The U.S. Forest Service has not yet approved a plan to allow electric bicycles (e-bikes) on trails in the Lake Tahoe Basin, contrary to earlier reports. The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is still in the process of evaluating a proposal that could potentially open up more than 100 miles of trails to e-bikes.

The Basin Wide Trails Analysis Project, which includes the e-bike proposal, is currently undergoing environmental assessment. The Forest Service expects to release the Final Environmental Assessment and a Draft Decision Notice in late August 2024. This will be followed by a 45-day administrative review period for those who have previously commented on the project and have standing to object.

If approved, the plan would allow Class I e-bikes, which are pedal-assisted and can reach speeds up to 20 mph, on designated trails. The proposal also includes the potential construction of new routes and upgrades to existing infrastructure.

The LTBMU received 660 comment letters during the public comment period in September 2023 and has been working to update the Environmental Assessment based on this feedback. The agency is also completing a required formal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Currently, e-bike use is only permitted on National Forest roads and trails in the Tahoe Basin that are designated for motor vehicle use, in accordance with the Forest Service’s Travel Management Rule.

A final decision on the project is estimated to be released in November 2024. This timeline reflects the complex nature of the proposal and the Forest Service’s commitment to thorough environmental assessment and public engagement in the decision-making process.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ltbmu/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1192762