Cuyahoga Valley National Park News Release
Tuesday Oct. 1, 2019
Pamela Barnes, 440-546-5994, 440-241-5857 (cell), or pamela_barnes@nps.gov
National Park Service Announces Local Electric Bike Policy
Brecksville, OH - In accordance with Department of Interior (DOI), dated Aug. 29, 2019, and National Park Service (NPS), dated Aug. 20, 2019, the NPS is proposing revisions to the park compendium to allow the use of electric bicycles (e-bikes) where traditional bicycles are permitted.
The Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) compendium, with the addition of e-bike rules, has been posted to the park Laws and Policies webpage. The only changes to this document from the previous compendium released earlier this summer, highlighted in color (blue), are the references to the use of e-bikes and speeds on bicycle trails.
A compendium is a written compilation of the designations, closures, permit requirements and other regulatory restrictions established under a superintendent’s discretionary authority to protect park resources and values and to provide for a quality visitor experience.
In accordance with the recent e-bike policy, the compendium defines an e-bike as a two or three-wheel cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of fewer than 750 watts (1 horsepower) that provides propulsion assistance. The 3 classes of e-bikes are also explained and defined. In areas closed to motor vehicles, the operator of an e-bike may only use the motor to assist pedal propulsion. The motor may not be used to propel an e-bike without the rider also pedaling.
The compendium now includes authorization to allow class 1 and class 2 e-bikes on all routes open to traditional bicycles, including the Towpath Trail and its connector trails. Class1 and class 2 e-bikes provide assistance to the operator only up to 20 miles per hour. Class 3 e-bikes which can provide assistance up to 28 miles per hour are not allowed on park trails. Superintendent Craig Kenkel commented that “the park recognizes there is a great benefit to keeping our e-bike rules consistent with both Cleveland and Summit Metroparks on this issue." Additionally the park will maintain its prohibition of e-bikes on the East Rim mountain bike trails for largely the same reason. More information and frequently asked questions about e-bikes in national parks are available on the e-bike webpage.
As part of the park’s outreach on this issue, the public was invited to comment on how the new e-bike policy may affect current conditions. Of 146 comments received, 102 raised concerns about speed already being too high on the towpath. “While the park has been educating trail users on Towpath etiquette for some time, we were struck by the degree to which this continues to be an issue for users" Kenkel said. “We really can and should do more. We are announcing a 15 mph speed limit for all bicycles on the bicycle trails with a limit of 5 mph in blind curves and while crossing bridges and boardwalks." The park will be working on implementing this change, along with additional user education, in the coming months.
Park staff analyzed the effects of allowing e-bikes on park trails under the National Environmental Policy Act and have determined that a Categorical Exclusion is appropriate. Documents related to the new policy and compliance review for the proposed e-bike rules have been posted on the park’s Law and Policies webpage. Consistent with Policy Memorandum 19-01, NPS staff will monitor resources and visitor use patterns to determine whether there are any unanticipated changes as a result of e-bike use.
As a part of this public release the park has also provided a memorandum from the Chief Park Ranger to the Superintendent explaining the basis for the 2019 compendium updates. This document has also been posted on the Laws and Policies webpage. The memorandum provides additional background for the proposed changes made publicly earlier this summer, as well as the updates related to e-bikes.
This advisory is to inform the public of the e-bike revisions to the compendium and to invite the public to comment on them from December 1 to Dec. 30, 2019. Members of the public who previously submitted comments are encouraged to provide additional comments about to the draft compendium changes.
Comments received from the public will be considered (in accordance with 36 CFR Section 1.7), and the compendium will be finalized by park staff and shared with the public no later than Jan. 31, 2020. CVNP will notify the public via the park’s website and other appropriate means.
CVNP encompasses 33,000 acres along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. Managed by the National Park Service, CVNP combines cultural, historical, recreational, and natural activities in one setting. For more information visit www.nps.gov/cuva, www.facebook.com/CuyahogaValleyNationalPark or call 330-657-2752.
-NPS-
Tags: e-bikes bicycling bikes
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
