By DANA TIMS/Lincoln Chronicle
Beginning July 1, electric-assisted bicycles will be allowed in most areas of Oregon state parks where regular bicycles currently are allowed, and on almost all wet-sand stretches of the state’s 363 miles of ocean beaches.
Those changes were unanimously approved recently by the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission.
“E-bikes are definitely growing in popularity and the commission decided that it was time to take a look at rules pertaining to them,” Stepfanie Knowlton, public information officer for the state parks and recreation department, told the Lincoln Chronicle. “We looked at the balance between access to public lands for different kinds of options and protections of existing resources.”
The decision followed a number of public hearings and opportunities for public comment on the topic of expanding where e-bikes can be used in state parks and along the beach.
The new rules allow e-bikes on all trails and paths in state parks currently used by regular bicycles. It does not expand e-bike use to trails that do not currently allow bicycles, such as hiking-only or equestrian-only trails.
Previously, e-bikes were restricted in state parks to trails at least eight feet in width where traditional bicycles are permitted.
Under current state rules, e-bikes on beaches are limited to areas where motor vehicles are allowed. The revised rules will now allow e-assisted bikes on wet sand beyond designated vehicle access areas. Their use will be prohibited in dry sand, dunes and protected habitat areas, such as designated snowy plover nesting sites.
The rules pertain to class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes, which encompass pedal-assist-only bikes with top speeds of 20 mph through bikes with pedal assist, throttle and a top speed of up to 28 mph.
Any two-wheeled vehicle above that is considered a motor vehicle and will not be allowed on state parks trails or wet sand beaches.
The commission’s decision to alter rules pertaining to e-bikes came after two virtual meetings and a public involvement process that elicited 165 comments. Of those, 123 expressed concerns primarily about speed differences and safety hazards on narrow trails. A total of 38 comments supported the language for the proposed changes.
Jeanne Gile, owner of the Safari Town Surf Shop in Lincoln City, said the rule changes may be sufficient for her to purchase e-bikes to rent.
“We have people come in all the time asking to rent e-bikes,” she said. “But because they aren’t allowed on the beaches around here, we just haven’t moved ahead to add any to our inventory. With the new changes, we’ll definitely consider buying some.”
- Dana Tims is an Oregon freelance writer who contributes regularly to Lincoln Chronicle, formerly YachatsNews, and can be reached at DanaTims24@gmail.com
Total baloney. What about the people who just want a peaceful walk on the beach? These ebikers think they own the beach.
What about people that want to ride a bike vs walk?
Its not like there will be 50 ebikes a full throttle zipping up and down the beach.
Better yet what about the people that want to enjoy a walk on the beach but get run up on by dogs?
I agree about the dogs & w/ebikes there will be the same problem: state parks will say, speed limit of X and some rides will ignore the rule, same way too many dog owners think it’s fine to let their poorly or untrained dogs off lead & don’t even bother to bring a leash (leashes) w/them–soo they can harass other dogs, people & shorebirds.. But w/ebikes riding near the water & so many people feeling walking right next to the water is the only way to “experience” the beach, & loose/uncontrolled dogs running anywhere, leaves pretty much no safe space for the shorebirds that also want to use that area near the water to (1) find food, (2) rest, (3) some birds use the creeks where they run into the ocean was a source of water for cleaning their feathers( I’ve seen black oystercatchers & seagulls doing that). Guess who loses out? The birds whose habitat it is, who, unlike humans, have few other options.
People w/their dogs can go elsewhere, as can e-bike riders (and pedestrians) but the shorebirds? They’re running out of quiet beaches to go to already. I”m sure the increasing number of people & loose dogs on the beach isn’t the only reason I see far fewer shore birds/migrating birds on the local beaches where I live then I did 20 years ago, but I don’t doubt it’s one of the reasons. No way will OR ever find the money to fund enough coast rangers, or state parks decide to authorize the rangers to ticket dog owners w/out of control/people & bird harasing dogs or speeding e-bikers who think it’s “fun” to scatter the birds and possibly to see how fast they can get through/past groups of people (some skateboarders & cyciists do it land as well as refusing to obey traffic rules in towns.
