Help fund the large-scale assessment of environmental impacts for e-bike access in Tahoe!

The environmental review process is a lengthy and expensive step in establishing responsible e-bike access on trails. This large-scale review process is poised to serve as a game-changing model for effectively expanding e-bike access nationwide.

Why is a forest-wide approach important?

Currently, the only way to authorize eMTBs on natural surface trails is to complete an NEPA EA for every trail system within a National Forest district. What is being proposed by Tahoe National Forest and administered by Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, is a forest-wide EA, which could revolutionize eMTB access issues by allowing access to entire forest districts and not just individual trail systems.
A forest-wide EA has the potential to significantly speed up the adoption of Class 1 eMTBs on natural surface trails within the USFS.
Additionally, the forest-wide EA could be a model for other land managers across the nation and other USFS districts. This approach may be a catalyst for increasing the rate at which eMTBs could be allowed on natural surface trails, getting these assessments off the ground faster and at a lower cost (due to fewer NEPA EAs needing to be done).

Why is this important for PeopleForBikes and the bicycle industry?

Creates opportunity for eMTB access:

Centralized approach (forest-wide vs trail system)
Precedent-setting (USFS districts nationwide)
Reusable playbook (for other land managers)
Momentum (more access creates opportunities)

People For Bikes - eMTB

By Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship

People For Bikes - eMTB

Tahoe National Forest Forest-wide NEPA Environmental Assessment: Future e-MTB Access in Tahoe