Michigan DNR E-Bike Land Use Order Survey

The purpose of this survey is to gather public input on the proposed Land Use Order of the Director regarding e-bike use on state-managed trails (except those located on wildlife or state forest lands).

Definitions

For the purposes of this survey, a trail is defined as any natural surface or improved surface (gravel, limestone, asphalt) path that is managed for the primary purpose of pedestrian use on either foot or bicycle, but may include other uses such as horseback, snowmobile or ORV. These may include:

Linear rail trails or linear state parks
Mountain bike trails
Pedestrian pathways within parks
Other natural surface, nonmotorized corridors

The state of Michigan defines an electric bicycle (or e-bike) as a bicycle that has a small rechargeable electric motor that can give a boost to the pedaling rider or can take over pedaling completely. To qualify as an e-bike in Michigan, the bike must meet the following requirements:

It must have a seat or saddle for the rider to sit.
There must be fully operational pedals.
It must have an electric motor of no more than 750 watts (or 1 horsepower).

Class 1

An e-bike equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and disengages or ceases to function when the bike reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour.

Class 2

An e-bike equipped with a motor that propels the bike, whether the rider is pedaling or not, to a speed of no more than 20 miles per hour and disengages or ceases to function when the brakes are applied, or throttle is released.

Class 3

An e-bike equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and disengages or ceases to function when the bike reaches a speed of 28 miles per hour.

Unclassified (not an e-bike)

Max. assisted speed above limits OR
Motor power over 750 watts OR
No seat / no pedals
May be a motorcycle / moped / ORV

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* 1. Are you a Michigan resident?

Yes

Prefer not to answer

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* 2. What is your age?

Under 18

18-29

30-39

40-49

50-64

65 and older

Prefer not to answer

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* 3. How often do you ride your bike on a state-managed trail, as defined above?

Daily

Once per week or more

Once per month or more

Less than once per month

I do not ride on state-managed trails

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* 4. Where do you most often ride your bike on state-managed trails?

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Southwest Lower Peninsula

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Northwest Lower Peninsula

North Central Lower Peninsula

East Upper Peninsula

Central Upper Peninsula

West Upper Peninsula

I do not ride on state-managed trails

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* 5. Which other areas do you also ride? Choose all that apply:

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Southwest Lower Peninsula

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Northwest Lower Peninsula

North Central Lower Peninsula

East Upper Peninsula

Central Upper Peninsula

West Upper Peninsula

None of the above

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* 6. If you ride on trails, do you ride an e-bike?

Yes

Sometimes

I do not ride on trails

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* 7. When you ride an e-bike, what class of e-bike do you typically ride?

Class 1

Class 2

Class 3

Unknown or Unclassified

I do not ride an e-bike

Current allowable use

Currently, on state-managed trails, use of varying classes of e-bikes are allowed as follows:

	Class 1	Class 2	Class 3
Allowed on roads and bike lanes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Allowed on linear paved trails	Yes, but can be regulated	No	No
Allowed on nonmotorized, natural surface trails (such as mountain bike trails)	No, but can be authorized	No, but can be authorized	No
Allowed on motorized, natural surface trails (such as ORV trails)	Yes	Yes	Yes

Proposed Land Use Order of the Director

The proposed Land Use Order would expand e-bike use as follows:

A person may operate a Class 1 electric bicycle on a trail which is open to bicycle use on any Parks and Recreation Division-administered lands.
A person with a mobility impairment may operate a Class 2 electric bicycle on a trail open to bicycle use located on any Parks and Recreation Division-administered lands with the issuance of a use permit.
This Order shall be reviewed after a period of one year from the effective date to allow the Department time to assess the impact of electric bicycle use on natural surface trails. If after the one-year period there is evidence of any negative impact, the Order shall be rescinded. However, if no negative impact is evident after the one-year period, the Order shall remain in effect.

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* 8. As it is written above, do you support or oppose this proposed Land Use Order?

Support

Oppose

Indifferent

Michigan DNR E-Bike Land Use Order Survey

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* 1. Are you a Michigan resident?

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* 2. What is your age?

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* 3. How often do you ride your bike on a state-managed trail, as defined above?

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* 4. Where do you most often ride your bike on state-managed trails?

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* 5. Which other areas do you also ride? Choose all that apply:

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* 6. If you ride on trails, do you ride an e-bike?

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* 7. When you ride an e-bike, what class of e-bike do you typically ride?

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* 8. As it is written above, do you support or oppose this proposed Land Use Order?

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* 9. If opposed, why do you oppose this draft?

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* 10. If opposed, is there anything you would change that would make the amendment acceptable?

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* 11. Is there anything else you'd like to add regarding the proposed e-bike Land Use Order of the Director