I’ve seen people on foot do the sam (chase birds because it’s so fun to make them fly). Hard to fix self-absorption & an inability to see other species as worthy of respect—oother then dogs, that is, even if so many don’t seem to respect them enough to obedience train them–effectively).
I agree, they do not belong on the beaches.
Wrong, not all ebikers think this. Walkers are not the only people that are allowed to enjoy our beaches
Is there any place on this planet or state that is free from mechanized travel? I think this is a bad idea and time will tell. Enforcement on beach laws is already a joke. Parks staff have neither the time nor inclination to engage in meaningful enforcement. Who drove this decision? Why wasn’t a sunset clause included in the ruling?
Why not gas powered motorcycles. They’ve been popular for a century. 🙄
The beaches should be for peaceful walks while enjoying the beach and the wildlife. Allowing bikes of any kind destroys and disrespects the environment and experience.
It’s bad enough to have to dodge ev bikes on our roads now we will have them racing down our beaches. If Oregonians got to vote on this it would be a big no, we have been run over by elitists racing to agate beds and disturbing wildlife. Will be interesting when they break down. Coast Guard rescue? Tow trucks on the beach? I call baloney on Oregon State Parks.
I also call baloney on this dumb dumb dumb move by state parks. I’ve been complaining to them for years for failing to enforce the rule against motorized vehicles on beaches, and e-bikes are motorized. Instead of going after companies renting out e-bikes for illegal use on beaches, they make them legal. Phooey! Walking on the beach already can be a pain due to all the irresponsible dog owners who fail to control their dogs as required by law. Now we’re going to get overrun by electric bikes.
I have an e-bike that I ride because after I had both my knees replaced I sometimes just need that extra ‘UMPH’ to get peddling. I follow all the same rules as regular bikes and actually obey the rules of the road, unlike many bicycle riders I see now. Since I am not a strong bike rider, I am very cautious around walkers and am sorry to hear of those with bad experiences with other e bikers.
I am grateful I can now legally ride on the beach.
I am angry to see this, our peaceful beaches where one could walk without having to dodge, see or stay out of the way of anything motorized are now gone. I love to walk near the water’s edge, but apparently I have to share that with motorized bikes whizzing by and try and stay out of their way. You know people will take advantage of this, wildlife will be affected as well. So much for shorebirds landing and searching for food by the water. We get enough of motorized transportation everywhere else, thanks parks and recreations for taking away one of the last beautiful places many of us could go for a peaceful walk.
I have mixed feelings on this. I am an e-bike owner and are very respectful of walkers and anywhere I ride. As long as they respect the land, people and wildlife then great. If not they should be banned.
Wow, God forbid people enjoy themselves in any fashion other than the way you feel is appropriate. If you all really think that 363 miles of beaches are going to be overrun 24/7 by e bikes … that’s just ridiculous. The beaches belong to everyone, regardless of whether they’re on an electric bike or not. The biggest downfall to this decision that I see is going to be a bunch of people attempting to ruin people’s day by trying to stop them from riding or bullying them into leaving. I’ve spent plenty a day at the beaches here and have had more than a few days where in hours I only see two or three other people the entire time. If people all of a sudden think the beaches will be overcrowded by bikes at the snap of a finger then maybe the outside world just isn’t for you anyway.
Not so long ago ebikes were a rare novelty…now they are everywhere, sidewalks, roads, parking lots….and while I certainly give the responsible ebikers kudos, I have also seen far too many swerving across roads, bursting down sidewalks weaving around pedestrians, coming out of nowhere in parking lots….and the same irresponsibility will happen on the beaches. This is not about “appropriateness” but about fairness….if it’s motorized, it should go on a designated area on the beach along with other motorized transportation where pedestrians know not to walk. We don’t turn all of our hiking trails and natural areas over to ebikes and other motorized transportation for good reason…so I fail to see why our entire coastline should see the beginnings of motorized transportation access. People deserve, and our cherished beaches and wildlife deserve, stretches/areas of beach that are as peaceful as possible just like any other forests or other natural public lands.
Tell me you haven’t had much experience on the beach. Lifetime local. The sand will ruin the bearings. You can’t keep it out and you can’t wash it away. Most of us learn this as youngsters. We also learn to repack bearings and grease them. We only took our beater beach bikes on the sand. Have fun. We’re chuckling at you.