails like Captain Ahab that are designated for mountain bikes only.

The Moab Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has issued updated guidelines that categorise electric-powered bicycles as gas-powered vehicles. This means that e-bikes are effectively banned from numerous trails in and around Moab, including singletrack trails like Porcupine Rim. However, e-bikes are permitted on the "Jeep road" sections of some classic trails, such as Porcupine Rim.

It's important to note that there are some exceptions to the rule prohibiting e-bikes on non-motorized trails. For example, the Moab City Council passed an ordinance in 2021 allowing Class 1 e-bikes on the City's path systems, including the non-motorized Moab Canyon pathway and the Colorado River pathway. Class 1 e-bikes are those that provide electric assistance only when the rider is pedalling and cease to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches 20 miles per hour.

Therefore, while e-bikes are generally not allowed on non-motorized trails, there may be specific exceptions or allowances made by local authorities or land managers. It is always important to check the regulations for a particular trail before riding an e-bike on it.

Frequently asked questions