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Mar 05, 2025

Proposed rules would expand e-bike access on Oregon State Park roads, trails and beaches – BikePortland

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) has proposed new rules that would govern how electric-assisted bicycles (e-bikes) can legally be operated on State Park properties and on the Oregon

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) has proposed new rules that would govern how electric-assisted bicycles (e-bikes) can legally be operated on State Park properties and on the Oregon Coast. The draft rules vastly improve e-bike access, bringing them more in line with rules for traditional, non-motorized bicycles.

Rules that govern e-bikes in parks and beaches have not kept up with the booming popularity and accessibility of a wide array of motorized bicycles. Currently, e-bikes are allowed on OPRD trails over eight feet wide and on the ocean shore where driving on the beach by car users is allowed. However, “With the popularity of e-assisted bike recreation increasing, the agency is finding that current rules do not clearly accommodate growing need and cause confusion among all visitors,” reads a February 25th 2025 memo to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission.

A bill passed by the Oregon Legislature last year (that went into effect January 1, 2025) finally gave OPRD a clear definition of what qualifies as an e-bike and paved the way for new rules that would give park managers and rangers more clarity on how to regulate them. The bill (HB 4103) split e-bikes into three classes and put limits on the power output of the motor (1,000 watts max) and top speed (20 mph).

OPRD launched a formal rulemaking effort in June 2024 and an advisory committee met four times last fall. In addition to the formal advisory body, OPRD received nearly 4,000 public comments last summer on the issue of e-bike use.

Below is a summary of the proposed rule changes:

“The proposed rules balance access to public lands for diverse recreation options while protecting the state’s resources and existing recreation opportunities,” OPRD said in a memo. “Implementation of any changes will require more than rule enforcement and the agency is prepared to commit to an extensive education and outreach campaign.”

OPRD is seeing public comments on these proposed rules now through April 1st. You can submit comments via the rules website or you can attend a virtual public hearing on March 17th or 26th. Once the public comment period ends, any new updates will go to the Parks and Recreation Commission in April or June for possible final adoption. Once that happens, the new rules would be implemented in July once the agency has changed signages and maps.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, contact me via email at [email protected], or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a paying subscriber.