Bureau of Reclamation Invites Public Comments on Draft Environmental Assessment for E-Bike Use

BOULDER CITY, Nev. - The Bureau of Reclamation is inviting public comments on a draft environmental assessment that analyzes the use of electric bicycles (E-bikes) on select Reclamation lands in the Lower Colorado Basin. Currently, E-bikes are not authorized on Reclamation roads and trails; however, many of these areas already experience significant E-bike use, as the laws governing them are not widely known and are difficult to enforce.

The proposed areas for E-bike use are popular recreation destinations along established roads and multi-use trails where non-motorized bicycles are already permitted. If these areas are officially opened to E-bikes, Reclamation's managing partners and agencies with overlapping jurisdictions will have the authority to regulate them as needed.

The draft EA is available online at Bureau of Reclamation Environmental Documents. The public comment period will close on June 13, 2025.

Comments can be submitted to Reclamation via email at prj-lcr-nepa@usbr.gov or by mail to the following address:

Bureau of Reclamation
Lower Colorado Regional Office
Attn: Resource Management Office Chief (LC-2000)
P.O. Box 61470
Boulder City, NV 89006

Mailed comments must be postmarked by June 13, 2025. In your response, please refer to the public notice title and date. If no response is received by the expiration date, a "no comment" response will be assumed.

Please be aware that your entire comment, including any personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can request to withhold your personal information from public review, there are no guarantees that we will be able to do so.

For more information, contact Mike Boyles at the email address provided above.

Proposed Action Summary:

Under the proposed action, the Bureau of Reclamation's Lower Colorado Basin Regional Director would have the authority to authorize E-bike use on existing multi-use trails and roads within Reclamation lands. Selected roads and trails could be documented in subsequent decision memoranda based on the analysis contained within the EA. The Regional Director may allow Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 E-bikes, as defined in 43 CFR § 420.5(h), on Reclamation roads and trails already open to non-motorized bicycles.

The proposed areas for E-bike use are popular recreation destinations where non-motorized bicycles are permitted. Many of these locations already see significant E-bike activity, making it important to establish clear regulations. By treating E-bikes the same as non-motorized bicycles, Reclamation aims to streamline regulatory processes and enhance co-management of these popular roads and trails.