This handbook was developed in partnership with the bicycling industry and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in consultation with professional trail builders. It is intended to be a practical field resource for the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and management of electric mountain bike trails.
by PeopleForBikes, Bureau of Land Management
HOW TO USE THIS HANDBOOK
This handbook was developed in partnership with the bicycling industry and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in consultation with professional trail builders. It is intended to be a practical field resource for the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and management of electric mountain bike trails.
WHY
Electric mountain bikes, or eMTBs, first began appearing on trails as custom conversion kits containing after-market batteries and motors attached to mountain bikes. Over the past several years, the sale of production eMTBs has steadily grown, particularly in Europe. In general, the overall e-bike category in the U.S. has grown about 450% since 2013, with year-over-year growth averaging around 50%.
Launched in 1999 as Bikes Belong, PeopleForBikes includes both an industry coalition of bicycling suppliers and retailers, as well as a charitable foundation. Our foundation is where we house our major programs and engage individual members, affiliate organizations, and corporate sponsors.
The Bureau of Land Management in the US Dept. of the Interior sponsors many courses and workshops through a variety of training opportunities. Trails, recreation, land management, technical training, and public involvement are topics that are frequently covered. The BLM has also been a leader in establishing and developing the National Trails Training Partnership.
FAQ: Apps for Trail Management and Volunteers
posted May 19, 2021
Information on apps that can be used for trail management that would be suitable for volunteer-type organizations.
posted Dec 22, 2020
This study aimed to compare conventional mountain bike and eMTB use. This was done by investigating 2 questions: (1) What proportion of exercise response is retained for an experienced mountain biker while using an eMTB when compared with a conventional mountain bike? and (2) What are the perceptions and beliefs of experienced mountain bikers toward eMTBs both before and after riding an eMTB?
Perceptions of Conflict Surrounding Future E-Bike Use on the Arizona Trail
posted Oct 27, 2020
On average, the majority of survey respondents disapprove of e-bikes being allowed on the trail. This remains true across the board for each of the major user groups; however, mountain bike rider respondents are less likely to disapprove of allowing e-bikes on non-motorized trails and equestrian respondents are more likely to disapprove.
Trail Use and Management of Electric Mountain Bikes: Land Manager Survey Results
posted Aug 13, 2020
In order to better guide research into the range of potential social and environmental impacts and benefits related to the use of eMTBs on natural surface trails, IMBA and the BPSA are interested in what questions land managers have regarding this new use. The survey explicitly targeted land managers’ experiences and concerns regarding eMTB use on natural surface and/or singletrack trails – not paths or bikeways – although some land managers are responsible for both types of trail infrastructure.
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