Healthy Trails to You!

Trail-riding can be magical!

Exploring national and state parks, trail systems, and unblemished outdoor spaces through biking has many benefits for Baby Boomers, their children, grandchildren, extended families and friends. Riding helps healing; encourages entire families and groups to stay fit together; and allows people of all ages to enjoy many benefits of being outdoors. But it can be difficult for different ages or those with medical impairments to ride on the same level.

For families with different skill levels wanting to explore nature trails, e-bikes are a godsend. Inbuilt pedal-assist features are an equalizer on long challenging trail rides, empowering children to keep up with parents, or an injured or less fit person to easily ride alongside a partner or group.

Regionally, it is prudent for e-bikers to check current and potential regulations in both Michigan and Florida to determine if trails they want to explore have restrictions. Initially, the U.S. national Forest Service ruled that e-bikes were motorized vehicles, and prohibited them on trails in national forests, restricting them to roads and other motor vehicle routes. But in late 2022, the national agency reversed that opinion. They now have designated e-bikes a distinct category. Officials responsible for each national forest now have the authority to determine individual e-bike usage rules. Cities, towns, and state agencies responsible for trails can also legally set their own rules.

As a rule of thumb, in state parks and wildlife management areas, e-bikes are usually allowed wherever conventional bikes are ridden, provided the bike has a feature that cuts off the electric motor when it reaches 20 miles per hour.

At Great Lakes Segway, Walled Lake Pedego, Mount Dora Pedego and Segway of Central Florida, we encourage trail riding. It enables citizens to understand, explore and support the state and national trail systems, which are paid for by their taxes, and open to everyone.

FLORIDA – E-BIKING REGULATIONS AND TRAILS

Florida, the Sunshine State, is known for temperate weather year-round, with gorgeous outdoor venues and trails to explore on an e-bike. As of January 2023, Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes are ALL generally allowed in Florida, as long as the bike speed does not exceed 28 miles per hour and does not have an electric motor with a wattage above 750 watts. E-bikes meeting that criteria are allowed anywhere standard bikes are allowed. This includes roads and roadway shoulders (in the right lane), bike lanes, bike paths, and multiuse paths (like those allowing pedestrians and bikes).

Florida does have age restrictions for e-bike use like those for automobile use. You must be at least 16 years of age, but you don’t need special insurance, or a license, to legally ride a Florida e-bike. Helmets are also optional, although we strongly recommend them, as well as other protective gear, particularly for twilight, evening, or early morning rides.

Rules for trail riding depend on the type of trail. While the Florida State Department of Environmental Protection permits e-bikes in all areas where normal bicycles are permitted, some state parks restrict e-bike usage. Check with the individual state park before riding.

And for other specialized locations (like popular beaches), situations may vary. As an example, e-bikes are currently banned in some places, like Sanibel Island. There have also been discussions about banning e-bikes in Fort Myers Beach. Other areas, like Pinellas Beach communities, have banned e-bikes on the sand. It is wise to check, locally, before planning to travel to those scenic locales.

By contrast, some bike paths in Florida are known for being very e-bike friendly. Some of those include the Alafia River State Park Trail (8.5 miles, accessible from Lithia), Jonathan Dickinson State Park Trail (9 miles, accessible from Jupiter), Oleta River State Park Trail (17 miles, accessible from North Miami Beach), or Fort Clinch State Park Trail (5.4 miles, accessible from Fernandina Beach).

MICHIGAN – E-BIKING REGULATIONS AND TRAILS

In the state of Michigan, where trails can be harder to traverse, and even impassable in inclement winter weather, you can still travel on all three classes of e-bikes on paved roads where a non-electric bicycle can be ridden. Additionally, you may operate an e-bike on any part of a highway that is open to a conventional bicycle, including a lane designated for the exclusive use of bicycles on the shoulder. (The Michigan state legislation covering this is older, but relatively clear.)

Unlike Florida, though, trails inside Michigan state parks may be restricted by the bike you choose. You may use a Class 1 e-bike on a rail trail (or linear trail) that has asphalt or crushed limestone (or similar) surface unless otherwise temporarily prohibited by construction, maintenance or more. Examples of great linear trails where you can ride a Class 1 e-bike include: Polly Ann State Rail Trail, Musketawa Trail, Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park, North Central State Trail, Iron Ore Heritage Trail, William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail State Park.

On the other hand, you cannot use a Class 2 or Class 3 e-bike on a linear or rail trail unless you are locally authorized, or state authorized, to do so by special permit, or if that trail has been opened for e-bikes through signage. Usually, natural surface trails are designated as non-motorized. Many Michigan hiking and mountain biking trails fall into this category. No e-bikes are permitted on these trails unless the authority having jurisdiction over the trail has authorized this use; and this is rare.

So, prior to planning a trail trip, we strongly recommend contacting the appropriate trail management authority. More information can be accessed here: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/hike-and-bike/ebikes

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY

There are practical concerns for which e-bikers need to adjust, as well. Motorized e-bikes go fast. Trail managers often receive complaints from people who were surprised by e-bikes passing them on the trail. So, it is important to be courteous. No matter where you are on your e-bike, avoid startling hikers, joggers, trekkers, dog-walkers, stroller pushers and horseback riders. We recommend a bell, a horn, or additional “sound accessory” for any bike you purchase.

Additionally, erosion of trails is an issue for managers, who must allow for potential increased trail maintenance, to avoid accelerated damage to dirt trails. For that reason, and many others, it is an e-biker’s responsibility to research the trail around which the biker is planning an adventure.

WE CAN ASSIST

Our experts in both the states of Florida and Michigan are e-biking experts and enthusiasts. If you are a trail manager, please chat with us. If you are buying one of our Segways or Pedegos, we stand ready to assist with research and recommendations for safe and FUN trail-riding. We can help with bike classifications, training, safety, and purchases of e-devices and accessories. Contact us online, or come and visit with us in-person, and bring your whole family!

MICHIGAN

Visit https://greatlakessegway.com for Segways and https://pedegoelectricbikes.com/dealers/walled-lake/ – for Pedegos.

In Michigan, we can also be reached at 248 896-2600 (Sales) and 248 859-5057 (service). Or meet us, in person, at both our Pedego and Segway storefronts at 239 East Walled Lake, Walled Lake, Michigan, 48390, from 9 AM through 5 PM.

FLORIDA:

Visit https://pedegoelectricbikes.com/dealers/mt-dora/ for Pedegos, and https://greatlakessegway.com/florida/ for Segways

In Florida, we can also be reached by phone at (352) 383-9900, or just drop by for our storefronts! Segway of Central Florida: Tuesday through Saturday, 9 AM through 5 PM, 430 North Alexander Street, Mount Dora, Florida, 32757 (Mondays, by appointment)

Mount Dora Pedego: Tuesday through Saturday, 9 AM through 5 PM, 430 North Alexander Street, Mount Dora, Florida, 32757 (Mondays, by appointment)