ATV Industry Facts: Did You Know?

It’s electric! Boogie oogie oggie.

Since we ride ATVs, it’s very likely you haven’t been paying much attention to what’s been going on over on the bicycling (mountain biking) off road trails of any given federal park but believe it or not, a victory has come from the highest level of government that sides in favor with the off-road community.

The big debate comes on the form of something called e-bikes. If the term means nothing to you, these are bicycles equipped with electric motors. Until now, they’ve been classified as motorized vehicles – no different from our quads and SxSs and thus allowed nowhere near trails designated for hiking and cycling.

A new Trump administration order allows motorized electric bicycles and battery-powered motor bikes the same access on federal trails as a regular bicycle.

The argument against by environmentalists stating that they are just smaller ATVs/ motos didn’t hold and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt signed the order last week classifying e-bikes as non-motorized vehicles.

Effective immediately, enthusiasts can now enjoy some 400 national parks and federally managed back-country trail networks from the saddle of their e-bike.

As such trails are off-limits to ATVs and SxSs this will not affect our riding experience in any way but it is a victory for the off-road enthusiast who has, until now, been unable to enjoy the trails due to lack of fitness.