Oregon State Parks announced that it is considering allowing Electric-Assisted Bikes on select non-motorized trails and on parts of the ocean shore. E-bikes will be allowed only on trails 8 feet wide or wider to "reduce conflicts with existing visitors." If a park manager determines that a narrower trail is appropriate for electric bikes, the rule would give the manager the flexibility to allow e-bikes on it. You can read the proposed rule in its entirety at
Electric bikes have both pedals for human propulsion and an electric motor. Some models provide motorized propulsion only when the rider is pedaling. Others have a throttle, and the motor operates whether the rider is pedaling or not. E-bikes can achieve speeds of up to 20 miles per hour on level ground.
State Parks will be holding hearings on this proposal, and they need to hear from us! Please plan to attend one of these public meetings and let State Parks know what you think.
Public hearings will be held from
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m
.
on the dates and at the locations below.
If you want to speak, you must get there early to sign up!
HOOD RIVER,
April 23
, Hood River Public Library, 525 E State St.
REDMOND,
April 24
, Deschutes County Fairgrounds, Ochoco Room
SALEM,
April 25
, North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St., Room 124
BANDON,
April 30,
Bandon Public Library, 1204 11th St. SW
NEWPORT,
May 1
, Newport Public Library, 35 NW Nye St.
WARRENTON,
May 7
, Warrenton Community Center, 170 SW 3rd
Letters can be submitted to State Parks until 5 pm on
May 18th
. You can email your comments to
OPRD.publiccomment@oregon.gov
or mail them to Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, attn. Katie Gauthier, 725 Summer St NE, Suite C, Salem, OR
97301
.
In the next several days, Oregon Horse Country will provide you with suggested talking points via their website that you can use at the hearings or in your letters to State Parks. In the meantime, please put one of these hearings on your calendar, plan to attend, and bring all of your friends. Let's let State Parks know what we think of this proposal!
Brandi Ebner, IOM
Oregon Horse Country/Oregon Horse Council Executive Director | Publisher of the Oregon Horse Directory | Producer of the High Desert Horse Expo (April 20-22, 2018 @ the Deschutes County Expo Center in Redmond, OR).
