Electric Bikes On Olympic Discovery Trail: What's Allowed?

The Olympic Discovery Trail is a route that has sparked debate about whether electric bikes should be allowed. While some people are in favour of allowing e-bikes, others have expressed safety concerns due to their bigger and heavier size compared to regular bikes. The current policy states that no motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail, but a Senate Bill has recently passed in the state legislature, dividing e-bikes into several classifications and stating where they can and can't be used. Despite the debate, class-1 pedal-assist e-bikes are currently allowed on the trail, as long as they don't have a throttle.

Class-1 pedal-assist e-bikes are allowed on the Olympic Discovery Trail, but bikes with a throttle are not

E-bikes look much like ordinary bicycles, but a small electric motor assists the rider while they’re pedaling. Some go faster than others. For the purposes of Clallam County officials, it looks like it comes down to e-bikes that max out at a speed of 20 mph, which state law now says can be ridden on multi-use trails unless otherwise restricted by local jurisdictions.

There is a lot of support to allow e-bikes on the trail, but there are also those who are expressing safety concerns. The e-bikes are bigger and heavier than a regular bike, and there is a larger possibility of out-of-control riding. The Trail Advisory Committee met on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, and was open to the public. Officials expected to see some initial recommendations from the committee sometime that summer.

The current policy states that no motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail (except wheelchairs)

The current policy states that no motorized vehicles are allowed on the Olympic Discovery Trail (except wheelchairs). However, there is some debate about whether electric-assisted bicycles, or e-bikes, should be permitted. While some people have safety concerns, there is also a lot of support for allowing e-bikes on the trail.

E-bikes look much like ordinary bicycles, but a small electric motor assists the rider while they pedal. Some go faster than others. For Clallam County officials, the decision comes down to e-bikes that max out at a speed of 20 mph, which state law says can be ridden on multi-use trails unless otherwise restricted by local jurisdictions.

The Trails Advisory Committee met in June 2019 to discuss initial recommendations and regulations around e-bike usage on the trail. While some committee members expressed concerns about the size and weight of e-bikes, others felt that they could be appropriate if used responsibly.

On the Olympic Adventure Trail, class-1 pedal-assist e-bikes are allowed, but bikes with a throttle are not.

Senate Bill 6434 divides e-bikes into several classifications and states where they can and can't be used

Electric bikes are allowed on the Olympic Discovery Trail, but only if they are class-1 pedal-assist e-bikes. Bikes with a throttle are not allowed.

• Class 1: E-assist only while pedalling, with a maximum speed of 20 mph.
• Class 2: Can be propelled solely by the motor, with a maximum speed of 20 mph.
• Class 3: E-assist only while pedalling, with a maximum speed of 28 mph, and has a speedometer.

The bill also gives land managers specific authority to regulate the use of e-bikes on their properties.

E-bikes are bigger and heavier than regular bikes, which could cause safety issues

Electric bikes are allowed on the Olympic Discovery Trail, but only class-1 pedal-assist e-bikes. Bikes with a throttle are not allowed.

E-bikes that max out at a speed of 20 mph can be ridden on multi-use trails in Clallam County unless otherwise restricted by local jurisdictions. Senate Bill 6434 divides e-bikes into several classifications and states where they can and can't be used.

There is a lot of support to allow e-bikes on the trail, but there are also safety concerns

There is a lot of support to allow e-bikes on the Olympic Discovery Trail, but there are also safety concerns. The current policy states that no motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail, except for wheelchairs. However, with the emergence of electric-assisted bicycles, or e-bikes, and the passing of Senate Bill 6434, Clallam County officials are forced to reconsider this policy. The bill divides e-bikes into several classifications, and it looks like, for Clallam County, the decision comes down to e-bikes that max out at a speed of 20 mph, which state law now says can be ridden on multi-use trails unless otherwise restricted by local jurisdictions.

While some people on the Trails Advisory Committee disagree, there is support for allowing e-bikes on the trail. One argument in favour is that e-bikes look much like ordinary bicycles, with a small electric motor assisting the rider while they pedal. However, there are concerns about the potential impact of e-bikes, which are bigger and heavier than regular bikes, and the possibility of out-of-control riding if they are misused. The Trails Advisory Committee is expected to make initial recommendations regarding e-bike usage on the trail, and it will be interesting to see their decision.

On a related note, it is worth mentioning that class-1 pedal-assist e-bikes are allowed on the Olympic Adventure Trail, while bikes with a throttle are not. This distinction is important to note, as it shows that there is some flexibility in allowing certain types of e-bikes on specific trails, depending on their features and local regulations.

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