WEST VIRGINIA’S E-BIKE LAW€¦ · WEST VIRGINIA’S E-BIKE LAW FOR THE ROAD » E-bikes are...

With an e-bike, bicyclists can ride more often, farther, and for more trips. Electric bicycles are designed to be as safe as traditional bicycles, do not compromise consumer safety, and benefit bicyclists who may be discouraged from riding a traditional bicycle due to limited physical fitness, age, disability or convenience. In many states, e-bikes are regulated under antiquated laws primarily aimed at combustion engine vehicles such as mopeds or scooters. PeopleForBikes and the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association are clarifying state laws governing the use of e-bikes in the U.S. Every state’s law is different, but the objective is to ensure that low-speed e-bikes are regulated similarly to traditional, human-powered bicycles. » : L A C O L Consult your local land management agency. » STATE: The West Virginia State Parks and Forest does not currently have an eMTB policy. Contact the department for the most up to date information. PeopleForBikes is monitoring this policy and will update this document as needed. » : L A R E D E F The majority of public lands managed for recreation in West Virginia are under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service, where eMTBs are considered motorized vehicles and have access to motorized trails. Contact the U.S. Forest Service Eastern Regional Office for more information. WEST VIRGINIA’S E-BIKE LAW FOR TRAILS » On federal, state, county and local trails, e-mountain bike (eMTB) access varies significantly. » Generally, any natural surface trail that is designated as open to both motorized and non-motorized uses is also open to eMTBs. » eMTBs may not be allowed on trails managed for non-motorized activities. » e d i R . r a e l c n u e r a s e l u r l a c o l e h t e r e h w s a e r a n i B T M e r u o y e d i r t o n o D legally and only on authorized trails to show that mountain bikers are responsible trail users. » c fi i c e p s o t s s e c c a t u o b a r e g a n a m d n a l l a c o l r u o y k s a , t b u o d n i n e h W trails. Local land rules change frequently. eMTB GUIDELINES » Cheat Mountain Loop Huttonsville | 14.5 miles » Hilly Billy Roubaix Monongalia County | 76 miles GREAT eMTB RIDES IN WEST VIRGINIA WEST VIRGINIA’S E-BIKE LAW FOR THE ROAD » E-bikes are defined as “mopeds” under West Virginia law. As “mopeds,” e-bikes are not subject to all of the same rules of the road that apply to bicycles. » As a “moped,” an e-bike is a form of motor vehicle and is subject to motor vehicle laws including licensing, registration, and insurance. » E-bike riders must wear helmets. » E-bike riders must be at least 15 years of age. » E-bikes are not allowed on sidewalks. » Consult your local authority or agency for information regarding whether e-bikes are permitted on bicycle paths in your area. * The following West Virginia laws are referenced: W. Va. Code §§ 17A-1-1(c), 17B-1-1, 17C-1-5a, 17C-15-23, 17C-15-44. Learn more at PeopleForBikes.org/e-bikes » Blogs and webinars » E-bike laws around the country » E-bike statistics and research » e d i u g g n i y u B » s l a i r e t a m r e l i a t e R » eMTB management resources » A map of great eMTB rides at peopleforbikes.org/emtb » eMTB “Adventures” at peopleforbikes.org/e-bikes CHECK OUT WEST VIRGINIA’S E-BIKE LAW WV PeopleForBikes.org

Upload
others
Category

Documents
view
7
download
0

Embed Size (px):

Transcript of WEST VIRGINIA’S E-BIKE LAW€¦ · WEST VIRGINIA’S E-BIKE LAW FOR THE ROAD » E-bikes are...

Page 1: WEST VIRGINIA’S E-BIKE LAW€¦ · WEST VIRGINIA’S E-BIKE LAW FOR THE ROAD » E-bikes are deﬁned as “mopeds” under West Virginia law. As “mopeds,” e-bikes are not subject

With an e-bike, bicyclists can ride more often, farther, and for more trips.

Electric bicycles are designed to be as safe as traditional bicycles, do not compromise consumer safety, and benefit bicyclists who may be discouraged from riding a traditional bicycle due to limited physical fitness, age, disability or convenience.

In many states, e-bikes are regulated under antiquated laws primarily aimed at combustion engine vehicles such as mopeds or scooters. PeopleForBikes and the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association are clarifying state laws governing the use of e-bikes in the U.S. Every state’s law is different, but the objective is to ensure that low-speed e-bikes are regulated similarly to traditional, human-powered bicycles.

» :LACOL Consult your local land management agency.

» STATE: The West Virginia State Parks and Forest does not currently havean eMTB policy. Contact the department for the most up to dateinformation. PeopleForBikes is monitoring this policy and will updatethis document as needed.

» :LAREDEF The majority of public lands managed for recreation in WestVirginia are under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service, whereeMTBs are considered motorized vehicles and have access to motorizedtrails. Contact the U.S. Forest Service Eastern Regional Office formore information.

WEST VIRGINIA’S E-BIKE LAW FOR TRAILS » On federal, state, county and local trails, e-mountain bike (eMTB) access

varies significantly.

» Generally, any natural surface trail that is designated as open to bothmotorized and non-motorized uses is also open to eMTBs.

» eMTBs may not be allowed on trails managed for non-motorized activities.

» ediR .raelcnu era selur lacol eht erehw saera ni BTMe ruoy edir ton oD legally and only on authorized trails to show that mountain bikers areresponsible trail users.

» cfiiceps ot ssecca tuoba reganam dnal lacol ruoy ksa ,tbuod ni nehW trails. Local land rules change frequently.

eMTB GUIDELINES

» Cheat Mountain LoopHuttonsville | 14.5 miles

» Hilly Billy RoubaixMonongalia County | 76 miles

GREAT eMTB RIDES IN WEST VIRGINIA

WEST VIRGINIA’S E-BIKE LAW FOR THE ROAD» E-bikes are defined as “mopeds” under West Virginia law. As

“mopeds,” e-bikes are not subject to all of the same rules of theroad that apply to bicycles.

» As a “moped,” an e-bike is a form of motor vehicle and is subjectto motor vehicle laws including licensing, registration, andinsurance.

» E-bike riders must wear helmets.

» E-bike riders must be at least 15 years of age.

» E-bikes are not allowed on sidewalks.» Consult your local authority or agency for information regarding

whether e-bikes are permitted on bicycle paths in your area.