Photo from the Trails at Jakes Rocks Facebook page Federal officials have issued a draft decision that would permit Class 1 e-bikes on the Trails at Jakes Rocks mountain biking trail system.

Federal officials have determined that allowing e-bikes on the Trails at Jakes Rocks would present “no significant environmental impact.”

That’s according to a draft decision notice released earlier this week.

The draft decision indicates the ANF’s intent to allow Class 1 e-bikes on the trail system. Class 1 e-bikes feature an electronic motor that “assists only when the rider pedals.” Assistance stops when the bike reaches 20 mph.

“My staff and I reviewed relevant research and the public comments submitted on the proposal,” Bradford District Ranger Rich Hatfield said in a statement. “I believe that we can fold Class 1 E-Bike use into the Jakes Rocks Trail System without adversely impacting existing user groups or natural resources in the area.”

The decision document more fully outlines Hatfield’s position.

“Overall, I was unable to find any evidence that natural resource impacts are different or more intense than that of traditional mountain bikes,” Hatfield wrote in the decision. “Other factors I considered were safety and the potential for user conflict with existing Jakes Rocks trail users and e-bike users. I understand that there are different public opinions on the use of e-bikes on non-motorized trails.”

He specifically highlighted the expanded use of the trail system that could come with this decision.

“In closing this draft decision rationale, I want to highlight a recurrent theme in many of the comments that we received: e-bikes allow some mountain bikers and outdoor recreationists to start the sport or continue enjoying an outdoor pursuit as they get older,” Hatfield wrote. “The health benefits of exercise are strongly supported by research and numerous studies. Utilizing an e-bike only includes a pedal ‘assist’; there is still an exercise component related to the use of an e-bike. As a public land manager, I want to encourage the public to get out and exercise and enjoy our public lands. This project allows me to support that objective.”

The draft decision kicks off a 45-day period where objections to the decision can be filed.

“Under the objections review process, only those individuals or organizations that submitted written comments during one of the designated comment periods are eligible to object,” the ANF’s statement explains.

Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes will continue to be prohibited at TAJR under this decision.

“Class 2 e-bikes include a throttle and do not require pedaling. These e-bikes were not considered further for this project. Class 3 e-bikes are very similar to Class 1 e-bikes but have a higher maximum speed (28 mph vs 20 mph for Class 1 e-bikes),” Hatfield explained.

“It seems prudent with this new technology to only approve Class 1 e-bikes in this draft decision.”

A final decision could be authorized as quickly as five days following the end of the objection period, if no objections are filed. Should objections be made, the document states that a “final decision will not be signed until all concerns and instructions… have been addressed.”

A total of 36 comment letters were submitted as part of this project.

Should the decision go through, the document states that the motor vehicle use map and trail signage will be updated to reflect the change.