Electric-assist bikes (e-bikes or e-mtbs) are gaining popularity in the Tar Heel state. Where can you ride them?
E-bikes are allowed in state forests where bikes are permitted, but not state game lands on natural surface trails.
According to N.C. State Parks, e-bikes are allowed anywhere bikes are allowed. Not all state parks have dedicated bike trails. Falls Lake does, Jordan Lake does not. Lake Norman SP, Statesville, and Lake James SP, Nebo, have some of the best. Umstead SP, Cary section, has plenty of gravel trails.
North Carolina Forest Service rules classify all e-bikes (including pedal-assist) as motorized vehicles and only allow them on forest roads that are open to the general public. They do not currently have any forest roads open to public vehicles.
There are other forest options for people who want to ride an e-bike. Pisgah National Forest has miles of gravel roads that are open to cars, motorcycles and e-bikes. Like DuPont State Recreational Forest, however, Pisgah National Forest does not allow e-bikes anywhere that a car is not allowed to go. Pedal-assist (class 1e-bikes) are allowed at Ride Kanuga in Hendersonville, and all e-bikes are allowed on Fire Mountain in Cherokee, and in Buffalo Creek Park in Lake Lure.
Riders must be 16+ in age and those under 18 must wear helmets.
Keep the speed under 20-25 mph and observe traditional bike etiquette rules when passing runners, pedestrians.
On private hunting lands, using an e-bike is an agreement between the rider and the landowner. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission classifies e-bikes as vehicles and only allows them on some game lands roads as vehicles.
In Durham, e-bikes and motorized scooters are not permitted on pedestrian sidewalks and greenways. Use bike lanes or ride to the right on the highway.
Chapel Hill says e-bikers can ride on Chapel Hill trails and greenways. Check out the bike trail maps at city rec centers.
Greg Kopsch at Carolina North Forest, Chapel Hill, said, “Until it becomes an issue, here’s what I tell people when they ask about e-bikes:
Nothing with a throttle.
Nothing with a speedometer.
We may adopt a different attitude if e-bikes become an issue with other users or create adverse trail impacts.”
All classes of e-bikes are prohibited in Duke Forest, all sections. Mountain bikes are OK.
E-bikes are not allowed at Little River Regional Park, Rougemont, or on Triangle Land Conservancy trails at Brumley North Forest in Chapel Hill or Williamson Preserve in Raleigh.
“We are studying this policy as it relates to accessibility,” TLC tells CSN.
No bikes of any kind are allowed at Eno River State Park. Only hikers, runners are welcome on trails.
In Raleigh, e-bikes with no more than 750 watts and pedal power are allowed at Wake County 286, the 150-acre property between the RDU Airport and Lake Crabtree CP leased by Wake Co. Parks from the Airport Authority for cycling.
Before heading out for a ride be sure to check TORC trail conditions and availability status at torc-nc.org/trail-status.
J.B.