urce: https://dribbble.com/shots/5987305-E-Bike-Logo-Concept

The Future of E-Bikes on Public Lands – Research Synopsis

August, 2022

Ecological, Cultural, and Historical Resources

Key Findings Areas for Further Research

 One primary study was conducted on e-bike impacts—e-mountain bike 

(eMTB) specifically—on natural surface trails, which demonstrated 

no significant difference in soil displacement between eMTBs and 

conventional mountain bikes.

 Research on conventional bike impacts shows that their presence can 

disturb wildlife and impact ecosystems but less than other activities; 

e-bike impacts are expected to be similar but limited research is 

available.

 E-bikes may serve as an effective alternative to motor vehicles and 

reduce tailpipe emissions; installing charging stations in public lands 

could power e-bikes using renewable energy sources.

 There is only one significant study on the 

impacts of eMTBs on natural surface trails. 

Additional experimental research is needed to 

better understand the impacts e-bikes may have 

on such trails and whether and how they differ 

from other trail uses.

 There is little research on whether e-bikes have 

different impacts on cultural and historical 

resources when compared to conventional 

bicycles. 

 Prior research on mountain bikes could inform 

the methodologies researchers use to focus on 

future eMTBs studies.

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The Federal Highway Administration Western Federal Lands Highway Division and the U.S. DOT Volpe 

Center developed a forthcoming report on the topic of electric “e-bikes” in a public lands context. This 

research synopsis highlights key findings and area for further research (knowledge gaps) from the report.

Findings and gaps are grouped under four research focus areas:

Resources | Safety | Social | Process

Additional details about the study, including information regarding an ongoing e-bikes field experiment, are 

available online: https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/programs-planning/studies/e-bikes 
Safety Factors

Key Findings Areas for Further Research

 Research suggests that crash risk is similar between Class 3 and Class 1 

e-bikes; however, injury severity tends to be higher among Class 3 e-bikers. 

 Overall e-bike injury and conventional bike injury patterns are similar, though 

e-bikers tend to be older and have a higher rate of brain trauma injuries. 

 E-bikes may help to fill an important role as emergency response vehicles 

and support search-and-rescue teams operating in remote areas. 

 A recent study found that e-bike and powered scooter injury patterns differ 

from more traditional pedal operated bicycles. E-bike related injuries were 

more than three times as likely to involve a collision with a pedestrian than 

either pedal bicycles or powered scooters.

 E-bikes provided by rental companies may encourage use by novice riders 

who are unfamiliar with e-bike operation and safety.

 Further research could examine the safety 

differences between traditional bicycles 

and different classes of e-bikes. 

 Further research could study the 

difference in safety risks between e-bike 

classifications. Specifically, research 

could examine whether the presence of a 

throttle on Class 2 e-bikes has an impact 

on safety for users. 

 Additional research could consider typical 

pre-crash conditions on natural surface 

trails to determine whether they differ from 

conditions on paved surfaces.

Safety

Key Findings Areas for Further Research

 Overall e-bike injury and conventional bike injury patterns are similar, 

though e-bikers tend to be older and have a higher rate of brain trauma 

injuries. 

 A recent study found that e-bike and powered scooter injury patterns 

differ from conventional bicycles. E-bike related injuries were more than 

three times as likely to involve a collision with a pedestrian than either 

pedal bicycles or powered scooters. 

 Research suggests that crash risk is similar between Class 3 and Class 

1 e-bikes; however, injury severity tends to be higher among Class 3 

e-bikers. 

 E-bikes may help to fill an important role as emergency response vehicles 

and support search-and-rescue teams operating in remote areas.

 Further research could examine the safety 

differences between conventional bicycles and 

different classes of e-bikes. 

 Further research could study the difference 

in safety risks between e-bike classifications. 

Specifically, research could examine whether 

the presence of a throttle on Class 2 e-bikes 

has an impact on safety for users. 

 Additional research could consider typical precrash conditions on natural surface trails to 

determine whether they differ from conditions 

on paved surfaces.

Social

Key Findings Areas for Further Research

 E-bikes require less physical exertion than conventional bicycles and have the 

potential to support independent mobility for older populations and individuals 

with mobility impairments.

 The high upfront cost of e-bikes is a barrier to e-bike ownership and ridership.

 Surveys demonstrate that some public lands users fear interactions with 

e-bikes on public lands, based on perceived risks.

 E-bikes allow people to ride more miles and/or over a longer period, increasing 

potential benefits and impacts of bicycle use in public lands.

 E-bikes provided by rental companies may encourage use by novice riders who 

are unfamiliar with e-bike operation and safety.

 Further research is needed to examine 

if and how e-bikes change visitor use 

patterns on public lands. This research 

could address how increased e-bike use 

in public lands may affect resources 

and other recreational activities and 

users.

 Additional research may focus on 

what educational resources could be 

disseminated to public land users to 

promote proper etiquette.

Process Management

Key Findings Areas for Further Research

 Bicycle advocacy organization People for Bikes asserts that 

e-bikes are similar enough to conventional bikes that they do not 

warrant different trail design standards. They refer to industry 

standards for sustainable mountain bike trail design and trail 

building process as a resource for land managers.

 There is limited published information on agency coordination 

of managing e-bike use. However, conversations with existing 

land managers demonstrate the value of frequent and recurring 

coordination to effectively manage e-bike use in public lands.

 Further research is needed to determine if trail design 

standards need to be modified to accommodate the 

unique characteristics and rider behaviors on e-bikes. 

 Additional research is needed to determine how land 

management agencies coordinate management 

of e-bikes with other governments and private 

enterprise. This includes studying best practices in 

how Federal and State regulations can better align 

with one another.

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